Is it permissible to give zakat to a foreign humanitarian organization that disburses only 10% of it to the poor and needy, allocating the remainder to staff and operational expenses?

It is permissible to appoint an agent for the distribution of Zakat, but it is not permissible to authorize an organization that takes from Zakat in exchange for its agency, unless it takes it in its capacity as one of those employed to collect it, and it is under the authority of a Muslim ruler who has authorized it to collect Zakat. It is not permissible for an association to use any of the Zakat funds for its own expenses, or the salaries of its employees, or the rent of its premises. Rather, it should seek these from the voluntary charities and donations of benefactors. It is also not permissible to give obligatory Zakat to non-Muslims or to organizations whose activities are not specific to Muslims, such as UNICEF.