Ramallah – The Coalition for Accountability and Integrity (AMAN) is following with utmost interest currently circulating findings on the distribution of assistance by the Wakfet Izz Fund as outlined in the Annual Report 2020 of the State Audit and Administrative Control Bureau (SAACB). In particular, these findings uncover infractions, which involved the disbursement of assistance to unentitled recipients. Since the moment the Wakfet Izz Fund was established, AMAN stressed the need for an updated, computerised database of rightful beneficiaries as well as selection criteria to ensure an equitable, impartial and transparent distribution of assistance.
The SAACB report findings and data require collaboration with all relevant parties to learn lessons from this experience. Of particular note, in relevant recommendations, AMAN emphasised that the Ministry of Social Development should manage aid distribution in partnership with competent bodies, including governor offices, local government units, emergency committees, etc. This should be based on a participatory plan that joins the forces of other agencies and sectors, such as the private sector and civil society. It would set criteria for the selection of beneficiaries as well as mechanisms for the distribution and storage of humanitarian assistance. All aid distribution operations would be computerised and entered into constantly updated, comprehensive, and practical databases of workers. An insurance fund for Palestinian workers employed in Israel would be created. Government information systems would be developed to be capable of providing a rapid response to crises and disasters.
Crisis and disaster management requires the highest degree of transparency, access to information, and improved partnership with civil society and private sector. This will ensure the most appropriate ways to protect civilians and safe management of the country under exceptional circumstances. While precluding any abuse or disarray, it will promote citizens’ trust in the management of cash and in-kind assistance. AMAN is of the view that multiple emergency response bodies and agencies, which were set up to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic, have largely contributed to ineffective crisis management. The approved disaster response management system in Palestine should, therefore, be officially activated.
