PL-480 food for peace in The Gambia

480 food distribution project in The Gambia. Audit report covers the period 3/76-3/81, and is based on document review and interviews with officials of USAID/G, the Government of Gambia (GOG), and Catholic Relief Services/Gambia (CRS/G), the program sponsor. CRS/G distributes more than 2,000 metric tons of food annually to some 33,500 recipients in maternal/child health (MCH), preschool, Food for Work, and adult programs. Because of poor recordkeeping, however, CRS/G has been unable to account for large quantities of food; at least 84,000 pounds of food, valued at $18,000, are unaccounted for. In addition, commodity accounting recommendations made in a 1977 CRS internal audit have not been implemented. These deficiencies are exacerbated by USAID/G"s failure to adequately monitor CRS/G"s performance. CRS/G has repeatedly failed to submit required commodity status and recipient status reports; and evidently USAID/G has made no effort to obtain the overdue reports. Also CRS/G has often disposed of commodities found unfit for human consumption without USAID/G approval. Although in most cases CRS/G has filed claims for goods lost in transit, one claim - for an ocean transportation loss of $14,961 - had not been filed, because a surveyor"s report was not forwarded to CRS/New York. Four claims for inland losses totaling $8,430 have been submitted to the GOG, but are not yet settled. Due to disagreements among USAID/G, CRS/G and GOG officials, program recipients have not benefited as much as they otherwise could have. CRS/G and the GOG have differed as to eligibility to participate in the MCH program and as to the type of growth surveillance chart to be used. As a result of disputes between GOG medical staff and CRS/G field teams, medical personnel have been instructed not to be present at MCH centers during food distribution. However, relationships are now reported to be improved, with some joint activities being planned. It is recommended that USAID/G: (1) bill CRS/G for the missing food; (2) not approve any further CRS/G P.L. 480 program until assured of adequate commodity accounting; (3) ensure that the missing surveyor"s report is forwarded to New York; (4) assist CRS/G in collecting the inland claims; and (5) obtain from CRS/G all overdue status reports.