This week, USAID Administrator Raj Shah and other leaders will participate in several events during the 61st session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Two of these events focused on the international Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement, which promotes country-led efforts in nutrition among leaders of national governments and development partners. Through Feed the Future and the Global Health Initiative, the United States Government is supporting SUN by addressing the root causes of global undernutrition and improving the potential of millions of people.
•Learn more about U.S. investments in global nutrition [PDF, 133KB].
•Read the USAID IMPACTblog post, Scaling Up Nutrition: Supporting country-led efforts to promote healthier lives, by Paul Weisenfeld, head of USAID's Bureau for Food Security.
•Watch the video Women and Agriculture: Behind the Scenes from Feed The Future at the UN General Assembly.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
The Bellagio Initiative
The Future of Philanthropy and Development in the Pursuit of Human Wellbeing
Your ideas
The Bellagio Initiative wants to engage the maximum numbers of people with an interest in and knowledge of philanthropy and international development in the Bellagio debate. There are two ways in which to contribute.
•Submissions
Find out more about contributing papers, think pieces and comment to the Bellagio debate.
•Innovations
Find out more about contributing your practical new ideas in philanthropy and international development to the Bellagio debate.
Your ideas
The Bellagio Initiative wants to engage the maximum numbers of people with an interest in and knowledge of philanthropy and international development in the Bellagio debate. There are two ways in which to contribute.
•Submissions
Find out more about contributing papers, think pieces and comment to the Bellagio debate.
•Innovations
Find out more about contributing your practical new ideas in philanthropy and international development to the Bellagio debate.
Gates Foundation Nutrition Strategy Overview
Gates Foundation Nutrition Strategy Overview LINK
In developing countries, undernutrition leads to increased risk of mortality due
to infections such as diarrhea and pneumonia and is the underlying cause of onethird
of all deaths in children under 5 years of age. Among surviving children,
approximately one-third suffer from stunting, which is associated with poor
school performance and subsequent low economic productivity.1 Undernourished
women are at a greater risk of dying from pregnancy complications compared
to well-nourished women and have a higher risk of delivering low birth weight
babies. Their children are at higher risk later in life of physical and cognitive
impairments and nutrition-related chronic diseases.2 Data indicate that the
overwhelming majority of people who are undernourished live in South Asia
and sub-Saharan Africa, where 10 countries account for two-thirds of all stunted
children worldwide.
A set of key proven interventions exist, that if implemented at sufficient scale,
could reduce the burden of undernutrition and associated maternal and child
death and disability by one-quarter.3 These interventions include promotion of
optimal breastfeeding practices; age-appropriate complementary feeding that is
adequate in quantity and quality from 6-24 months; and interventions to ensure
sufficient intakes of key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, zinc, iron, folic
acid, and iodine in the diet. Some of these have been successfully implemented,
with the global coverage of vitamin A supplementation rising from 16 to 79
percent between 1999 and 2009,4 and the global coverage of iodized salt reaching
71 percent in 2009.5
In developing countries, undernutrition leads to increased risk of mortality due
to infections such as diarrhea and pneumonia and is the underlying cause of onethird
of all deaths in children under 5 years of age. Among surviving children,
approximately one-third suffer from stunting, which is associated with poor
school performance and subsequent low economic productivity.1 Undernourished
women are at a greater risk of dying from pregnancy complications compared
to well-nourished women and have a higher risk of delivering low birth weight
babies. Their children are at higher risk later in life of physical and cognitive
impairments and nutrition-related chronic diseases.2 Data indicate that the
overwhelming majority of people who are undernourished live in South Asia
and sub-Saharan Africa, where 10 countries account for two-thirds of all stunted
children worldwide.
