Oxfam probes Pakistan flood ‘irregularities’

LONDON: Oxfam has launched an investigation into “financial irregularities” in their Pakistan flood relief operation.Accounting firm PricewaterhouseCoopers is conducting an audit after concerns were raised that funds meant for victims in the southern province of Sindh did not reach their intended target.The charity has been providing clean water and temporary shelter kits after an estimated 1,750 people died when floods hit in July last year.”Oxfam is committed to upholding the strictest and most rigorous financial controls and ensuring its programme is being delivered in a transparent and accountable manner,” the charity said in a statement.“Oxfam’s own internal monitoring and auditing system identified the financial irregularity currently being investigated,” it added.The charity said its top priority was to “ensure that donors’ money was spent effectively” to “provide the support expected and committed to poor people in Pakistan.”We are conducting this investigation to allow us to continue to be accountable to the communities that we work with, and ensure improved service delivery in the future,” it added.The charity confirmed it would “not be making any further financial commitments” until the investigation, which is expected to take three to four weeks, has been completed.” – Yahoonews