International Food Assistance: U.S. Nonemergency Food Aid Programs Have Similar Objectives but Some Planning Helps Limit Overlap

nonemergency food aid programs is to increase agricultural capacity and reduce malnutrition. These programs are primarily development assistance programs that address long-term chronic hunger (food insecurity). The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) administer these programs. In 2008, factors contributing to food insecurity were identified, including low agricultural productivity, limited rural development, government policy disincentives, and poor health among agricultural workers. USAID and USDA nonemergency food aid programs share broad objectives, including financial services, infrastructure, agricultural productivity, agribusiness development, and child and maternal nutrition needs in food insecure countries. Some of these shared objectives are the result of authorizing legislation, while others are included in presidential initiatives and agency strategies. Both agencies have objectives that address similar areas, such as financial services and infrastructure development. In fiscal year 2011, both USAID and USDA had nonemergency food aid programs in Guatemala and Uganda, and both programs were providing agricultural training. Nonemergency food aid programs generally monetize U.S. agricultural commodities to generate cash for development projects. The commodities are purchased by USDA with funds appropriated for that purpose. While USDA manages the purchase and delivery of all international food aid commodities, both USAID and USDA administer nonemergency food aid programs by using U.S. commodities to implement development programs. The objectives of currently active nonemergency food aid programs are outlined in four program authorities: USAID Title II Development Assistance, USDA Food for Progress, USAID Food for Peace, and USDA McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program. In fiscal years 2008 through 2011, U.S. agencies obligated about $3 billion toward nonemergency food aid programs. The primary goal of these programs is to increase agricultural capacity and reduce malnutrition. USAID and USDA have established some planning processes to limit overlap in these programs. For example, both agencies have objectives that address financial services, infrastructure, agricultural productivity, agribusiness development, and child and maternal nutrition needs in food insecure countries. Some of these shared objectives are the result of authorizing legislation, while others are included in presidential initiatives and agency strategies. USAID and USDA nonemergency food aid programs share common geographic focus areas in which they implemented similar activities. In fiscal year 2011, both USAID and USDA had nonemergency food aid programs in Guatemala and Uganda, and both programs were providing agricultural training. Implementing partners in Guatemala and Uganda administering programs for both agencies told us that USAID and USDA have parallel administrative structures in the field and distinct requirements for performance management. However, we found that these agencies have established some processes to plan and coordinate country activities in efforts to limit overlap.