A mix of global and local partnerships keeps Pakistan donations to Christian World Service free from risk of corruption says national director, Pauline McKay.The head of the Christchurch-based aid and development agency said that she was aware of concerns about donations to help flood ravaged Pakistan falling prey to corrupt Government officials.“I would like to reassure our supporters that our system of working through a trusted network of non government organisations means a clean transfer of funds takes place,’’ said Ms McKay.Appeal funds were routed through the global partner group ACT (Action by Churches Together) Alliance who audit and account for all spending at the end of each specific appeal.The connection with the Pakistan partner group, Church World Service Pakistan/Afghanistan, had been running for over five years. This group had been working in Pakistan for over 50 years.“This means the staff, local networks and infrastructure to begin aid efforts are ready as soon as they are needed.“Funds do not have to be spent on organising the infrastructure for relief, it can be spent on real needs,’’ she said.Both Christian World Service and Church World Service were also both members of HAP (Humanitarian Accountability Partnership).This  global group exists to ensure funds get to where they are needed, recipients get to have a say in what happens, where it happens and when.More about this organisation can be found on their website www.hapinternational.org.CWS international programmes team monitoring expert, Nick Clarke, said that the HAP inclusion in the Pakistan aid project was a crucial point of difference.“It gives them a voice through an internationally recognised benchmark that is crucial when you have a disaster, plus major cultural differences to negotiate.”Mr Clarke who was in Pakistan on a post earthquake monitoring visit in April 2007 said that Pakistan society was deeply conservative.The HAP system meant that there was a dynamic creating ways for the Pakistani people to have a real say in how they were helped, along with a complaints mechanism if they felt the wrong help was on offer.“It also means that there is a clear way through to make sure that the rights and needs of women and children also get a voice and consistent response,’’ he said.Christian World Service in New Zealand was pleased to be able to offer supporters such substantial reassurance about their donations, both in how they were managed and how they were applied.
2 September 2010