The UK’s new Secretary of state for international development, Andrew Mitchell has announced an initiative which promises total transparency for all aid given by the UK.

NEW PLANS FOR AID FUNDING

In his first speech as development secretary, Mitchell announced he is setting up an independent watchdog company to monitor the passage of aid funds and enforcing a review of all spending through multilateral agencies in order to ensure it reaches those who need it most. He is also interested in providing ‘value for money’. He also announced a new UKaid Transparency Guarantee to ensure that full information on all DFID’s spending is published on the departmental website.

Mitchell said:

“We need a fundamental change of direction – we need to focus on results and outcomes, not just inputs.  Aid spending decisions should be made on the basis of evidence, not guesswork. That is why we have taken the first steps towards creating a new independent aid watchdog.

“The UK Aid Transparency Guarantee will also help to create a million independent aid watchdogs – people around the world who can see where aid money is supposed to be going – and shout if it doesn’t get there.”

Actionaid has long campaigned for total transparency within the official aid system as historically, citizens in poorer countries can see little of the donations once it filters through administration or even corrupt hands.

PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

There is no doubt this is an excellent step toward combatting high level corruption within aid systems, however it is fraught with questions concerning how one qualifies success with regard to aid and spending.

Watchdog communities are left to create parameters that judge if aid has been successful, it is not simply a case of ensuring that money reaches the intended recipients, it is a case of reaching those most in need with comprehensive assistance.  Health investments are not as effective without preventative education and nutrition programmes and education initiatives.

It is important that UK citizens have access to this information as it supplies information about where their taxes are going, but it is even more important to that those who are meant to receive this money have this information.

ActionAid uses tools such as notice boards and pictures to show communities where their money is going and we develop our projects with the people they benefit. We also provide training to local organisations and media groups so that they can influence and keep an eye on government spending.