USAID Spent Almost $400 Million on an Afghan Stabilization Project despite Uncertain Results, but Has Taken Steps to Better Assess Similar Efforts
Abstract
In October 2006, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) awarded two task orders to Development Alternatives, Inc. (DAI) and Associates in Rural Development (ARD) to implement the Local Governance and Community Development (LGCD) project in Afghanistan. Although LGCD changed over time, it was designed to contribute to the creation of a stable environment for medium- and long-term political, economic, and social development. Since September 2003, USAID has obligated more than $1.1 billion for 20 major contracts or grants that covered stabilization efforts. As of September 2011, USAID had expended about $373 million for the LGCD project. Although LGCD has ended, USAID is continuing its stabilization efforts, including awarding two contracts totaling $151 million for a program called Stabilization in Key Areas (SIKA). This report assesses (1) the cost and outcomes of the LGCD project and (2) USAID oversight of the project. In conducting our work, we reviewed and analyzed USAID and contractor documents; met with USAID officials at USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., and at the USAID Mission in Kabul, Afghanistan, and with senior representatives from both contractors at their respective headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland, and Burlington, Vermont; and visited seven LGCD subprojects in two Afghanistan provinces. We conducted our work from January 2011 through March 2012 in accordance with generally accepted government auditing standards.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 25, 2012
- Accession Number
- ADA586755
Entities
Organizations
- Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction