Maximizing Humanitarian Assistance

The international community, including the United States, provides essential humanitarian and development assistance in response to both emergency and long-term needs around the world, ranging from sudden natural disasters like the Indian Ocean tsunami to populations at chronic risk from malnutrition, disease, or inadequate shelter in Darfur, Somalia, and elsewhere.

• Such efforts can be limited by lack of coordination, sustained access to vulnerable populations, implementing capacity, and effective local institutions.

  Highlights of GAO-07-357 (PDF), Highlights of GAO-08-351 (PDF)

• GAO has reported on management challenges that have hampered delivery of, or accountability for, these humanitarian services, including the timing and amount of funding.

  Highlights of GAO-06-645 (PDF)

• Agencies, including State, USAID, and Defense, need to improve planning, monitoring and reporting, and cooperation with stakeholders to overcome these challenges and ensure that U.S.-funded assistance provides maximum benefits.

  Highlights of GAO-07-523 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

Agencies need to take several actions to strengthen humanitarian assistance efforts, including the following:

• Assess methods of disseminating information to USAID mission health officers about innovations and best practices pertaining to child survival and maternal health information, to ensure it is consistent and timely, and ensure the Child Survival and Maternal Health account is used as intended.

  Highlights of GAO-07-486 (PDF)

• Address gaps in data and improve the quality and reliability of future death estimates resulting from conflicts, such as in Darfur, to enhance the U.S. government's capacity to respond appropriately to humanitarian crises.

  Highlights of GAO-07-24 (PDF)

• Develop a more detailed U.S. strategy for Somalia, including the full range of U.S. government activities in the region and all six elements of an effective national strategy.

  Highlights of GAO-08-351 (PDF)

• Ensure U.S. assistance to the West Bank and Gaza does not support terrorist activities by strengthening efforts to verify identities and vet awardees, and take other steps to strengthen the application of antiterrorism provisions to relevant agreements and awards.

  Full Report of GAO-06-1062R (PDF, 44 pages)

^ Back to topKey Reports

Somalia: Several Challenges Limit U.S. and International Stabilization, Humanitarian, and Development Efforts

GAO-08-351, February 19, 2008

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 59 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Global Health: USAID Supported a Wide Range of Child and Maternal Health Activities, but Lacked Detailed Spending Data and a Proven Method for Sharing Best Practices

GAO-07-486, April 20, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 64 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: Enhanced Coordination and Better Methods to Assess the Results of U.S. International Basic Education Efforts Are Needed

GAO-07-523, March 30, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 80 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: USAID Signature Tsunami Reconstruction Efforts in Indonesia and Sri Lanka Exceed Initial Cost and Schedule Estimates, and Face Further Risks

GAO-07-357, February 28, 2007

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 53 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Darfur Crisis: Death Estimates Demonstrates Severity of Crisis, but Their Accuracy and Credibility Could Be Enhanced

GAO-07-24, November 9, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 77 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Darfur Crisis: Progress in Aid and Peace Monitoring Threatened by Ongoing Violence and Operational Challenges

GAO-07-9, November 9, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 103 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: Recent Improvements Made, but USAID Should Do More to Help Ensure Aid Is Not Provided for Terrorist Activities in West Bank and Gaza

GAO-06-1062R, September 29, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 44 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: USAID Completed Many Caribbean Disaster Recovery Activities, but Several Challenges Hampered Efforts

GAO-06-645, May 26, 2006

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 51 pages)   Accessible Text   Recommendations (HTML)

Foreign Assistance: USAID's Cash Transfer Program in Egypt Supports Economic Reform Activities, but Various Factors Have Limited Its Influence

GAO-05-731, July 11, 2005

Summary (HTML)   Highlights Page (PDF)   Full Report (PDF, 39 pages)   Accessible Text

Foreign Assistance: USAID and the Department of State Are Beginning to Implement Prohibition on Taxation of Aid

GAO-04-314R, February 20, 2004

Summary (HTML)   Full Report (PDF, 23 pages)   Accessible Text

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