Implementation of food assistance programs : lessons learned from an Office of Inspector General perspective

Agency for International Development (USAID) prepares to significantly expand food assistance programs across the world, it is particularly important for the Agency to reflect upon both the successes and challenges of past implementation efforts. The Office of Inspector General has conducted a review of audits and investigations involving food aid programs over the past 8 years and is providing this report to share trends and lessons learned with current program implementers. The review found four systemic issues that should be addressed in future food security programs: (1) management and oversight controls, (2) an inability to obtain appropriate data from implementing contractors to make decisions about the effectiveness of programs, (3) diversion of funds and other illicit acts, and (4) recovering losses once they are discovered. This report contains details about the circumstances surrounding each of these issues, and it provides suggestions to improve the implementation of future food assistance programs. (Author abstract)