A set of key proven interventions exist, that if implemented at sufficient scale,
could reduce the burden of undernutrition and associated maternal and child
death and disability by one-quarter.3 These interventions include promotion of
optimal breastfeeding practices; age-appropriate complementary feeding that is
adequate in quantity and quality from 6-24 months; and interventions to ensure
sufficient intakes of key vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A, zinc, iron, folic
acid, and iodine in the diet. Some of these have been successfully implemented,
with the global coverage of vitamin A supplementation rising from 16 to 79
percent between 1999 and 2009,4 and the global coverage of iodized salt reaching
71 percent in 2009.5
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Global Fund verdict could be devastating for the fight against Aids
Sarah Boseley's Global Health Blog LINK to Article
UK Gaurdian
9/20/11
A report from an independent high-level panel finds major flaws in the governance and oversight of the Global Fund in spite of its good work - which could give donors the excuse they want to cut its funding
The Global Fund must "change or wither". That is the devastating verdict of a very intelligent report by the high-level independent review LINK team brought in following a major crisis of confidence in the Fund, which channels money into developing country programmes for Aids, TB and malaria. Stories emerged at the end of last year of fraud and corruption among countries taking Global Fund money. In January, Germany suspended its payments and there was talk of other donor nations turning away.
UK Gaurdian
9/20/11
A report from an independent high-level panel finds major flaws in the governance and oversight of the Global Fund in spite of its good work - which could give donors the excuse they want to cut its funding
The Global Fund must "change or wither". That is the devastating verdict of a very intelligent report by the high-level independent review LINK team brought in following a major crisis of confidence in the Fund, which channels money into developing country programmes for Aids, TB and malaria. Stories emerged at the end of last year of fraud and corruption among countries taking Global Fund money. In January, Germany suspended its payments and there was talk of other donor nations turning away.
Monday, September 19, 2011
MFAN-From Policy to Practice
LINK to Document
At less than one percent of the federal budget, U.S. development programs save and improve millions of lives that would otherwise be lost or mired in poverty. We support these programs not only because it is right, but because it is in our vital national interest.
Both Republican and Democratic administrations have taken important steps toward reforming U.S. development policy and practice, and still more work needs to be done.
Ultimately, the full promise of this Administration’s emphasis on more effective development rests with its ability to partner with Congress to enact durable, bipartisan legislation that reflects current challenges and cuts through the layers of burdensome red tape that have made assistance efforts too slow and too bureaucratic. In doing this, the Administration and Congress must focus on the following:
•Maximizing efficiencies by eliminating wasteful regulations, better coordinating and leveraging work with partners, and demanding clear results through better evaluation;
•Increasing accountability to U.S. taxpayers as well as people in developing countries;
•Codifying a shared Executive-Legislative vision for the U.S. approach to development built around sound strategic planning, greater transparency, accountability for results, and the flexibility to spend resources according to needs and opportunities on the ground;
•Ensuring assistance is responsive to local priorities and supportive of local policy reforms that will lead to sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty;
•Recognizing and institutionalizing the distinctiveness between diplomacy and development so that short-term humanitarian and political goals and long-term development goals are complementary and work together to achieve U.S. objectives; and
•Empowering and strengthening USAID as a 21st-Century development agency.
At less than one percent of the federal budget, U.S. development programs save and improve millions of lives that would otherwise be lost or mired in poverty. We support these programs not only because it is right, but because it is in our vital national interest.
Both Republican and Democratic administrations have taken important steps toward reforming U.S. development policy and practice, and still more work needs to be done.
Ultimately, the full promise of this Administration’s emphasis on more effective development rests with its ability to partner with Congress to enact durable, bipartisan legislation that reflects current challenges and cuts through the layers of burdensome red tape that have made assistance efforts too slow and too bureaucratic. In doing this, the Administration and Congress must focus on the following:
•Maximizing efficiencies by eliminating wasteful regulations, better coordinating and leveraging work with partners, and demanding clear results through better evaluation;
•Increasing accountability to U.S. taxpayers as well as people in developing countries;
•Codifying a shared Executive-Legislative vision for the U.S. approach to development built around sound strategic planning, greater transparency, accountability for results, and the flexibility to spend resources according to needs and opportunities on the ground;
•Ensuring assistance is responsive to local priorities and supportive of local policy reforms that will lead to sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty;
•Recognizing and institutionalizing the distinctiveness between diplomacy and development so that short-term humanitarian and political goals and long-term development goals are complementary and work together to achieve U.S. objectives; and
•Empowering and strengthening USAID as a 21st-Century development agency.
