Program disruption and Ordered Departures (ODs) have become increasingly common in recent years. By now, Implementing Partners should have in place policies and procedures to manage sudden and drastic changes to their overseas projects. For many USAID Missions, disruptions and ODs are almost routine.
- The latest example is USAID/Dhaka’s OD in response to civil unrest when the university student protests toppled the Sheikh Hasina government. As is often the case, USAID is trying to mitigate disruption to their programs as reflected in the Q&A with the Implementing Partners on August 13th and again on the 19th. (The Q&As are included below.) The embassy will review the status of the OD on August 19th and, if necessary, on September 19th.
- Another disrupter of development programs is diplomacy:
- The Secretary of State, Antony J. Blinken, announced on July 31, 2024, a pause of the $95 million assistance program to Georgia in response to anti-democratic actions by the Government of Georgia (GoG).
- USAID is coordinating this action closely with the implementing partners (IPs) in Georgia by identifying programs and activities that directly benefit the Government of Georgia (GoG) in FY 24 and FY25.
- The Secretary of State’s announcement states that they will continue programs and activities that strengthen democracy, the rule of law, independent media, and economic development in providing direct benefit to the people of Georgia. Implementing partners are identifying activities that directly benefit the GoG and are preparing “pause implementation plans” for review and approval by USAID.
Whatever the cause of program disruption, the value of close engagement between USAID and its IPs has proven to be essential to emerging from a crisis and accomplishing the mission.
Read more about the suspension of aid to Georgia in The Guardian