US creates institution for detecting corruption in aid for Ukraine

The US has created an institution for monitoring and investigating the illegal actions of fraudsters and corrupt officials that are using the American people’s assistance for Ukraine during Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Source: Ukrainian media outlet ZN.UA; website of the Office of Inspector General of the US Agency for International Development 

Details: On 18 January 2023, a document with the title Joint Strategic Oversight Plan for Ukraine appeared on the website of the Office of Inspector General of the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The document has pointed out once again that the US Congress allocated aid for Ukraine worth more than US$113 billion, and it goes through 11 various state bodies and agencies. 

It is also noted that through planning oversight, the US strives "to identify the areas of highest risk for fraud, waste or abuse". 

Therefore, the US has established the Ukraine Oversight Interagency Working Group, composed of three offices of inspectors general (the US Department of Defence (DoD), the US Department of State (State) and USAID), as well as other offices of inspectors general (OIGs) and oversight entities throughout the US Government. 

In June 2022, oversight personnel from the three OIGs began meeting monthly to coordinate Ukraine response oversight activities.

As of December 31, 2022, the working group includes the following oversight organisations (its OIGs): the Department of Defence, the Department of State, USAID, the Defence Contract Audit Agency, the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Commerce, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Justice, the Department of the Treasury, the Export-Import Bank of the United States, the International Development Finance Corporation, the Government Accountability Office, the Air Force Audit Agency, the Army Audit Agency and the Naval Audit Service.   

This list also includes 17 intelligence organisations that are defined by the term the US Intelligence Community, whose goal is to collect information and conduct intelligence actions for the benefit of the USA. 

OIG teams from multiple agencies have travelled jointly to Ukraine to gain firsthand information about the response. These coordinated site visits build a shared understanding of challenges affecting response efforts and play an integral part in raising awareness of fraud and corruption risks and reporting responsibilities. These engagements include meetings with US officials in the region, Ukrainian authorities, NATO, representatives of other bilateral donors, the United Nations, and other public international organisations participating in the response effort.

Moreover, the DoD, the State and USAID OIGs have criminal investigators based in the United States and Germany focused on the Ukraine response.

In addition, the US Congress appropriated US$42 million for the oversight of US assistance to Ukraine. 

The USAID site also has a message to "report all illegal actions that affect support for Ukraine and its people from the USA promptly and transparently". They have posted banners in English and Ukrainian for this where it is noted how and what can be reported privately. 

"Allegations of retaliation by contractors or grantees against employees who report misconduct affecting US funding will be thoroughly investigated," the message says.

Background: Earlier,  it was unofficially reported that the White House allegedly plans to conclude a contract by February 2023 for the implementation of a three-year initiative aimed at monitoring military and financial domestic assistance provided to Ukraine, called Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Services of Ukraine, or MEASURE.

On 26 January 2023, Victoria Nuland, US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, announced that American auditors were visiting Kyiv this week to ensure the accountability of US military and financial aid.

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