WFP open to Somalia aid probe

2010-03-11 22:20

Nairobi - The World Food Programme (WFP) said on Thursday it was open to an independent probe into its food aid to Somalia, a day after a UN report said up to half of the food aid to the war-wracked country is diverted.

Systematic collusion between transporters of WFP food aid, implementing partners in Somalia and armed groups was behind the food diversion, the UN Monitoring Group on Somalia said in a report seen by AFP on Wednesday.

The Rome-based agency said it "would welcome an independent investigation into its food assistance operations in Somalia", according to a statement.

The Monitoring Group also said that that WFP transportation contracts are the single largest source of revenue in Somalia and three contractors receive 80% of that business, which was worth $200m in 2009.

Integrity

In its response, the WFP said "it would not engage in any new work with three transport contractors named in (the) report..., which alleged they were involved in arms-trading".

"The integrity of our organisation is paramount and we will be reviewing and investigating each and every issue raised by this report," WFP executive director Josette Sheeran said.

"WFP stands ready to offer full co-operation with any independent inquiry into its work in Somalia."

The agency feeds about 2.5 million people in Somalia, mainly in the country's central and southern regions under the hardline Shebab rebels' control.

The al-Qaeda-inspired Shebab last month banned the WFP from operating in Somalia.

WFP Africa spokesperson Peter Smerdon told AFP that the organisation remained determined to help up to one million people who are in need of food aid in the south, "as long as it is safe for our staff to do so".

In January, the food agency had announced the suspension of its operations in southern Somalia, citing months of attacks and extortion by insurgents.

- SAPA