Corruption in the NGO sector

 Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are usually connected with helping people, social justice, and international development. They grew a lot after World War II, when countries needed to work together to rebuild and solve problems like poverty, health issues, and human rights. Groups such as Oxfam and Amnesty International were created to reduce inequality and protect basic freedoms.

NGOs usually work as non-profit organisations, which means they do not try to make money. They receive money from donations, government grants, and partnerships with companies. Some also raise money through campaigns, services, or selling products. Even though they are charities, many NGOs manage large amounts of money, employ workers, and run complex organisations, similar to businesses.

However, this complexity can create problems. There have been cases of mismanagement, corruption, and lack of transparency. This has caused concern about how money is used. In some cases, money for aid has been used for personal use, high salaries, or office costs. Corruption in NGOs has included embezzlement , fraud, or nepotism.

A major turning point happened in 2018, when Oxfam was involved in a serious scandal. Reports said that senior staff in Haiti behaved badly and exploited vulnerable people after the 2010 earthquake. The organisation was also criticised for how it handled the situation. Some workers were allowed to leave quietly instead of receiving punishment, which raised questions about responsibility and control.

The results were immediate. Governments reviewed their funding, donors withdrew support, and the public began to lose trust in NGOs. Critics said that weak control systems allowed bad behaviour to continue.

In response, Oxfam introduced stricter rules, better systems for reporting problems, and promised more transparency. However, the damage to its reputation showed a bigger issue: even organisations that want to do good can face corruption.

Today, experts advise people to check NGOs carefully before supporting them. This includes checking official registration, reading financial reports, and understanding how funds are spent. Watchdog organizations help monitor NGOs and make sure they act responsibly.

Despite these problems, most NGOs still work ethically and provide important help around the world. Improving transparency, strengthening rules, and encouraging informed public support are crucial to maintain trust.

📖 1. Vocabulary Match

Part 1

  1. non-profit — A. To hire people not because they deserve it but becase they are family or friends
  2. grants — B. Acting in a good and moral way
  3. transparency — C. Not trying to make money
  4. corruption — D. Openness and honesty in actions
  5. scandal — E. Belief that someone is honest
  6. responsibility — F. Dishonest or illegal behaviour
  7. trust — G. A shocking or bad public event
  8. watchdogs — H. Duty to deal with something correctly
  9. funds — I. An amount of money given by a government or organization for a specific purpose like research or education and that doesn´t need to be paid back 
  10. nepotism  — J. An organization that monitors companies, governments, or institutions to make sure that they follow rules, act ethically, and do not waste money or break laws

Part 2

  1. exploited — K. Very important
  2. complex — R. The absence of something
  3. mismanagement   — L. To make something stronger
  4. lack — M. Following moral principles
  5. embezzlement  — N. Using someone unfairly
  6. ethically — O. Stealing money in a trusted position
  7. strengthening — P. Complicated and not simple
  8. crucial — Q. Doing a bad job at being the leader of a company or a project

🔁 2. Synonym Match

  1. strengthening — A. Harmful use
  2. ethical — B. Improve
  3. responsibility — C. Important
  4. exploited — D. Moral
  5. crucial — E. Money
  6. funds — F. Duty
  7. rules — G.  Problem
  8. issue — H. Regulations
  9. watchdogs — I. Openness 
  10. transparency — J. Monitoring groups

 

3A. Choose one from this list of Top 10 NGOs in the world and share what you know about their work : 

  1. Save the Children
  2. Oxfam International
  3. World Vision
  4. Médecins Sans Frontières
  5. International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies
  6. International Rescue Committee
  7. CARE International
  8. Amnesty International
  9. Open Arms
  10. World Wildlife Fund

3B. Pick from this list of causes and explain why it matters to you personally and globally.