USAID Policy Framework 2011-2015
Rajiv Shah Statement to USAID-
On the eve of the first anniversary of the President's Policy Directive on Global Development, I am pleased to announce the release of the USAID Policy Framework 2011-2015 LINK. This document is the first in what will become a regular strategic exercise every four years, reflecting the hard work our Agency has engaged in to become a policy and thought leader in development. The President's Directive recognized the importance of international development to our nation's security and called on the U.S. Government to strengthen our capabilities to deliver effective development assistance. In particular, the President made clear his vision for strengthening USAID in order to establish it as the world's leading development Agency. Secretary of State Clinton has also strongly echoed this vision, articulating a path toward strong partnership in the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. I am proud of the steps that we have taken as an Agency to reflect on, strengthen and deliver real results towards this vision. Drawing on extensive consultation with colleagues in Washington and in our field missions, this document provides our staff and partners worldwide with a clear sense of our core development priorities; translates the President's Directive and the Secretary's Review into more detailed operational principles; explains how we will apply these principles across our entire portfolio; and lays out our agenda for institutional reform—USAID Forward—that is preparing the Agency to respond to the development challenges of the coming decades.
Promote Global Health and Strong Health Systems:
From Treating Diseases To Treating People
Reduce Climate Change Impacts and Promote Low Emissions Growth:
Building Resilience On Multiple Fronts
--Through Feed the Future (FtF), assist 18 million vulnerable women, children, and family members over the next five years to escape hunger and poverty by significantly increasing their purchasing power
--Lift 7.5 million people out of extreme poverty (defined as those living on less than $1.25 a day)
--In conjunction with the Global Health Initiative (GHI), help seven million children through nutrition interventions that prevent stunting and child mortality
--Generate $2.8 billion in agricultural GDP in our focus countries through investments in research and technology
--Leverage up to $70 million in private investment to create sustainable market opportunities
--Help developing countries increase their exports; for each dollar we spend on trade capacity-building, exports can increase by $43 over a two-year period
--Reduce the cost of doing business for the private sector in developing countries; for every dollar we spend on programs to improve the business-enabling environment, private sector firms’ costs of complying with regulation can be reduced by $29 per year, which helps stimulate entrepreneurship and private sector led growth
--Improve reading skills for 100 million children in primary grades by 2015 and improve the ability of tertiary and workforce development programs to generate workforce skills
--Through Partnerships for Growth (PFG), reduce the growth-inhibiting effect of key constraints to broad-based economic growth beginning in a small number of countries with high growth potential
--Extend credit guarantees to mobilize private sector financing through the Development Credit Authority
(DCA); for every dollar of loan guarantees made through the DCA, we can mobilize $28 of private capital
--Use our microenterprise programs to empower the poor; our programs have benefited close to one million very poor people per year, a majority of whom are women and over three-quarters of whom live in rural areas
--Reduce maternal mortality by 30 percent, reduce under-five child mortality by 35 percent across assisted countries, and prevent 54 million unintended pregnancies; reduce child mortality through investments in water, sanitation, and health (WASH)
--Halve the burden of malaria for 70 percent of the at-risk population in Africa through the President’s Malaria
Initiative (PMI)
--Support the prevention of more than 12 million new HIV infections, provide direct support to more than four million people on treatment, and support care for more than 12 million people, including five million orphans and children through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
--Contribute to the treatment of a minimum of 2.6 million new sputum smear-positive turberculosis (TB) cases and 57,200 multidrug-resistant cases of TB; contribute to a 50 percent reduction in TB deaths and disease burden relative to the 1990 baseline
--Reduce the prevalence of seven neglected tropical diseases, contributing to the elimination of onchocerciasis in Latin America, and the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and leprosy, globally
On the eve of the first anniversary of the President's Policy Directive on Global Development, I am pleased to announce the release of the USAID Policy Framework 2011-2015 LINK. This document is the first in what will become a regular strategic exercise every four years, reflecting the hard work our Agency has engaged in to become a policy and thought leader in development. The President's Directive recognized the importance of international development to our nation's security and called on the U.S. Government to strengthen our capabilities to deliver effective development assistance. In particular, the President made clear his vision for strengthening USAID in order to establish it as the world's leading development Agency. Secretary of State Clinton has also strongly echoed this vision, articulating a path toward strong partnership in the Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review. I am proud of the steps that we have taken as an Agency to reflect on, strengthen and deliver real results towards this vision. Drawing on extensive consultation with colleagues in Washington and in our field missions, this document provides our staff and partners worldwide with a clear sense of our core development priorities; translates the President's Directive and the Secretary's Review into more detailed operational principles; explains how we will apply these principles across our entire portfolio; and lays out our agenda for institutional reform—USAID Forward—that is preparing the Agency to respond to the development challenges of the coming decades.
