Tsunami Question - Is aid being misappropriated?

"The distribution system is not working," said Nassir Khan Abdurrahman, a Malaysian Red Crescent volunteer who has logged more than 30 years' experience responding to natural disasters in Asia. "They know where to send it, but they have their friends, they have their families." writes Edward Cody Monday, January 3, 2005; in the Washington Post Foreign Service.

"Disturbed by the way things were going, Abdurrahman said, he helped organize a protest Saturday by leaders of non-governmental aid groups to demand a change in the procedure. As a result, coordination of the aid flow out of the warehouse shifted -- at least in principle -- to a civilian logistics specialist from an Indonesian aid organization.

Aid officials from other countries, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were reluctant to be seen as criticizing the Indonesian military, also complained of the army's central role in distributing aid over the last week. For political reasons as well, they expressed eagerness to deal with Indonesia's civilian government rather than its military officers. The issue is particularly sensitive in Aceh province, where Indonesian troops have been fighting a separatist rebel movement with tough, sometimes brutal tactics."

Pete's Points

It appears that while the Indonesian military control the arrival and the distribution of aid there may well be some difficulties with the aid that is pouring into the country reaching all those in need.

What is the Australian government doing to ensure that the millions of dollars in aid that is being so generously donated by individuals and the taxpayers is not being misappropriated?