AID AGENCY GOAL won’t lose out on US funding after an inquiry was carried out into alleged fraud in the organisation.
A US government report said Goal will continue to receive funding once it adheres to conditions set out by USAID.
In its new two-year agreement with Goal, which was published yesterday, USAID has laid out conditions under which Goal must operate, including not applying for new funding for 12 months.
In April 2016, some funding from the US government’s foreign aid agency was suspended after potential improprieties in procurement practices were uncovered.
At the time, a spokesperson for Goal confirmed to TheJournal.ie that the probe had to do with “alleged supply chain irregularities relating to US sponsored aid programmes in Syria”.
Goal is cooperating fully with the authorities to ensure that all funding intended for humanitarian support is being applied to that end by all parties.
Irish government funding was also withheld from Goal, pending the result of the US investigation.
Turbulent year
In the new report, USAID said Goal immediately undertook measures to address ”ongoing concerns” about issues such as procurement and conflicts of interest.
The charity’s CEO Barry Andrews resigned his position in October, saying it had become clear that Goal required “a fresh start in terms of leadership”.
Goal sought a number of redundancies earlier this year and is currently in merger talks with Oxfam Ireland.
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