Aid To War-torn Region Suspended Because Of Fraud

by Gary Snyder

The U.S. government has put more than $200 million in contracts for humanitarian aid to Syria on hold amid fears that corruption is draining money from relief efforts, reports The Washington Post. 

The aid freeze has affected delivery of food, medicine, and other life-saving supplies to Syrian civilians as authorities pursue an investigation the government formally announced in April.

Details of the review and its impact emerged in a Congressional hearing this month. 

The U.S. Agency for International Development has opened 25 investigations, and contracts worth $239 million have been suspended. Global aid charities GOAL, International Medical Corps, and the International Rescue Committee are among the groups under review. They said they are cooperating with investigators. (Chronicle of Philanthropy)

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