Promote Global Health and Strong Health Systems:
From Treating Diseases To Treating People
Reduce Climate Change Impacts and Promote Low Emissions Growth:
Building Resilience On Multiple Fronts
--Through Feed the Future (FtF), assist 18 million vulnerable women, children, and family members over the next five years to escape hunger and poverty by significantly increasing their purchasing power
--Lift 7.5 million people out of extreme poverty (defined as those living on less than $1.25 a day)
--In conjunction with the Global Health Initiative (GHI), help seven million children through nutrition interventions that prevent stunting and child mortality
--Generate $2.8 billion in agricultural GDP in our focus countries through investments in research and technology
--Leverage up to $70 million in private investment to create sustainable market opportunities
--Help developing countries increase their exports; for each dollar we spend on trade capacity-building, exports can increase by $43 over a two-year period
--Reduce the cost of doing business for the private sector in developing countries; for every dollar we spend on programs to improve the business-enabling environment, private sector firms’ costs of complying with regulation can be reduced by $29 per year, which helps stimulate entrepreneurship and private sector led growth
--Improve reading skills for 100 million children in primary grades by 2015 and improve the ability of tertiary and workforce development programs to generate workforce skills
--Through Partnerships for Growth (PFG), reduce the growth-inhibiting effect of key constraints to broad-based economic growth beginning in a small number of countries with high growth potential
--Extend credit guarantees to mobilize private sector financing through the Development Credit Authority
(DCA); for every dollar of loan guarantees made through the DCA, we can mobilize $28 of private capital
--Use our microenterprise programs to empower the poor; our programs have benefited close to one million very poor people per year, a majority of whom are women and over three-quarters of whom live in rural areas
--Reduce maternal mortality by 30 percent, reduce under-five child mortality by 35 percent across assisted countries, and prevent 54 million unintended pregnancies; reduce child mortality through investments in water, sanitation, and health (WASH)
--Halve the burden of malaria for 70 percent of the at-risk population in Africa through the President’s Malaria
Initiative (PMI)
--Support the prevention of more than 12 million new HIV infections, provide direct support to more than four million people on treatment, and support care for more than 12 million people, including five million orphans and children through the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR)
--Contribute to the treatment of a minimum of 2.6 million new sputum smear-positive turberculosis (TB) cases and 57,200 multidrug-resistant cases of TB; contribute to a 50 percent reduction in TB deaths and disease burden relative to the 1990 baseline
--Reduce the prevalence of seven neglected tropical diseases, contributing to the elimination of onchocerciasis in Latin America, and the elimination of lymphatic filariasis and leprosy, globally
Friday, September 9, 2011
Fiscal Year 2013 Budget Guidance
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
The President has defined our fiscal challenge as demonstrating that we can live within our means so that we can invest in job creation and economic growth now and in the long term. In April, he proposed a balanced framework for $4 trillion in deficit reduction that would put us on path to achieve fiscal sustainability by the middle of this decade. Over the summer, in negotiations with the Congress, the President pursued deficit reduction of this magnitude. Once it was clear a bipartisan agreement could not yet be reached, the President signed into law a down payment toward this goal: the Budget Control Act of 20 11. This legislation set ceilings on total discretionary spending and a target of $2.4 trillion in total deficit reduction over the next decade.
