Natural disasters and corruption are both perceived as continuous threats to the people of Indonesia. Natural disasters occur in many and various places, and some 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 are stolen by corruption, the impact of the disaster will be multiplied.
Indeed, the Corruption Act threatens severe punishment for corruptors of natural disaster funds. But corruption still exists. The latest from several cases is the Kejaksaan Negeri (Kejari) Kudus, which on Thursday (22/5) named former District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kudus, SG, as a suspect in the alleged misappropriation of funds in 2012. (Suaramerdeka.com 22 / 5/14).
The threat of severe punishment does not necessarily remove people's interest in corrupting disaster management funds. Opportunities exist because in disaster events, the funds need to be treated as special in urgent settings. 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 to misuse them. However, preventing corruption by returning the process of disbursement of funds according to normal procedures is certainly not applicable in such a situation. Instead of pursuing proper financial management, it would slow down the swiftness of action. Therefore, there should be a system to ensure the distribution reaches the targeted beneficiaries.
Guarding the accountability
Countering corruption in disaster management has become an important issue for disaster-prone institutions. One recommendation 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 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 markups, kickbacks, and extensions of economic rent will become noticeable.
Local authorities need to publicly disseminate disaster-related information in easily accessible locations. Shops, markets, shelters, and places adjacent to places of worship are ideal locations. On the other hand, community institutions need to encourage these initiatives to be realized.
In addition to information disclosure, communities need to be trained and empowered. Various disaster preparedness trainings have been conducted during this time. It would be better if the community were also trained to play a role in the 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. A good mechanism can be identified if there is evidence that people, both individuals and communities, 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 in disbursing emergency funds. Mismanagement will lead to serious problems 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 participate in keeping the process will be executed according to the procedure.
So, in addition to the disaster preparedness community, society has to be strengthened with accountability. This capacity needs to be built in vulnerable areas. Although this is not easy, ultimately, the affected community can benefit from swift government actions.
Arwin Soelaksono
Photo source: http://images.solopos.com/2016/06/antarafoto-logistik-korban-longsor.jpg
Indeed, the Corruption Act threatens severe punishment for corruptors of natural disaster funds. But corruption still exists. The latest from several cases is the Kejaksaan Negeri (Kejari) Kudus, which on Thursday (22/5) named former District Disaster Management Agency (BPBD) Kudus, SG, as a suspect in the alleged misappropriation of funds in 2012. (Suaramerdeka.com 22 / 5/14).
Ease of access to large funds can tempt the authorities to misuse them. However, preventing corruption by returning the process of disbursement of funds according to normal procedures is certainly not applicable in such a situation. Instead of pursuing proper financial management, it would slow down the swiftness of action. Therefore, there should be a system to ensure the distribution reaches the targeted beneficiaries.
Guarding the accountability
Countering corruption in disaster management has become an important issue for disaster-prone institutions. One recommendation 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 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 markups, kickbacks, and extensions of economic rent will become noticeable.
Local authorities need to publicly disseminate disaster-related information in easily accessible locations. Shops, markets, shelters, and places adjacent to places of worship are ideal locations. On the other hand, community institutions need to encourage these initiatives to be realized.
In addition to information disclosure, communities need to be trained and empowered. Various disaster preparedness trainings have been conducted during this time. It would be better if the community were also trained to play a role in the 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. A good mechanism can be identified if there is evidence that people, both individuals and communities, 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 in disbursing emergency funds. Mismanagement will lead to serious problems 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 participate in keeping the process will be executed according to the procedure.
So, in addition to the disaster preparedness community, society has to be strengthened with accountability. This capacity needs to be built in vulnerable areas. Although this is not easy, ultimately, the affected community can benefit from swift government actions.
Arwin Soelaksono
Photo source: http://images.solopos.com/2016/06/antarafoto-logistik-korban-longsor.jpg
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