Reports of Corrupt Practices in Cross-Border Aid to Syria

Aid organizations providing life-saving assistance in Syria and the surrounding region face an extremely high-risk environment.  Lack of fully competitive procurements, insufficient oversight, and the absence of adequate internal controls for obtaining, storing, and delivering relief supplies can jeopardize the integrity of these relief efforts and deny critical aid to those in need.   

Aid organizations providing life-saving assistance in Syria and the surrounding region face an extremely high-risk environment.  Lack of fully competitive procurements, insufficient oversight, and the absence of adequate internal controls for obtaining, storing, and delivering relief supplies can jeopardize the integrity of these relief efforts and deny critical aid to those in need.   

To date, OIG's investigation has established grounds resulting in the suspension of 14 entities and individuals involved with aid programs from Turkey.  As a result of the suspensions, these parties are no longer able to receive U.S. government awards.  A portion of USAID-funded cross-border programs in Syria were suspended as a result of this investigation, and several NGOs delivering aid to Syria have terminated staff members' employment based on demonstrated misconduct. 

USAID OIG will continue to promote integrity and accountability in cross-border aid programs for Syria and routinely coordinates with the oversight and accountability offices of other international donors. 

Those with information involving fraud, waste, or abuse in USAID programs in Syria and around the world are urged to contact USAID OIG.  Reports can be made directly and confidentially through OIG's hotline at 1 (800) 230-6539 or (202) 712-1023 in the United States.  Complaints can also be sent via email to [email protected], or submitted through OIG's web site at: https://oig.usaid.gov/content/oig-hotline.