The President has defined our fiscal challenge as demonstrating that we can live within our means so that we can invest in job creation and economic growth now and in the long term. In April, he proposed a balanced framework for $4 trillion in deficit reduction that would put us on path to achieve fiscal sustainability by the middle of this decade. Over the summer, in negotiations with the Congress, the President pursued deficit reduction of this magnitude. Once it was clear a bipartisan agreement could not yet be reached, the President signed into law a down payment toward this goal: the Budget Control Act of 20 11. This legislation set ceilings on total discretionary spending and a target of $2.4 trillion in total deficit reduction over the next decade.
Foreign Assistance Reform
Discussion Draft: THE GLOBAL PARTNERSHIPS ACT OF 2011
Proposed by Ranking Member Howard L. Berman
Overview:
Today, more than ever, our health, security, and prosperity depend on a world in which basic human needs are met, fundamental freedoms are respected, conflicts are resolved peacefully and the world's resources are used wisely. There is no escaping our obligations to help foster this environment. Not only are we morally bound to do so, but our economic and political interests demand that we address widespread poverty and chaos in the world.
Aid is not a gift. The United States provides foreign assistance because it serves OUR interests. Helping countries become more democratic, more stable, more capable of defending themselves and better at pulling themselves out of poverty is just as important for us as it is for them. Our task therefore, is to make sure that we provide this assistance in the most efficient and effective way possible.
The Global Partnerships Act of 2011 is a discussion draft of a bill to replace the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which serves as the foundation for U.S. international aid programs, as well as the Arms Export Control Act, which contains additional authorities for arms sales and military assistance. This proposal modernizes the full spectrum of foreign assistance programs, from development to democracy to self-defense.
Proposed by Ranking Member Howard L. Berman
Overview:
Today, more than ever, our health, security, and prosperity depend on a world in which basic human needs are met, fundamental freedoms are respected, conflicts are resolved peacefully and the world's resources are used wisely. There is no escaping our obligations to help foster this environment. Not only are we morally bound to do so, but our economic and political interests demand that we address widespread poverty and chaos in the world.
Aid is not a gift. The United States provides foreign assistance because it serves OUR interests. Helping countries become more democratic, more stable, more capable of defending themselves and better at pulling themselves out of poverty is just as important for us as it is for them. Our task therefore, is to make sure that we provide this assistance in the most efficient and effective way possible.
The Global Partnerships Act of 2011 is a discussion draft of a bill to replace the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, which serves as the foundation for U.S. international aid programs, as well as the Arms Export Control Act, which contains additional authorities for arms sales and military assistance. This proposal modernizes the full spectrum of foreign assistance programs, from development to democracy to self-defense.
Thursday, September 8, 2011
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Round 8 of Grand Challenges Explorations
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation is now accepting grant proposals for Round 8 of Grand Challenges Explorations, an initiative to encourage innovative and unconventional global health and development solutions. Applicants can be at any experience level; in any discipline; and from any organization, including colleges and universities, government laboratories, research institutions, non-profit organizations and for profit companies.
Grant proposals are being accepted online until November 17, 2011 on the following topics:
NEW - Protect Crop Plants from Biotic Stresses From Field to Market
NEW - Design new approaches to optimize immunization systems
NEW - Explore New Solutions in Global Health Priority Areas
Explore Nutrition for Healthy Growth of Infants and Children
Apply Synthetic Biology to Global Health Challenges
Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million. Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at:
LINK to GRAND CHALLENGES SITE
We are looking forward to receiving innovative ideas from around the world and from all disciplines. If you have a great idea, apply. If you know someone else who may have a great idea, please forward this message.
Thank you for your commitment to solving the world's greatest health challenges.
