In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a local NGO, Kesho Congo, fights aid theft with a creative twist: homemade masoso biscuits. In Bukavu, a city in eastern Congo, a small factory churns out these nutrient-packed biscuits. The goal? Deliver direct help to hungry families while dodging the sticky fingers of thieves.
By making aid locally, the NGO keeps resources out of the wrong hands, boosts the local economy, and empowers the community to stand on its own feet. These masoso biscuits – packed with protein and vitamins – target malnourished kids and families hit hard by conflict and poverty.
Aid Theft Hurts the DRC
Aid theft is a massive headache in the DRC. In 2023, the American group GiveDirectly lost $900,000 from its Congo program when insiders pulled off a sneaky fraud scheme. That’s cash meant for struggling families – gone. Worse still, a 2020 investigation uncovered that several NGOs running rapid-response programs in Congo might have lost a jaw-dropping $6 million over two years to scams and corruption.
These losses gut relief efforts, leaving vulnerable people – like kids and refugees – without food, medicine, or hope. Local production of masoso biscuits steps up to tackle this mess head-on.
Masoso biscuits are crafted from locally sourced ingredients to ensure nutritional value and support local agriculture. While specific recipes may vary, these biscuits typically include:
- Masa harina: A fine corn flour made from dried corn treated with calcium hydroxide, providing a distinct corn flavor and soft texture.
- All-purpose flour: Combined with masa harina to achieve the desired biscuit consistency.
- Baking powder and baking soda: Leavening agents that help the biscuits rise and become fluffy.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor.
- Butter: Adds richness and flakiness to the biscuits.
- Buttermilk or whole milk: Provides moisture and tenderness.
These ingredients result in a biscuit that is both nourishing and appealing, aligning with the NGO’s mission to provide direct assistance to those in need while minimizing the risk of aid diversion.
Aid Misappropriation: A Global Problem
Stealing aid isn’t just a DRC issue – it’s a worldwide crisis that wrecks relief efforts. Here’s how it plays out in different corners of the globe:
Ethiopia’s Tigray Conflict
In Ethiopia, the Tigray conflict turned aid into a weapon. Starting in 2020, armed groups blocked food and supplies, starving civilians on purpose. Jan Egeland, head of the Norwegian Refugee Council, sounded the alarm in 2021: “Twelve weeks into the conflict, meaningful aid still hasn’t started.” Eritrean and Amhara forces shut down main roads, stopping help from reaching desperate people. By April 15, 2021, the blockade held strong, leaving millions at risk.
Afghanistan’s Aid Vanishing Act
In Afghanistan, billions of dollars in aid have slipped through the cracks. Between 2002 and 2009, the country raked in $35 billion from global donors. But poverty didn’t budge much. Why? “Tied aid” forced Afghanistan to buy overpriced goods from donor countries, while fat checks went to foreign consultants instead of local needs. The result: crumbling schools, empty clinics, and families still struggling to eat.
Malawi’s Cashgate Scandal
In Malawi, government officials pulled off a heist in 2013 dubbed “Cashgate.” They swiped $32 million in public funds over just six months. When the scam came to light, furious donors froze their aid, leaving development projects – like roads and hospitals – in the dust. Corruption like this shows how weak systems let thieves run wild.
Gaza’s Aid Crisis: Blockades and Bandits
In the Gaza Strip, aid theft fuels a humanitarian nightmare. Armed gangs rule the streets. In November 2024, they hit 98 out of 109 UN aid trucks near the Kerem Shalom crossing – one of the boldest raids yet. Up to 30% of aid entering Gaza gets snatched by these criminals, who sell it on the black market. Chaos reigns, and families starve while thieves cash in.
The Masoso Biscuits Project Proves Local Solutions Can Fight Back
Aid theft and blockades don’t just steal money – they steal lives. In the DRC, Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Malawi, and Gaza, corruption and conflict rip help away from the people who need it most. The masoso biscuit project in Congo proves local solutions can fight back, delivering aid straight to the source. But globally, fixing this mess needs tougher oversight, clearer rules, and a crackdown on thieves – whether they’re insiders, gangs, or governments. Until then, every lost dollar or looted truck pushes vulnerable people closer to the brink.
