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UN Official Slams Report on Somalia Food Diversion

   Lisa Bryant 25 March 2010

   The  United  Nations  aid  chief  in  Somalia  says  a report alleging
   widespread  corruption  in food aid deliveries is unsubstantiated, and
   has caused donor countries to withhold funding.
   In a letter obtained by news agencies Thursday, the U.N.'s Mark Bowden
   said  the  allegations have generated bad publicity, and have affected
   humanitarian   assistance   to  Somalia,  where  more  than  half  the
   population is in need of aid.
   Bowden  was referring to a report, widely publicized two weeks ago, in
   which  U.N. investigators said up to half of the food aid intended for
   hungry  Somalis  is diverted to Islamic militants, corrupt contractors
   and local U.N. workers.
   The  U.N.  Monitoring  Group  on  Somalia said in the report that food
   transporters,  armed  groups  and other players often work together to
   sell food aid illegally and split the profits.
   In  his  letter, Bowden said the investigators' estimates of diversion
   are  not  based  on  facts  but  rather  on "hearsay and commonly held
   perceptions."
   Bowden  said  U.N.  agencies  are doing their best to limit risks in a
   complex environment that has long been dominated by violent conflict.
   The  World  Food Program Executive Director Josette Sheeran reiterated
   Thursday  that there is "zero evidence" for the report's claims.  She
   welcomed any external investigation.
   Food  supplies  are  often uncertain in Somalia after years of drought
   and unrest.
   The  U.N.  agency  says it supplied food to 3.3 million Somalis during
   2009.   It  recently  suspended  food  deliveries in southern Somalia
   because  of what it called threats and unacceptable demands from armed
   groups.
   Among its recommendations, the U.N. Monitoring Group on Somalia called
   for rebuilding the WFP's distribution network in Somalia.

   Some information for this report was provided by AP and Reuters.

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