Transparency and accountability in international assistance: The case of Lebanon

Wherever there are funds flowing, there is a risk of corruption. That’s a fact anywhere in the world and international aid, despite its humanitarian intent, is unfortunately no exception. In the event of a crisis, corruption risks are further compounded because standard controls either simply do not apply or because they take a back seat in the name of urgency. In Lebanon, corruption is already very high – for 2020, the corruption perception index (CPI) score and rank are 25/100 and 149/180 respectively – and crisis mode intensity is actually threefold, owing to the financial meltdown, the pandemic situation, and the aftermath of the Beirut Port explosion. In other words, the risk of international assistance funds to Lebanon being lost to corruption is not just high, it is skyrocketing! The obviously nagging question is therefore: what can be done about it? And yes, there is something to be done. ACCOUNTABILITY