USAID OIG’s Semiannual Report to Congress Highlights Usual Challenges in Monitoring in Conflict Areas and Protection of Beneficiaries while Revealing Useful Cautions

OIG’s second half of FY 2024 was productive. The investigators opened 40 investigations and closed 39 of them. Their investigations resulted in 22 administrative actions, including 16 suspensions and debarments, 24 prosecutorial referrals, one conviction and over $8.5 million in monetary results (fines, penalties, recoveries, etc.)

On the audit side, they conducted 47 performance and financial audits and other evaluations and inspections. Over $3.7 billion was audited. The report reflects OIG priorities:

• Oversight of work in Gaza, particularly preventing aid to Hamas and reporting any prohibited funding to UN Relief & Works Agency (UNRWA)
• Ukraine program monitoring given staffing challenges
• Uphill battle over the years to hold PIOs to the same standard of other USAID implementers in terms of transparency, accountability and disclosures
• Safeguarding investigations resulting in suspensions and debarment
• Pharmaceutical and medical supply chain protection, including coordination with other law enforcement entities on investigations.

A few audits listed also show that OIG is responsive to Congressional inquiries and interests, such as the non-public results of an audit of USAID program shifts in response to the influence of China.

Note a few cases were described that warrant sharing for your awareness:

• A former Chief of Party in Jordan was suspended for three years for fraudulently claiming $96,442 of Temporary Quarters Allowance. Even the well-paid are subject to greed.
• USAID’s name and logo were used to defraud those seeking jobs, grants, and visas.
• A scam in Gambia claimed USAID grants in seeking financing in various sectors, including real estate, bio-energy and manufacturing.

The semiannual report also includes a graphic that OIG conducted 128 Fraud Awareness Briefings during this period. These briefings are well-done by experienced investigators. If your organization hasn’t had such a briefing in the home office or in the field in recent memory, reach out to the OIG to request one. It’s an opportunity to reinforce that you organization and the OIG are on the same side.

Read the full report here.

https://oig.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/USAID-OIG-SARC-Fall-2024-FINAL.pdf?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery