Corruption | Relief organization in Idlib distributes food baskets for less than their real value on market, and traders buy them for only a third of their value

A relief organization distributed today food vouchers for $18 per voucher, and distributed three vouchers per beneficiary for $54 in the camps of the village of Ma’arat al-Ekhwan, north of Idlib.

The Idlib-based organization “Watan Relief” gave the voucher-holders foodbaskets containing tinned food.

Observatory sources have confirmed that the market value of the food basket does not exceed $9, while the monetary value of these vouchers is 18 U.S. dollars.

Food traders also announced the purchase of one basket for $6, one third of its value according to the relief organization’s pricing. While a number of beneficiaries complained to the distribution official, who told them that the organization had set the full costs of the voucher, including transportation fees, voucher printing and other costs.

The distribution official asked beneficiaries to check with the organization to file their complaints, amid discontent and anger among beneficiaries over the organization’s theft of more than half of the vouchers value, ignoring the suffering of the displaced people in the camps.

People complain about the corruption of relief organizations and the theft of their allowances without accountability, coinciding with the absence of a judicial body that holds corrupt officials accountable and restores rights to claimants.