World Vision statement regarding alleged fraud in Liberia

Washington, D.C., June 4, 2009—In January 2005, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded the Community Resettlement and Rehabilitation Project (CRRP) in Liberia. The CRRP was designed to provide food and work for people emerging from the long civil conflict in Liberia, which created a challenging and unstable civil and social environment. World Vision became a sub-grantee for food distribution and food-for-work projects.

In February 2007, just after the project ended, World Vision received an anonymous tip that lower level World Vision Liberia employees in key positions within this project were diverting food deliveries and building supplies for personal gain. World Vision immediately launched an investigation into the allegations, sending auditors to our field sites. Through this extensive internal audit, World Vision uncovered the nature and extent of the alleged violations and furnished detailed documentation that assisted the U.S. Government’s subsequent investigation.

World Vision has since implemented measures to prevent future occurrences of this sort. For example, we have increased field oversight of programs; improved background check procedures, and funded training programs to increase the ability of local staff to detect and deter fraud. In addition, we have enhanced our international, 24/7 integrity hotline by which World Vision employees can call confidentially if they become aware of any suspicious activity.

World Vision deeply regrets the alleged violations of U.S. law and the trust of donors and intended beneficiaries, by its former Liberian staff members in connection with this program. We will repay any misappropriations for which we are responsible.

We commend and support the efforts of the Office of the U.S. Attorney and USAID in investigating this case. World Vision continues to fully cooperate with the investigation as it has from the outset, and we are grateful that our efforts have been useful in bringing justice in this case.


World Vision is a Christian relief and development organization dedicated to helping children and their communities worldwide reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty. We serve the world’s poor regardless of a person’s religion, race, ethnicity or gender. For more information, please visit www.worldvision.org/press.