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), Highlights of GAO-09-120 (PDF)

^ Back to topWhat Needs to Be Done

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

• Ensure that the U.S. water and sanitation strategy includes elements such as specific and measurable goals, benchmarks, and timetables for providing affordable and equitable access to safe water and sanitation in developing countries.
  Full Report of GAO-10-957 (PDF)
• Develop performance measures to assess and report progress in achieving overall U.S. goals and objectives for Iraqi refugees; track and report funding for refugee programs in each host country to improve transparency; assess the number and needs of Iraqi refugees and the related need of the countries hosting them to better match resources to needs; and develop a comprehensive international strategy for assistance and solutions for Iraqi refugees.
  Highlights of GAO-09-120 (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)

^ Back to topKey Reports

U.S. Water and Sanitation Aid

Somalia

Iraqi Refugee Assistance

Global Health

Foreign Assistance

Foreign Assistance

Foreign Assistance

Darfur Crisis

Darfur Crisis

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