The Charity Commission has announced it has opened two separate statutory inquiries into organisations set up to help deliver aid to Syria.

The inquiries, announced in the same week that the UK government announced it will give asylum to 500 of the most vulnerable Syrian refugees, concern Aid Convoy, a newly-registered charity and Syria Aid, registered with Companies House.

Aid Convoy describes itself as an international humanitarian organisation committed to assisting victims of disasters and wars and whose current appeal is for people affected by the conflict in Syria.

A Commission spokeswoman said its inquiry into the charity was examining issues relating to the end use of charitable funds, and whether there has been any mismanagement or misconduct by charity trustees.

Syria Aid is a company, whose objects include the provision of humanitarian aid to those affected by the crisis in Syria. Syria Aid is not currently registered as a charity with the Commission, but the regulator is satisfied that the organisation is charitable and should be registered, and that it has jurisdiction over the funds raised by the company.   

The Commission wants to ensure the charity is registered and has proper governance systems in place, in particular a sufficient number of trustees to operate, and proper financial management arrangements. The inquiry will also examine concerns about its application of its funds.

The Commission’s investigation into Aid Convoy began on 30 August; that into Syria Aid began on 20 December 2013. The Commission has not yet formed any conclusions in either case and will continue to consider what regulatory actions, if any, it might need to take.