Foreign Assistance: USAID Has Begun Tsunami Reconstruction in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, but Key Projects May Exceed Initial Cost and Schedule Estimates
Abstract
In December 2004, an earthquake off the coast of Indonesia caused a tsunami that left more than 230,000 people killed or missing and presumed dead and an estimated $10 billion in damage in 12 countries. In May 2005, Congress appropriated $908 million for relief and reconstruction. U.S. emergency relief efforts budgeted at $327 million were nearly completed in December 2005. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) plans to spend $496 million on longer-term reconstruction, focusing on Indonesia and Sri Lanka, with the remaining $85 million allocated to other U.S. agencies. GAO has been mandated to monitor USAIDs reconstruction efforts. In this report, GAO describes USAID's (1) progress in Indonesia and Sri Lanka, (2) financial and technical oversight measures, and (3) implementation challenges. GAO recommends that the Secretary of State, in the departments semiannual report due to Congress in June 2006, provide updated cost estimates and schedules. If the updated information differs substantially from initial projections, the report should also include alternative project scopes and the need for additional sources of funding, if necessary. The Department of State agreed to fully implement this recommendation.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- AD1179134
Entities
People
- David Gootnick
- George Taylor
- Michael Armes
- Michael Maslowski
- Mingwei Chen
- Phillip Herr
- Reid Lowe
- Thomas Zingale
Organizations
- United States Government Accountability Office