Executive director of the Peruvian Agency for International Cooperation (APCI), Carlos Pando, revealed that 34 NGOs have carried out irregular activities in the implementation of their projects during 2009.

Pando explained that offences range from presenting false information, to the improper use of resources and non submission of documents. The agencies concerned have a certain timeframe within which to hand over the information required by APCI, otherwise they will either be cautioned, temporarily suspended, or fined up to 50 UIT (Peruvian Tax Units, approximately £40,000).

Renato Ríos, spokesperson for Sustainable Rural Development (DRIS), one of the NGO’s investigated, explained that he found out about the investigation via the media. “We had to contact APCI’s authorities and hand in a formal request to get official information about the ‘alleged’ misuse of resources made by the DRIS.” APCI rectified its report on DRIS case explaining it was “a misinterpretation by APCI’s employees”.