One of the implementing partners of the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) in South Central Somalia is accused of fraud linked to emergency assistance and supply of weapons. The alleged fraud has no link to the work DRC carries out in Mogadishu, which is to feed 80.000 people every day.

A recently published UN report alleges that SAACID, an implementing partner of DRC in Mogadishu, is involved in fraud and arms dealing. DRC is currently investigating the accusations, but can confirm that the emergency assistance provided by DRC is not affected by the fraud allegation.

Andreas Kamm, general secretary for DRC, explains: “We monitor closely that the assistance reaches the people in Mogadishu who relies solely on external support, and we have no concerns about fraud in relation to the work that we do in Mogadishu, including the work we do in cooperation with SAACID. DRC has, in Mogadishu, 16 staff members who ensure that all procedures are followed. In addition, we have regular external evaluations of all our activities. Finally, we have a complaints mechanism which allows those who are supposed to receive support from us, in the event that they don’t, to immediately file complaints. And people use this system.”

Danish Refugee Council has therefore not had any reasons to doubt SAACID in the past, but acknowledges that such serious allegations must be considered and investigated. DRC has therefore, jointly with other humanitarian organisations working in Somalia, set up an evaluation of the partnership with SAACID. “Obviously, we have no interest in working with a partner, if evidence shows that fraud has occurred,” says Andreas Kamm.

The Danish Refugee Council works in South Central Somalia despite the fact that many humanitarian organisations have withdrawn from the areas due to the worsening security situation and the difficult working conditions. The conflict has forced hundreds of thousands of people to flee from their homes, and the humanitarian crisis increases daily. DRC has daily distributions of basic necessities such as food and water, and to end this support would have detrimental humanitarian consequences for the people in the country.

“In Denmark there is, among politicians and donors, a keen interest in assisting people at the point of conflict or at least in the vicinity thereof, and when working in conflict affected areas such as Somalia, we monitor closely how assistance is provided and that it reaches the right people. Those in most need of support. Working in a conflict affected area means that conditions are both difficult and dangerous. However, if the basic needs of the people living in this area are not met, the impact will be felt immediately, especially for those who do not have the ability, resources or strength to flee the country,” says Andreas Kamm.

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