PREVENTING CORRUPTION IN HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE

In the latest man-caused-disaster in Malaysia – the Bukit Antarabangsa Landslide, many of the residents claimed that those who are suppossed to assist them are not doing their job properly instead they are taking advantage and making fortune out of their grievencess..  I choose not to comment on the matter.  SHAHRUL PESHAWAR

Leaders in the humanitarian community have resolved to do more to address the risks of corruption in relief efforts. Preventing Corruption in Humanitarian Assistance documents perceptions of corruption in humanitarian operations through interviews with staff of several leading international humanitarian NGOs. The study was commissioned by Transparency International (TI) and conducted jointly by the Feinstein International Center, the Humanitarian Policy Group at the Overseas Development Institute in London, and TI.

The report finds that humanitarian agencies providing vital relief are aware of corruption risks and have developed a range of policies and practices to prevent it. However, the definition of corruption tends to remain narrowly focused on financial fraud, and the humanitarian community at large has not yet addressed this problem in a comprehensive manner. Humanitarian aid providers would benefit from wider and more systematic exchange on new approaches and best practices, including evaluating their effectiveness in mitigating corruption.

Corr uption in humanitarian assistance has become a concern of increasing importance, at least since the response to the Indian Ocean tsunami crisis in 2004/2005, and reports of other corrupt practices such as sexual exploitation and abuse of the recipients of humanitarian assistance, brought to light earlier this decade. This study is the first attempt to document, from the point of view of humanitarian practitioners, perceptions of the importance of the problem, the constraints to dealing with corruption, and critically, to document best practices for preventing and mitigating corruption.

check this link for better understanding: 

http://www.scribd.com/doc/4595581/Preventing-Corruption-in-Humanitarian-Assistance

 

Bukit Antarabangsa Tragedy: Residents slam ‘selfish’ politicians

KUALA LUMPUR: Political parties have been criticised for taking advantage of the landslide in Bukit Antarabangsa to promote their cause rather than offering help to the victims.

Taman Bukit Utama operations centre committee member Dr Mohamad Rafick Khan said an emergency centre had been set up at the Taman Bukit Utama Tropicana Villa by the residents from day one of the incident to help identify those in need of assistance.

“We have coordinated our efforts with the various aid agencies to determine those who need medical attention and have them airlifted immediately. But political parties have been putting up banners and trying to claim the credit.

“If they are not going to actively help during this period of crisis, then they should just keep quiet and stand aside.

“When the disaster struck, we had expected the parties to come together and help us, not compete and promote their so-called involvement.”
The landslide killed four and destroyed 14 houses.

Dr Rafick said the operations centre assisted all members of the Bukit Antarabangsa community, regardless of their political affiliations, race or creed.

He said eight housing estates and condominiums in Bukit Antarabangsa were getting together to form a residents’ association.

“A proper association is needed to look into the plight of the residents and to help voice their concerns and ensure the social and environmental safety of the area.

“We want to work closely with the authorities to figure out short- and long-term solutions to the problems that have arisen in the aftermath of the landslide.”

The proposed Bukit Antarabangsa residents’ association will comprise representatives from Taman Bukit Utama, Taman Bukit Utama Tropicana Villa, Puncak Bukit Utama, Taman Bukit Jaya, Kyoto Gardens, Oakleaf Condominiums, Laman Oakleaf and Sinaran Ukay.