###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Grant proposals are being accepted online until November 17, 2011 on the following topics:
NEW - Protect Crop Plants from Biotic Stresses From Field to Market
NEW - Design new approaches to optimize immunization systems
NEW - Explore New Solutions in Global Health Priority Areas
Explore Nutrition for Healthy Growth of Infants and Children
Apply Synthetic Biology to Global Health Challenges
Initial grants will be US $100,000 each, and projects showing promise will have the opportunity to receive additional funding of up to US $1 million. Full descriptions of the new topics and application instructions are available at:
LINK to GRAND CHALLENGES SITE
We are looking forward to receiving innovative ideas from around the world and from all disciplines. If you have a great idea, apply. If you know someone else who may have a great idea, please forward this message.
Thank you for your commitment to solving the world's greatest health challenges.
###
Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people - especially those with the fewest resources - have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, the foundation is led by CEO Jeff Raikes and Co-chair William H. Gates Sr., under the direction of Bill and Melinda Gates and Warren Buffett.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Info on Partner Vetting System
Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development Announce Public Briefing on Partner Vetting System Pilot Program
On July 17, 2007, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced its intention to create the Partner Vetting System (PVS). Under PVS, USAID partners funded under contracts, grants and cooperative agreements will be required to provide personal information on staff for the purpose of vetting by the U.S. government.
Information collected will include personally identifiable information collected from potential or current USAID partners such as: Name, date of birth, place of birth, county of origin, Social Security Number or other ID type or ID number, nationality, address, phone number, email address, and organizational affiliations.
This database will allow USAID to review Non-Government Organizations and individuals to ensure that USAID-funded assistance does not inadvertently provide support to entities or individuals associated with terrorism.
Department of State (DOS) and USAID officials will be providing a public briefing on the PVS pilot program. The objective of the briefing is to provide information about the PVS pilot program. Members of the public may attend in person or join via teleconference. The briefing will be followed by an open forum for discussion where public participation is encouraged.
The agenda is subject to change. The briefing will take place on Thursday September 8, 2011, from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. E.D.T.
Although the briefing is free and open to the public, registration is required for attendance. Please e-mail USAID_RSVP4@usaid.gov to register and receive location or call-in information.
For further information, contact Glenn P. Wicks or Ronce Almond at (202) 457-7790.
Issue Brief: USAID Must Consider Alternative Vetting Approaches
Posted on February 20, 2009
LINK to Final Rule
On Jan. 2, 2009 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released a final rule for its "Partner Vetting System" (PVS) for nonprofit and charitable groups. The PVS would require grant applicants to submit detailed personal information on "key individuals" to be shared with the intelligence agencies. Despite criticism from nonprofits that the PVS would create unnecessary and potentially dangerous barriers for humanitarian groups providing relief in global hot spots, the substance of the final rule remains unchanged. The Obama administration has delayed implementation of PVS until April 3, 2009, allowing public comments for 30 days.
This Issue Brief provides background information on PVS, analyzes problems with the final rule and recommends that USAID revisit this approach to vetting its partners. The first question for the Obama administration is not how PVS should operate, but whether it is the right overall strategy for ensuring USAID resources are used for humanitarian purposes, and not to support terrorist violence.
On July 17, 2007, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced its intention to create the Partner Vetting System (PVS). Under PVS, USAID partners funded under contracts, grants and cooperative agreements will be required to provide personal information on staff for the purpose of vetting by the U.S. government.
Information collected will include personally identifiable information collected from potential or current USAID partners such as: Name, date of birth, place of birth, county of origin, Social Security Number or other ID type or ID number, nationality, address, phone number, email address, and organizational affiliations.
This database will allow USAID to review Non-Government Organizations and individuals to ensure that USAID-funded assistance does not inadvertently provide support to entities or individuals associated with terrorism.
Department of State (DOS) and USAID officials will be providing a public briefing on the PVS pilot program. The objective of the briefing is to provide information about the PVS pilot program. Members of the public may attend in person or join via teleconference. The briefing will be followed by an open forum for discussion where public participation is encouraged.
