Morocco population and family planning support, phase II, project (no. 608-0155) needs greater commitment by the Government of Morocco

Audit report covers the period 9/78-1/83 and is based on document review, interviews with officials from USAID/M, the GOM, and the Moroccan Family Planning Association, and site visits. Some of the 10 subprojects are significantly behind schedule, and not all targets will be reached by the extended completion date of 9/30/83, due to an overambitious program and most of all the GOM"s failure to fully support the politically and religiously sensitive FP programs. The Marrakech pilot household FP delivery program was completed but has been expanded to only 3 of a projected 10 provinces. None of the 10 projected FP referral centers were completed. The Special Training Program was somewhat successful, limited only by the GOM"s reluctance to fund participants" travel costs. Contraceptives were available for distribution at the Ministry of Public Health sites visited. FP exhibits and efforts for the National Information, Education, and Communication program were on target, but there was a 1-year delay in equipping the TV studio. The National Fertility and FP Survey was completed 18 months late and results remain unknown. The National Training Center for Reproductive Health is 2 years behind schedule. The Resources for Awareness of Population Impact on Development (RAPID) subproject failed to accomplish its objective of providing FP information to policy makers, and its data and computer equipment were used elsewhere. Results from the Contraceptive Prevalence Survey indicate that Moroccan contraceptive practice has doubled. It is recommended that USAID/M: (1) delay implementing Phase III until Phase II activites are completed or it is certain that Phase II goals will be achieved; (2) reassess Phase II funding needs and deobligate excess funds; (3) determine the GOM"s contributions to Phase II and ensure that the stipulated $32 million is provided by project completion; (4) assist the GOM to remove and dispose of stocks of outdated contraceptives; and (5) implement FP activities in conjunction with P.L. 480 food distribution through the GOM Ministry of Handicrafts and Social Welfare.