Assistance Coordination Unit mismanagement of Syrian aid money

17.4.2014

Question for written answer E-005206-14
to the Commission
Rule 117
Eija-Riitta Korhola (PPE)

As part of the DG ECHO response and expected results of humanitarian interventions[1], an EU contribution of EUR 3 500 000 was provided for to support the capacity development and local administrative structures of the Assistance Coordination Unit (ACU) of the Syrian opposition based in Gaziantep, Turkey.

On 9 January 2014 BBC News Middle East reported on former ACU staff member claims that Syrian aid money is being chaotically managed. According to the former staff members, inadequate monitoring by the ACU has led to millions of euro going unaccounted.

During its first year of operation the ACU received USD 47 million in donations, and by the end of 2012 USD 34 million had already been spent inside Syria. In several cases no proper documentation existed on how the funds had been spent, while all the donors knew was that no proper system was in place and that the matter was not being monitored appropriately. Allegedly, the organisation has also suffered from internal disputes, while paying inflated salaries and having incompetent staff.

1. How has the Commission monitored its funding to the ACU?

2. Have the problems of accountability been resolved on behalf of the Commission?

3. Does the Commission believe that the ACU can continue to receive funding as a member of the opposition? If so, why?

• [1] See Humanitarian Implementation Plan (HIP): Syria Crisis, 24 July 2013.

OJ C 426, 27/11/2014