Corruption in Emergencies

Humanitarian assistance can be diverted and exacerbate existing corruption. Learn how to better address such risks in emergency situations.

Humanitarian assistance typically takes place in countries with high tolerance for corruption. Though donors and relief agencies are mostly highly intolerant of corrupt practices, they bring substantial resources into suddenly resource-poor environments of which they may have little knowledge. They also target citizens who quite rightly prioritize their families’ survival. This U4 theme examines why humanitarian assistance is prone to corruption for those seeking to improve the effectiveness of interventions.

This U4 Theme Page will enable you, among other things, to:

• Appreciate why humanitarian assistance may be subject to corruption and understand risk areas
• Understand how humanitarian aid providers and recipients perceive corruption
• Learn about methods for preventing or managing the risks of corruption in humanitarian emergencies
• Understand corruption in emergency procurement and the role of the media in preventing corruption in emergencies