Humanitarian Aid Integrity Programme

Transparency International has long held that the most damaging impact of corruption is the diversion of basic resources from the poor. Corruption in humanitarian aid is the most egregious form of this, as it deprives the most vulnerable among the poor - the victims of natural disasters and civil conflicts - of essential life-saving resources.

During the first phase of the programme, an analysis of the 2011 drought response was conducted. Implemented in cooperation with key actors involved in the food assistance sector, including relevant ministries, international and national humanitarian organisations, development partners and beneficiaries, the “Food Assistance Integrity Study”  identifies measures and recommendations to enhance accountability mechanisms that allow for more effective food security programmes. The study also encapsulates the findings of case studies and analyses integrity risks within different food assistance programmes implemented in affected regions in Kenya.

In the coming two years, TI Kenya, in cooperation with Humanitarian organisations and other partners, is committed to continue enhancing integrity in the Humanitarian aid sector as well as to foster citizens’ participation in the design and monitoring of basic services delivered to their communities.

The programme is structured around three components:

Advocacy: national and county advocacy strategies will be drafted in cooperation with humanitarian partners. This will prioritise the advocacy focus at the National level and in three Counties (Wajir, West Pokot and Turkana). We will seek synergies, alliances and joint strategies  from different stakeholders.

Capacity building and best practices exchange workshops for Humanitarian aid and government employees will be conducted in the three counties. This will raise awareness of the risks of corruption in the implementation of aid programmes as well as to present mitigation measures. This will also be an opportunity for different stakeholders to share their experiences and tools to enhance accountability mechanisms in programming.

Community participation: TI Kenya will work in partnership with local partners to raise beneficiaries’ awareness on identified corruption risks and to build their capacity to monitor aid and basic services projects implemented in their community. Social auditors will be trained within community members to hold services providers accountable and to report suspected cases of corruption. TI Kenya will also pilot, together with Humanitarian partners, district/ counties authorities and relevant institutions (i.e.), integrated feedback mechanisms to enhance effective, timely and adequate responses to beneficiaries.

Download the Food Assistance Integrity Study

Watch 'Committees of accountability' feature on how public participation is improving delivery of food aid to communities

For the upcoming events, please see upcoming events