  1. Poverty alleviation
  2. Access to education
  3. Healthcare access
  4. Clean water and sanitation
  5. Hunger relief
  6. Environmental protection
  7. Animal welfare
  8. Disaster relief
  9. Refugee support
  10. Mental health support
  11. Something not on the list 

3C. Controversial Discussion Scenarios. Agree or Disagree?

  • Many NGOs are no more ethical than corporations.
  • “Saving lives is more important than financial transparency.”
  • “Scandals prove NGOs cannot be trusted.”
  • “Donors should control how NGOs spend money.”
  • “Whistleblowers damage organisations more than they help.”

4. Design an NGO:

  • Define your mission
  • Name your NGO
  • Present and defend your organisation

5. SCENARIOS:


1. ⚖️ Ethical Grey Area  

Scenario:
You are managing an NGO project in a country where corruption is common. A local official asks for a “small unofficial payment” to approve your project quickly. Without it, the project could be delayed for months.

Student Task:

  • What do you do?
  • Do you refuse, negotiate, or accept?
  • What are the risks of each option?

2. 💰 Misuse of Funds (Internal Issue)

Scenario:
You discover that a colleague has been using NGO funds for personal expenses, but they argue it’s minor and they will pay it back.

Student Task:

  • Do you report them? Why or why not?
  • How would you handle the conversation?
  • What impact could your decision have?

3. 📸 Representation Problem (Media Ethics)

Scenario:
Your NGO wants to use photos of suffering children to raise money. The campaign will likely be very successful, but it may reinforce negative stereotypes.

Student Task:

  • Would you approve the campaign?
  • How else could you raise funds?
  • Where do you draw the ethical line?

4. 🌍 Cultural Conflict

Scenario:
Your NGO promotes gender equality, but in the local community, some practices clearly discriminate against women. The community resists your intervention.

Student Task:

  • Do you adapt your approach or push for change?
  • How do you avoid imposing external values?
  • What would be your strategy?

5. 🚨 Emergency vs Procedure

Scenario:
During a crisis, you bypass official procedures to deliver aid faster. Later, you are criticized for not following protocol.

Student Task:

  • Do you defend your actions?
  • Is breaking rules ever justified?
  • What would you do differently next time?

6. 🤝 Questionable Donor

Scenario:
A large corporation offers a huge donation, but it has a poor environmental and human rights record.

Student Task:

  • Do you accept the money?
  • Does the “good outcome” justify the source?
  • How would you explain your decision publicly?

7. 🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Volunteer Conflict

Scenario:
Two volunteers are in conflict: one is highly effective but rude and disrespectful, while the other is kind but inefficient.

Student Task:

  • Who do you prioritize?
  • How would you resolve the conflict?
  • What values matter most in your NGO?

8. 📉 Project Failure

Scenario:
After two years, a major project has failed to achieve its goals despite significant investment.

Student Task:

  • Do you admit failure publicly?
  • How do you report this to donors?
  • What lessons would you take from this?

9. Fill in the Blanks:

1. One of the reasons these NGO´s commit the crime is because they think will most probably not get caught. This means that they usually

                                                            .

2.If they do get caught, and receive only a tiny punishment, this means they receive                                                            .

3. If the police are aware that the crimes are happening but are deciding to ignore it, then they are

                                                            .

4. If a new law is introduced, where the penalty for NGO corruption  is to spend their lives in jail, it means they will receive a                                                        .

5. If the corruption problem in NGOs has been getting a lot of attention around the world, then it is                                             .

6. If the problem of corrupt NGOs is something that is very common and undersirable, we can say that NGOs are a                                  for corruption.

7. If a student is finishing their studies and want to work in an NGO as part of their education, then they want to do an                                at the NGO. 

8. If the president of the NGO decides to quit their job, then the president is 

                                                              from their position.

9. If the president must resign because he was caught using the NGO´s money for personal reasons, then this is called                               .

10. If the actions of the NGOs has made people very suspicious about donating money to them, then they have lost the public´s                               .

 

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