The agenda is subject to change. The briefing will take place on Thursday September 8, 2011, from 2:30 p.m.-3:30 p.m. E.D.T.
Although the briefing is free and open to the public, registration is required for attendance. Please e-mail USAID_RSVP4@usaid.gov to register and receive location or call-in information.
For further information, contact Glenn P. Wicks or Ronce Almond at (202) 457-7790.
Issue Brief: USAID Must Consider Alternative Vetting Approaches
Posted on February 20, 2009
LINK to Final Rule
On Jan. 2, 2009 the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) released a final rule for its "Partner Vetting System" (PVS) for nonprofit and charitable groups. The PVS would require grant applicants to submit detailed personal information on "key individuals" to be shared with the intelligence agencies. Despite criticism from nonprofits that the PVS would create unnecessary and potentially dangerous barriers for humanitarian groups providing relief in global hot spots, the substance of the final rule remains unchanged. The Obama administration has delayed implementation of PVS until April 3, 2009, allowing public comments for 30 days.
This Issue Brief provides background information on PVS, analyzes problems with the final rule and recommends that USAID revisit this approach to vetting its partners. The first question for the Obama administration is not how PVS should operate, but whether it is the right overall strategy for ensuring USAID resources are used for humanitarian purposes, and not to support terrorist violence.
International Affairs Budget Update, 7-29-11
By Molly Lester at 1 August, 2011, 1:43 pm
LINK to Story
1. House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Passes FY12 Bill; Full Committee Markup Schedule for Next Week
The full House Appropriations Committee is currently scheduled next week to take up the FY12 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which was passed out of subcommittee earlier this week by voice vote. As reported in our July 27th Budget Update, the subcommittee’s $47.2 billion mark makes dramatic reductions in non-war related programs – overall 20% below FY10 levels, but in some specific accounts, the funding is more than 30% below current levels.
In speaking about the legislation, Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) said, “this bill asks the most important question we can ever ask: how does each program we fund impact our national security interest? If that question couldn’t be answered, we reduced the spending, added restrictions, or cancelled the program altogether.” She also stated that the bill “reforms and refocuses the way we deliver our foreign aid.”Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressed her serious concerns about the significant cuts in the bill saying, “this legislation would be a step back from U.S. leadership and substantially weaken the United States’ efforts overseas by decreasing economic opportunity, stability, and access to critical services for millions of the world’s poorest people.”
The markup lasted roughly an hour, with limited debate by both parties but additional opening statements from Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Norm Dicks (D-WA). Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA) spoke candidly, saying, “None of us are happy with this [302(b)] allocation.” Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed his concern with the cuts to State Department and USAID operations and the impact it would have on U.S. national security interests, citing former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates’ consistent calls to boost these capabilities. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) stated his intentions to offer amendments eliminating aid to Pakistan, noting that those funds are “a treasure trove of offsets” to address deep cuts to other accounts in the bill.
2. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Kerry Releases FY12-FY13 State Department Authorization Bill
Also on Wednesday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released his State Department Authorization Bill. Senator Kerry stated that his legislation “demonstrates our commitment to building our nation’s civilian capacity and providing our diplomatic corps with the essential tools, authorities, and resources to succeed in the demanding jobs we continually require of them.” On both funding and policy, the bill is a marked improvement from the authorization bill (H.R. 2583) passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week.
Highlights on Funding Levels
On funding issues, the Senate bill generally authorizes appropriations at levels requested by the Administration for FY12, levels much higher in most cases than the House authorization bill. In total, the Senate measure provides $21.4 billion in spending authorization for next year, including those for most State Department operations, contributions to international organizations and peacekeeping, and related activities. As a State Department authorization bill, the legislation provides authorization for the State Department and related accounts, while selectively providing authorization for four foreign assistance accounts: USAID’s Office Transitions Initiative, State Department’s regular and emergency refugee accounts, and the Peace Corps. For those programs that the House and Senate bills both provide authorizations, the Senate measure is $4.1 billion higher than the House and $161 million less than the President’s request.
