Addresssing International Food Aid and Security

In an environment of increasing emergencies, growing global food insecurity, unprecedented commodity price increases, and related market, social, and political impacts, the U.S. government, other donors, poor-country governments, and international institutions are facing unparalleled pressure to feed the world's expanding undernourished population.

• Despite reform efforts, U.S. food aid programs remain costly, inefficient, and inflexible, and GAO has found that efforts of U.S. agencies to reduce global food insecurity have been hampered by the fragmented and uncoordinated nature of U.S. assistance efforts.

  Highlights of GAO-07-560 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-08-680 (PDF)

• USAID, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the U.S. Department of Transportation should improve the procurement, transportation, targeting, and monitoring of U.S. food aid programs to improve their efficiency and effectiveness.

  Highlights of GAO-07-560 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

To address global food insecurity and accelerate progress toward halving world hunger by 2015, USAID should

• work in collaboration with other agencies to develop an integrated strategy for achieving food security in sub-Saharan Africa and,

  Highlights of GAO-08-680 (PDF)

• prepare and submit an annual report to Congress detailing progress on these efforts.

To improve the effective use of food aid, USAID should

• work with other relevant agencies to provide adequate nonfood resources where such assistance will enhance the effectiveness of food aid,
• enhance the reliability of needs assessments for food aid programs,
• improve monitoring and tracking systems,
• strengthen logistical planning, and
• streamline and modernize transportation and contracting practices.

  Highlights of GAO-07-560 (PDF)

^ Back to topKey Reports

International Food Security: Insufficient Efforts by Host Governments and Donors Threaten Progress to Halve Hunger in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2015

GAO-08-680, May 29, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 96 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: Various Challenges Impede the Efficiency and Effectiveness of U.S. Food Aid

GAO-07-560, April 13, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 110 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: U.S. Agencies Face Challenges to Improving the Efficiency and Effectiveness of Food Aid

GAO-07-616T, March 21, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 42 pages)   Accessible Text

Foreign Assistance: Lack of Strategic Focus and Obstacles to Agricultural Recovery Threaten Afghanistan's Stability

GAO-03-607, June 30, 2003

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 94 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: Sustained Efforts Needed to Help Southern Africa Recover from Food Crisis

GAO-03-644, June 25, 2003

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 100 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

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