Transparency Key To Public Trust In Humanitarian Aid, Says NGO

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 28 (Bernama) -- Humanitarian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been urged to adopt a more transparent and proactive approach to address public doubts over donation collections, particularly for humanitarian missions in Palestine.

To boost public confidence, especially among donors, measures such as adopting an open-door policy for scrutiny and allowing media practitioners to accompany missions on the ground should be set as benchmarks for all NGOs involved.

Muslim Care Malaysia Society (MCM) president Zulkifli Wahijan said any misconduct or misappropriation involving public donations was deeply regrettable and must be avoided at all costs.

“It would be most unfortunate if there were leakages in the delivery of aid, especially to the people of Gaza.

This is a trust, and it also reflects the hopes of Malaysians that their contributions reach those in need,” he told a press conference during MCM’s Ramadan breaking of fast charity event ‘Bahu Untuk Gaza’ here tonight. 

Sharing transparency mechanisms that NGOs could adopt, Zulkifli said every aid distribution should be properly documented with multiple forms of evidence, including video recordings, and donors should be informed of the status of assistance within a reasonable timeframe.

“We are open to visits. Anyone can come to our office at any time. We are also prepared to bring interested parties with us, such as donors or companies who want to ensure their aid reaches its destination, to places like Egypt.

“The following month, we can update donors that the aid has reached Gaza and has been received,” he said.

Zulkifli said MCM is among nine NGOs recognised under the ‘Ops Ihsan’ secretariat overseen by the Foreign Ministry to manage and coordinate various humanitarian aid missions by Malaysians to the Gaza Strip.

-- BERNAMA