Maungdaw, Arakan State: United Nations Development Program (UNDP) funds have gone awry in Maungdaw Township in Northern Arakan State, Burma, according to a local elder on condition of anonymity. Quite a portion of the funds were alleged to have been siphoned off.

UNDP has been providing money to poor villagers, for agricultural projects, plantation, poultry and cattle farms in Maungdaw Township since 2007. But, this money has not been used properly.   

The UNDP gave money to the villagers in Maungdaw Township through committee members where necessary. It selected villages in Maungdaw Township for its projects. As a result, in 2007 and 2008, it had chosen 80 villages for their projects, but in 2009, it extended its projects to 25 other villages. Hence, it provided money to 105 villages in Maungdaw Township, said a close friend of local UNDP members of Maungdaw north.  

The local UNDP committee members provided money to the poor villagers from June- December projects in 2009. U Toe Naing (27), the UNDP officer  and U Hla Pru Sein (70), the UNDP Officer from Maungdaw Town are the main money providers to the poor villagers. They created some sub-committee members in villages, and funds were provided through them (local committee-members) according to their advice. But, U Toe Sein was transferred to another place on December 31 for misuse of fund. U Hla Pru Sein was one of the former township SLORC (State Law and Order Restoration Council) members and also worked in Township Co-operative department,  said a local schoolteacher.  

On January 3, two village UNDP committee members Nur Islam (37), son of Mokholu and Yunus (25), son of Abul Hussain provided money to the villagers of Maung Nama small village of Maungdaw Township. They provided Kyat 30,000 per family, but they forced villagers to sign on receipts that they had received Kyat 45,000 from local UNDP members. For instance, Sayedullah (27), son of Rashid, Noor Md (45), son of Mon Ali received Kyat 30,000 per family, but they had to sign on receipts that they got Kyat 45,000 each. Both of them belong to Maung Nama small village.

Similarly, on that day, two other local UNDP members namely Hafez Islam   (40), son of Boshir and Enus (40), son of Zar Muluk provided money to the villagers of Maung Nama big village of Maungdaw Township. They provided Kyat 25,000 per family, but villagers were forced to give vouchers for Kyat 35,000.

According to unconfirmed report, quoting one of the UNDP members, UNDP approved Kyat 2.7 million to 2.9 million to Maung Nama small village and Kyat 2.5 million to Kyat 4 million for Maung Nama big village.

The local UNDP committee members appointed a clerk after clubbing three to four villages into one group and misused the money with the help of the clerk. Hla Pru Sein   is the most responsible person for Maungdaw north, said a local elder on condition of anonymity.

Regarding the misuse of money, some of the local authorities appraised the matter to the local Village Development Committee, but they neglected the matter and took no action against the concerned persons, said another local elder.   

Earlier, after providing money to the poor villagers, the local UNDP committee members recollected the money from the villagers after the end of the project year. Some villagers had returned the money to the committee members and some did not.

“We urge the higher authorities to look the matter deeply as the money has gone astray, said a businessman on condition of anonymity.