DEC EXPRESS | May 2020

The DEC Express is a monthly newsletter that features materials in the DEC, including topics in the news, USAID program evaluations, and recent, popular, and most downloaded documents. The newsletter is designed to facilitate access to a half-century of U.S. international aid records. The featured document for March 2020 is "Exploring fairness in machine learning for international development," an Other USAID Supported Study/Document. This document explores the concept of fairness in machine learning for international development, highlighting the importance of ensuring that machine learning algorithms are unbiased and equitable. Recent additions to the DEC by sector include several final performance evaluations and final reports. In the Agriculture and Food Security sector, the DEC features five recent additions, including the final performance evaluation of the ASOTRY development food security activity in Madagascar and the final performance evaluation of the amalima development food assistance project in Zimbabwe. These evaluations assess the effectiveness of USAID-funded programs in improving food security and reducing poverty in these countries. In the Working in Crisis and Conflict sector, the DEC features five recent additions, including the final program results report for the Mozambique emergency response for cyclone-affected populations and the final report on improving disaster response and prevention capacities in local volunteers in Honduras. These reports provide insights into USAID's response to humanitarian crises and its efforts to build resilience in vulnerable communities. The DEC also features recent additions in the Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance sector, including the final program report for the Civil Society Innovation Initiative (CSII) and the endline impact evaluation of the Ghana Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms (GSAM) project. These reports highlight USAID's efforts to promote democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law in partner countries. In the Education sector, the DEC features four recent additions, including the final report on the Transformational Leadership Program Scholarships & Partnerships and the performance evaluation of the Generating Entrepreneurs and Sustainable Synergies (GENESIS) activity. These reports assess the effectiveness of USAID-funded education programs in promoting learning outcomes, leadership development, and economic growth. The DEC also features recent additions in the Economic Growth and Trade sector, including the final performance evaluation of the USAID/Ethiopia's Building the Potential of Youth activity and the final technical performance report for the Diber: Trails & Tradition project. These reports provide insights into USAID's efforts to promote economic growth, trade, and youth development in partner countries. In the Environment and Natural Resources sector, the DEC features four recent additions, including the final performance evaluation report for the USAID/Malawi Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support (MELS) activity and the performance evaluation of the USAID-Department of Energy interagency agreement. These reports assess the effectiveness of USAID-funded programs in promoting sustainable natural resource management and reducing environmental degradation. The DEC also features recent additions in the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment sector, including the final program report for the USAID Promote: Women in Government initiative and the gender assessment for USAID/Mozambique's Country Development Cooperation Strategy. These reports highlight USAID's efforts to promote gender equality and women's empowerment in partner countries. In the Global Health sector, the DEC features five recent additions, including the end of project report for the USAID Kenya Support for Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nairobi and Coast Counties of Kenya (NILINDE) project and the final report for the USAID Kyrgyzstan Defeat TB project. These reports assess the effectiveness of USAID-funded health programs in improving health outcomes and reducing disease burdens in partner countries. The DEC also features a recent addition in the Science and Technology sector, including the final report for the Digital Liberia and Electronic Government activity. This report assesses the effectiveness of USAID-funded programs in promoting digital development and improving governance in Liberia. In the Water and Sanitation sector, the DEC features two recent additions, including the final report for the midterm evaluation of the AfriCAP program and the final evaluation of the capacity-building portion of the WA-WASH program. These reports provide insights into USAID's efforts to improve water and sanitation services in partner countries. The DEC also features a video on the Development Experience Clearinghouse and how to search a half-century of U.S. international aid records online. The most viewed and downloaded materials are also featured, along with information on how to access USAID Data Services and browse products and services.