Commander's Emergency Response Program in Laghman Province Provided Some Benefits, but Oversight Weaknesses and Sustainment Concerns Led to Questionable Outcomes and Potential Waste
Abstract
Since 2004, Congress has appropriated nearly $2.64 billion for the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP) in Afghanistan. CERP is a Department of Defense (DOD) program managed by U.S. Forces-Afghanistan (USFOR-A) that enables commanders to fund humanitarian relief and reconstruction projects to immediately assist the indigenous population. In recent years, Congress has expressed significant concerns over the rapid growth of CERP funding in Afghanistan, the use of CERP funds on large-scale development projects, and the capacity of the government of Afghanistan to absorb the influx of CERP-funded projects. SIGAR initiated this audit to examine the funding, outcomes, and oversight of 69 selected CERP projects in Laghman Province. As of November 2010, the total funding obligated for the 69 projects was more than $53 million. Specifically, SIGAR (1) assessed the projects' status, including funds obligated and disbursed, whether the projects were meeting intended outcomes and, if applicable, were being sustained; and (2) determined whether project oversight was in accordance with applicable guidance. To accomplish these objectives, SIGAR reviewed relevant laws, regulations, standard operating procedures, and other guidance related to CERP and interviewed U.S. and Afghan officials. SIGAR also conducted file reviews for all 69 projects. SIGAR was able to assess the outcomes of 46 projects, which included site visits to 36 of these projects. SIGAR conducted work in Kabul and Laghman Province, Afghanistan, from July through December 2010 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 27, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA549505
Entities
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction