The initial scandal involving Goal emerged in late April as it was revealed that foreign aid agency USAid had suspended its funding of the charity after uncovering improprieties in procurement practices in Syria.
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Goal’s chief executive, Barry Andrews, was informed that the funds were being held back “until we have clarification on the ongoing United States investigation”, an email from the Department of Foreign Affairs – released under a Freedom of Information request – stated.
News of the decision was contained in documents released to The Irish Times under the Freedom of Information Act.
The Irish government is withholding funds from the aid agency Goal after a U.S. government inquiry into fraud relating to the distribution of humanitarian contracts for Syria.
That suspension is still in place, although it’s understood that it only affects in the region of €6.2 million of the overall €113 million that the charity receives from USAid.
“We have managed to shore up some of the gaps”.
“We have many other funders in Syria, those programmes continue”.
Goal is one of up to 25 agencies…
He said the agency had robust governance structures, including a whistle-blowing mechanism, “very serious anti-fraud measures. and a very strong audit and risk committee”.
Goal CEO Barry Andrews was informed of the decision in June “until we have clarification on the ongoing U.S. investigation” – the newspaper reports.
Possibility of fraud Notwithstanding these checks and balances, he said, it was impossible to fully exclude the possibility of fraud in the future.
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However ultimately, he said, it was the one million beneficiaries in Syria that were immediately affected by the suspension of funding and they wanted to get back to work.
