Misappropriation scam hits Sindh flood victims amidst international corruption fears

ISLAMABAD - Amidst international concerns over the misuse of funds meant for flood victims owing to the massive corruption prevalent in the country, reports of misappropriation of government funds in Pakistan’s Sindh province have come to light.

According to reports, the Sindh government has been releasing seven million rupees daily for supplying food to the flood-hit people who have taken refuge in various relief camps in Sukkur.

However, people at these camps complained about lack of food and other relief materials.

Fingers are being raised at officials, who are involved in relief work, with people blaming them for diverting funds meant for flood victims, The Nation reports.

The report comes at a time when the United States has told Pakistan that it would not tolerate corruption in the distribution of aid and relief in the flood-hit country.

Speaking to media persons during a regular briefing here, State Department spokesman Philip J Crowley said the Obama administration wants the aid meant for the Pakistani flood victims to reach them directly.

“We will not tolerate corruption. The assistance that we are providing is for the people of Pakistan. We want to see this assistance get directly to the people of Pakistan,” Crowley said.

“In terms of assistance, there is all kind of assistance. Some of it is direct support through our military stocks directly to the Pakistani people. In some cases, it’s through non-governmental organisations,” he added. (ANI)