Report of audit of the USAID program in Morocco

assistance program in Morocco. Audit report covers the period 4/1/77-9/30/79; no methodology is given. USAID/M has mounted an effective, although limited, development program in a difficult environment. While progress toward project goals has been slower than anticipated, successful achievements have been attained or appear feasible. The Government of Morocco"s (GOM"s) limited acceptance of A.I.D."s basic human needs policy has been the major constraint to the U.S. objective of directly assisting the poor majority. However, there is evidence that domestic pressures are moderating the GOM"s position. A.I.D."s Near East Bureau and USAID/M support this view. Given recent dialogue between USAID/M and AID/W regarding future assistance to Morocco, it is recommended that the Near East Bureau, USIAD/M, and the Bureau for Program and Policy Coordination agree upon a development strategy, a level of assistance, and performance criteria. Seventeen projects in family planning, irrigation, nutrition, education, and rural development as well as other miscellaneous activities (e.g., P.L. 480, Titles I and II) were audited; five projects were completed, five were continuing, and seven were new. All projects were well administered and without any uncorrected major problems. Corrections are needed, however, in four cases. The advanced training research conducted under the Higher Agricultural Education II project does not appear sufficiently relevant to the needs of small farmers. The Doukkala Irrigation project loan agreement should be amended to use U.S.-owned Moroccan dirhams instead of dollars to pay local costs. GOM reporting on P.L. 480, Title I self-help activities has been untimely and insufficient to determine whether locally-generated currency has been properly used. Lastly, the number of internal program evaluations performed by USAID/M has been insufficient.