§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What reports have been made by consultants and auditors about financial mismanagement and irregularities at the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees; and what action the United Kingdom is taking, as a major contributor, to ensure that management controls and auditing of UNHCR spending are improved. [HL1140]
§ Baroness AmosThe United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is audited annually by a team of independent auditors whose reports are made public and discussed by UNHCR's Executive Committee of which the UK is a member. UNHCR is required to take action on any areas of financial mismanagement identified by the auditors. 3WA The UK National Audit Office has been elected by the UN to audit UNHCR in 2001.
The Department for International Development (DfID) places additional financial controls on its own funding for UNHCR, monitoring expenditure through regular financial and narrative reports and field visits by our experts. Any concerns we have about financial management are discussed at bilateral meetings with UNHCR and, if necessary, at the Executive and Standing Committees of UNHCR. DfID has made it clear that UK funding for UNHCR is conditional on increased transparency and accountability in the organisation. We therefore welcome UNHCR's adoption of a unified budget and its closer dialogue with donors on financial and policy issues.