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Anti-Corruption Efforts in Finance in Occupied Palestinian Territory

The UK Government has taken a strong stance against corruption in its development programmes, particularly in the occupied Palestinian territory (OPT). As part of its efforts to reduce corruption and improve transparency, the Department for International Development (DFID) is committed to safeguarding UK taxpayers’ money and supporting efforts to combat corruption in the OPT.

Corruption Perception

According to a recent World Bank survey, 66% of Palestinians believe that there is corruption in the public sector, while 40% of beneficiaries of PA services reported having experienced corruption. To address this issue, DFID will continue to ensure integrity and value for money through various measures, including:

  • Ensuring the Palestinian Authority (PA) implements recommendations from beneficiary monitoring programmes
  • Supporting UNRWA in implementing recommendations from its beneficiary feedback exercise

Strengthening Civil Society

DFID’s Palestinian programme aims to strengthen Palestinian civil society, including the media, to monitor the use of public funds and hold government accountable. The program will also push for more transparency in PA’s financial management and budgeting processes.

Joint Donor Approach

Additionally, DFID will promote a robust joint donor approach to tackling corruption through the local anti-corruption donor group.

Improving Transparency at UNRWA

Furthermore, DFID will maintain pressure on UNRWA to further improve decision-making and budget allocation systems and make them more transparent. The program will also provide:

  • Tailored finance training for all staff
  • Joint DFID/Foreign and Commonwealth Office training on corruption and the UK Bribery Act

Commitment to Transparency and Accountability

In a statement, a spokesperson for DFID said: “We are committed to ensuring that our development programmes in the OPT are transparent, accountable, and free from corruption. We believe that by supporting the PA’s efforts to combat corruption, we can help build a more stable and prosperous future for the Palestinian people.”

Resources

For more information on the country programme, please visit the DFID website at https://www.gov.uk/where-we-work/middle-east--north-africa/opt/. Media inquiries can be directed to pressoffice@dfid.gov.uk.