Audit of USAID/Cambodia"s monitoring of the performance of its HIV/AIDS program

Audit report covers FYs 1999-2001. USAID/Cambodia funding for HIV/AIDS increased from $2.5 million in FY 1999 to $10 million in FY 2001. Efforts have focused on effecting behavioral change and improve sexually transmitted disease (STD) care. Mission activities have targeted high-risk groups, including brothel-based commercial sex workers and their clients (especially uniformed servicemen), freelance sex workers (beer promoters and bar girls), and mototaxi drivers. USAID/Cambodia complied with some of the Automated Directives System (ADS) guidance in monitoring the performance of its HIV/AIDS program. However, the Mission needs to prepare a performance monitoring plan in accordance with USAID guidance, establish performance targets, and assess data quality. USAID/Cambodia must also address several management areas, namely: (1) ensuring that its implementing partner, Population Services International (PSI), has implemented adequate controls over its operations in Cambodia, and (2) establishing performance measures for children affected by AIDS activities. As of the year 2000, the Mission had exceeded the intended results for one of the three indicators reviewed (condom sales), but the audit cannot draw a conclusion on the other two (condom use and STD care). While the reported results for condom use have shown an increasing trend over the last several years, the Mission did not set performance targets for the indicator. Similarly, the Mission did not establish performance targets for the STD care indicator, and a baseline for this indicator has only recently been established. In addition, the Mission should ensure that PSI makes condoms available to provinces outside of Phnom Penh, especially rural areas, where about 83% of Cambodians live, and to military bases in remote locations. Finally, in response to the increased USAID funding for HIV/AIDS, USAID has drafted new monitoring and evaluation guidance that establishes several global targets that USAID is expected to achieve. The guidance also requires missions to monitor and report progress of HIV/AIDS programs using standard indicators. USAID/Cambodia has already established some indicators similar to those required by the guidance and is preparing to meet additional reporting requirements under its recently approved new strategic plan.