Assessment of corruption in the humanitarian assistance in Puntland State of Somalia
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JFC-02-2019-0017 |
| Date | 03 February 2020 |
| Pages | 104-118 |
| Published date | 03 February 2020 |
| Author | Abdinur Abdirisak Sofe |
| Subject Matter | Accounting & Finance,Financial risk/company failure,Financial crime |
Assessment of corruption in the
humanitarian assistance in
Puntland State of Somalia
Abdinur Abdirisak Sofe
Department of Development Studies, Admas University, Garowe, Somalia and
Center for Policy Alternatives, Garowe, Somalia
Abstract
Purpose –Corruptionin humanitarian aid is one of the most worried and worst problems aroundthe world.
The existenceof corruption acts in humanitarian aid deliverycan endanger the already susceptible lives of the
neediest individualsin the community. Amid serious humanitarian allegationin the country, this study aims
to capture meaningfulinsights in humanitarian aid corruption in PuntlandState of Somalia.
Design/methodology/approach –The study applied qualitative method and used interview as a
technique of data collection.The information obtained through the interview was analyzedby quoting and
narrationforms.
Findings –The findings indicatednumerous acts of corruption in all project stages including corruptionin
project granting and humanitarian staff employment, distortion of project targets and diversion of
humanitarian project from targeted communities. The research also found that governmental and non-
governmentalactors are involved in the humanitarian corruption such as projectmanagers and support staffs
in additionto line ministries,parliament and community representatives.
Research limitations/implications –Corruption is a taboo and is difficult to research; people do
not want to share the information for fear of victimization. Concerned institutionswerenotwillingto
provide necessary materials which led to shortage of secondary data. Another problem encountered
during the study has been that the humanitarian stakeholders (for instance, government, non-
government and private institutions) acted reluctantly to cooperate because of suspicion that disclosing
information may lead to negative effect on their business. To overcome the challenges, the study
assured the confidentiality of the members and that information collected would be used for research
purposes only. The study further combined various tools of data collection so that the weakness of one
tool becomes the strength of the other; while the researcher made efforts to build rapport with the
research participants.
The research was undertaken at the request of Kaalo Aid and Development Organization through the
Sponsorship of National Endowment for Democracy (NED) where its basis originally stemmed from
the passion to enrich the governance knowledge in the country and help the fight against corruption.
As the society wills to reach its envisioned statehood, there will be a greater need to study current
pressing challenges blocking the road to the ambition. Thus, the research aims to increase the
knowledge body and information in corruption. It is confined to the perception of participants and
found secondary data. However, it does not intend to denounce the wrongdoings of any specific
institution.
In fact, this would not have been possible without a strong facilitation of the almighty Allah. After
that I would like to appreciate the conversant adviser Ahmed Muse (Doctoral Researcher) who has
provided guidance throughout the research process.
The author is grateful to those institutions and individuals for their participation and help in the
research process. It is also worth noting that their responses do not necessarily reflect the behavior of
the organizations they are selected from, instead their views are generic and based on their
experience in the field.
Thank you all.
JFC
27,1
104
Journalof Financial Crime
Vol.27 No. 1, 2020
pp. 104-118
© Emerald Publishing Limited
1359-0790
DOI 10.1108/JFC-02-2019-0017
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