Natural disaster and corruption both are perceived as continuous threat to the people of Indonesia. Natural disaster occurs in many and various places and some of them occur at the same time and even repeatedly. On the other hand corruption also occurs in many places. However, if the funds devoted to natural disaster management is stolen by corruption, the impact of the disaster will be multiplied
Indeed, the Corruption Act has stated the threat of severe punishment for corruptors of natural disaster funds. But the corruption still exist. The latest from several cases is the Kejaksaan Negeri (Kejari) Kudus, on Thursday (22/5) named former District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kudus, SG, as a suspect in alleged misappropriation of funds in 2012. (Suaramerdeka.com 22 / 5/14).
The threat of severe punishment does not necessarily remove the interest of people to corrupt disaster management funds. Opportunities exist because in disaster events to use the funds needs to be treated as special in urgent setting. So the treatment that generally requires a long process under normal circumstances can be excluded. In disaster relief, help needs to be provided quickly because every hour is meaningful.
Ease of access to large funds can tempt the authorities on misuse the funds. However, preventing corruption by returning the process of disbursement of funds according to normal procedures is certainly will not applicable in such situation. Instead of pursuing to achieve proper financial management, it would slow down the swiftness of action. Therefore it should be a system to ensure the distribution would be reach the targeted beneficiaries.
Guarding the accountability
Countering corruption in disaster management has become an important issue for disaster-prone institutions. One of the recommendations is community involvement. According to Transparency International, the involvement of affected communities and vulnerable groups in every level of preparedness planning will provide two additional benefits. The first is the minimization of the risk of corruption and the subsequent establishment of a sense of ownership of the group. (International Development Committee, 2006).
Disaster-affected communities are often only seen as parties that need help. But in fact they have the potential as a guardian of transparency and accountability. Although they are laymen but by building systems that encourage their involvement, corruption loopholes can be closed.
Community involvement will prevent asymmetric information in disaster management. All parties need to know and monitor damage data and losses of public property and public infrastructure. Thus manipulation by inflating the value of loss can be prevented. Communities need to know the parties involved in disaster management and post-disaster recovery. So the public can monitor the parties who get the tender for the rehabilitation of public infrastructure or the distribution of aid. Violations in the form of mark ups, kick-backs, extension of economic rent will become noticeable.
The local authorities need to publicly disseminate disaster-related information in an easily accessible locations. Shops, markets, shelters and places adjacent to the place of worship are ideal locations. On the other hand, community institutions need to encourage this initiatives to be realized.
In addition to information disclosure, communities need to be trained and empowered. During this time, various trainings have been conducted for the community in disaster preparedness. It would be better if the community were also trained to play a role in accountability function. This training will enable the public to assess the appropriateness of the rules and forms of assistance provided.
Furthermore, a complaint mechanism should be strengthened. Good mechanism can be identified if there is evidence that people both as individual and communal can report on misappropriate practices. On the other hand the speed of responding is also a part that needs to be developed in order to encourage more public participation.
Accountability and disaster preparedness
One of the difficulties in disaster management is the apprehensiveness of the authorities to disburse emergency funds. Mismanagement will lead to serious problem for the authorities. The common question is who can keep the funds being used in accordance with the applicable rules. Therefore it should be a space where people contribute to oversight. Many parties can be participated on keeping the process will be executed according to the procedure.
So in addition to disaster preparedness community, the society has to be strengthened with accountability. This capacity needs to be built in vulnerable areas. Although this is not easy but ultimately the affected community can be benefited with swiftness of government actions.
Arwin Soelaksono
Photo source: http://images.solopos.com/2016/06/antarafoto-logistik-korban-longsor.jpg
Indeed, the Corruption Act has stated the threat of severe punishment for corruptors of natural disaster funds. But the corruption still exist. The latest from several cases is the Kejaksaan Negeri (Kejari) Kudus, on Thursday (22/5) named former District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kudus, SG, as a suspect in alleged misappropriation of funds in 2012. (Suaramerdeka.com 22 / 5/14).
Ease of access to large funds can tempt the authorities on misuse the funds. However, preventing corruption by returning the process of disbursement of funds according to normal procedures is certainly will not applicable in such situation. Instead of pursuing to achieve proper financial management, it would slow down the swiftness of action. Therefore it should be a system to ensure the distribution would be reach the targeted beneficiaries.
Guarding the accountability
Countering corruption in disaster management has become an important issue for disaster-prone institutions. One of the recommendations is community involvement. According to Transparency International, the involvement of affected communities and vulnerable groups in every level of preparedness planning will provide two additional benefits. The first is the minimization of the risk of corruption and the subsequent establishment of a sense of ownership of the group. (International Development Committee, 2006).
Disaster-affected communities are often only seen as parties that need help. But in fact they have the potential as a guardian of transparency and accountability. Although they are laymen but by building systems that encourage their involvement, corruption loopholes can be closed.
Community involvement will prevent asymmetric information in disaster management. All parties need to know and monitor damage data and losses of public property and public infrastructure. Thus manipulation by inflating the value of loss can be prevented. Communities need to know the parties involved in disaster management and post-disaster recovery. So the public can monitor the parties who get the tender for the rehabilitation of public infrastructure or the distribution of aid. Violations in the form of mark ups, kick-backs, extension of economic rent will become noticeable.
The local authorities need to publicly disseminate disaster-related information in an easily accessible locations. Shops, markets, shelters and places adjacent to the place of worship are ideal locations. On the other hand, community institutions need to encourage this initiatives to be realized.
In addition to information disclosure, communities need to be trained and empowered. During this time, various trainings have been conducted for the community in disaster preparedness. It would be better if the community were also trained to play a role in accountability function. This training will enable the public to assess the appropriateness of the rules and forms of assistance provided.
Furthermore, a complaint mechanism should be strengthened. Good mechanism can be identified if there is evidence that people both as individual and communal can report on misappropriate practices. On the other hand the speed of responding is also a part that needs to be developed in order to encourage more public participation.
Accountability and disaster preparedness
One of the difficulties in disaster management is the apprehensiveness of the authorities to disburse emergency funds. Mismanagement will lead to serious problem for the authorities. The common question is who can keep the funds being used in accordance with the applicable rules. Therefore it should be a space where people contribute to oversight. Many parties can be participated on keeping the process will be executed according to the procedure.
So in addition to disaster preparedness community, the society has to be strengthened with accountability. This capacity needs to be built in vulnerable areas. Although this is not easy but ultimately the affected community can be benefited with swiftness of government actions.
Arwin Soelaksono
Photo source: http://images.solopos.com/2016/06/antarafoto-logistik-korban-longsor.jpg
