Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – The Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) is facing serious concerns regarding the oversight and accountability of a $153 million social assistance program funded by the World Bank. The program, known as the Baxnaano Project, is designed to provide aid to vulnerable families in Somalia, but transparency issues have surfaced, particularly regarding the disbursement of funds and the sharing of beneficiary data.
According to the report from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG), released on Saturday the World Food Programme (WFP) has failed to provide the Somali government with beneficiary data on the families receiving aid. This lack of transparency has raised questions about whether the funds are reaching the intended beneficiaries. The WFP, which is responsible for the management and disbursement of these funds, has not shared any data on the recipients of the social assistance, making it impossible for the Somali government to independently verify that the funds are being used properly.
"The World Food Programme has not submitted the necessary beneficiary data, which is essential for monitoring and ensuring that the social assistance reaches the correct recipients," stated a government official familiar with the matter.
Furthermore, the amended agreement between the FGS and WFP, which was supposed to include the sharing of this data, was not formally registered with the OAG, raising additional concerns about the legal and financial oversight of the program.
The financial report revealed that a total of $153,810,594 was allocated for the social assistance program in 2024, all of which was managed and disbursed by the WFP. While the funds were intended to support Somali families in need, the lack of transparency regarding the use of these funds is creating uncertainty about their effective distribution.
"The absence of registration of the amended agreement and the lack of shared data undermine public trust in the management of these critical funds," the report further emphasized.
As Somalia continues to navigate its humanitarian challenges, the issue of transparency in aid distribution remains a pressing concern. The Somali government has called for improved cooperation from the WFP and other partners to ensure that such programs can be effectively monitored and audited to guarantee the proper use of public funds.
This report comes amid ongoing efforts to improve governance and accountability in the country's financial management, as Somalia works to strengthen its institutions and secure sustainable aid for its population.