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Anti-corruption and assistance in vulnerable states

Book review written by Gro Skaaren-Fystro
Norway should continue to be a spearhead in the fight against corruption.

(THIS ARTICLE IS ONLY MACHINE TRANSLATED by Google from Norwegian)

Corruption is destructive to economic and social development and undermines equitable distribution. This year's Transparency International Corruption Perception Index also shows that vulnerable states characterized by war, crisis and conflict have widespread corruption problems. All focus countries for Norwegian aid are in the lower half of this index, and we know that the harmful effects of corruption are greatest for the civilian population in these countries.

Systematic work. Afghanistan, located at 169. place (by 176), is the country that has received the most aid from Norway in recent years, with just over 8 billion from 2001 to 2014. The Godal Committee's report (NOW 2016: 8) on Norway's efforts in Afghanistan is very critical and shows that the results are not in proportion to the efforts. "The combination of large cash flows, weak institutions and considerable time pressure contributed to the emergence of widespread corruption both in the Afghan state apparatus and in international and local organizations." The report also stated that it was too late to fight the corruption.

In the Foreign Minister's report to the Storting in January, it was emphasized that the Norwegian authorities have in recent years worked systematically with the Afghan authorities. . .

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Gro Skaaren-Fystro
Skaaren-Fystro is a special advisor in Transparency International Norway.

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