The Audit Office of Suriname has released a damning report revealing that the Ministry of Social Affairs and Housing (SoZaVo) unlawfully distributed financial aid to individuals with disabilities and vulnerable households in 2023. The social benefits, channeled through the Moni Karta system, lacked a legal foundation and were issued based on outdated directives with no legal validity. This mismanagement involved hundreds of millions of Surinamese dollars, which, according to the Audit Office, had no legitimate basis. The 2023 State Budget had allocated over SRD 476 million for these groups. The report highlights that no resolution or State Decree exists to regulate these payments, with the ministry relying on 1999 and 2023 missives that hold no legal weight. During the investigation, the Audit Office examined 43 case files across district offices in Paramaribo, Wanica, and Para, uncovering severe deficiencies. These included missing medical certificates for individuals with disabilities, incomplete utility receipts, inadequate documentation for minors and guardianship cases, and chaotic, entirely manual record-keeping without digital registration. The Audit Office warns that these flaws increase the risk of fraud and improper payments, such as disbursements to deceased individuals or duplicate aid within a single household. The report also criticizes the lack of internal controls within SoZaVo, noting that 2022 guidelines are inconsistently applied and that the Internal Control Department fails to conduct systematic verifications. The Audit Office urges the government to urgently establish laws and regulations governing social assistance, preferably through a State Decree or resolution. It also calls for stricter oversight on dossier completeness, mandatory medical certifications, clear address registration, and regular audits. The ministry has yet to respond to the Audit Office’s draft report, leaving it unclear whether necessary reforms and legislation will be implemented promptly.