Corruption: Humanitarian Truth

The DNA of corruption has mutated through the ages across different regions. Humanitarian actors do not want to face the possible reality. Out of a total Usd 149b overseas development aid, approximately 45% of these aid funds do not achieve the intended results or reach the neediest in the world.

Corruption is a term that humanitarian actors avoid at all costs. Perhaps, to delve into the term will give us a glimpse of how corruption has been perfected in aid agencies across the world. According to H.L Menken, for every problem there is a solution that is simple, direct and wrong. In reference to the current humanitarianism, NGOs tempt to be part of the solution to create a little longer lasting solutions. Terms such as nationalization, re-engineering, restructuring, re-organization, re-alignment etc are often used deja vu to enhance their presence in a region that looks desperately for immediate intervention and economic generating activities.

While NGO workers are known to live a life of extravagance, freewheeling with power and prestige, their subjects whom are often called beneficiaries or partners wallop in cycles of pernicious, perpetual penury.

As the world tackle the Covid19 pandemic, a new wave of consultants are ready to take advantage and swing with baskets for donations and grants. 40% of the funds raised are often used for the comfort of the expatriate staff while less than 20% for supporting the national human capital.

Its always common for NGOs to work with stakeholders including government. Some work with militia groups to deliver essential services. The corruption cartel is heighten as bribes and kickbacks are termed to as 'facilitation fee, public relations, government relations etc'. The worst department that often than facilitates such corruption is logistics where security, supply chains/procurement, fleet/transport warehousing, facilities management etc fall under.

What is corruption, then as viewed in humanitarian sector? There is a thin line of this definition to the dictate of ethical practices. Corruption is fraudulent act: using one's position to gain unwarranted advantage by circumventing the laid down rules of engagement either internal controls, disrespecting thresholds etc. Corruption erodes trust, weakens transparency, hampers economic development and further exacerbates inequality, poverty, social division and the environmental crisis.

Corruption in humanitarianism is demonstrated through the following examples: expenditures on luxurious things and increased office overheads, inflation of costs, collision with-suppliers/service providers, bad governance of resources and not meeting organization objectives either in short or long term, diversion of funds for courses other than those that are crucially needed for intervention, procurement of goods and services international when there are easily available local solutions

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