Highlights on Policy and Reform
LINK to Story
1. House State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee Passes FY12 Bill; Full Committee Markup Schedule for Next Week
The full House Appropriations Committee is currently scheduled next week to take up the FY12 State-Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, which was passed out of subcommittee earlier this week by voice vote. As reported in our July 27th Budget Update, the subcommittee’s $47.2 billion mark makes dramatic reductions in non-war related programs – overall 20% below FY10 levels, but in some specific accounts, the funding is more than 30% below current levels.
In speaking about the legislation, Subcommittee Chairwoman Kay Granger (R-TX) said, “this bill asks the most important question we can ever ask: how does each program we fund impact our national security interest? If that question couldn’t be answered, we reduced the spending, added restrictions, or cancelled the program altogether.” She also stated that the bill “reforms and refocuses the way we deliver our foreign aid.”Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY) expressed her serious concerns about the significant cuts in the bill saying, “this legislation would be a step back from U.S. leadership and substantially weaken the United States’ efforts overseas by decreasing economic opportunity, stability, and access to critical services for millions of the world’s poorest people.”
The markup lasted roughly an hour, with limited debate by both parties but additional opening statements from Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R-KY) and Ranking Member Norm Dicks (D-WA). Representative Jerry Lewis (R-CA) spoke candidly, saying, “None of us are happy with this [302(b)] allocation.” Representative Adam Schiff (D-CA) expressed his concern with the cuts to State Department and USAID operations and the impact it would have on U.S. national security interests, citing former Secretary of Defense Bob Gates’ consistent calls to boost these capabilities. Representative Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL) stated his intentions to offer amendments eliminating aid to Pakistan, noting that those funds are “a treasure trove of offsets” to address deep cuts to other accounts in the bill.
2. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Kerry Releases FY12-FY13 State Department Authorization Bill
Also on Wednesday, Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry (D-MA) released his State Department Authorization Bill. Senator Kerry stated that his legislation “demonstrates our commitment to building our nation’s civilian capacity and providing our diplomatic corps with the essential tools, authorities, and resources to succeed in the demanding jobs we continually require of them.” On both funding and policy, the bill is a marked improvement from the authorization bill (H.R. 2583) passed by the House Foreign Affairs Committee last week.
Highlights on Funding Levels
On funding issues, the Senate bill generally authorizes appropriations at levels requested by the Administration for FY12, levels much higher in most cases than the House authorization bill. In total, the Senate measure provides $21.4 billion in spending authorization for next year, including those for most State Department operations, contributions to international organizations and peacekeeping, and related activities. As a State Department authorization bill, the legislation provides authorization for the State Department and related accounts, while selectively providing authorization for four foreign assistance accounts: USAID’s Office Transitions Initiative, State Department’s regular and emergency refugee accounts, and the Peace Corps. For those programs that the House and Senate bills both provide authorizations, the Senate measure is $4.1 billion higher than the House and $161 million less than the President’s request.
Highlights on Policy and Reform
Cellphones Could Help Doctors Stay Ahead Of An Epidemic
by Christopher Joyce
LINK to NPR Radio Pod Cast
The year 2010 was a very bad one for Haiti. It started with an earthquake that killed over 300,000 people, mostly in the crowded capital of Port-au-Prince. After that, cholera originating in a U.N. camp broke out in a northern province and eventually spread to the city.
But public health researchers learned something useful from the tragedy: Cellphones can help stem an unfolding epidemic and funnel aid to the needy.
Shortly after the quake, Linus Bengtsson at Sweden's Karolinska Institute helped put together a team to capitalize on Haiti's cellphone system. "When people start to move around, as they often do after a natural disaster, it's very difficult to know where to deliver supplies," Bengtsson says.
But about a third of Haiti's population has cellphones. So Bengtsson and colleagues collaborated with the cellphone company Digicell to track calls by the SIM cards in the phones.
The phone owners remained anonymous, but their whereabouts showed that some 600,000 fled Port-au-Prince within three weeks of the quake. That relieved pressure on aid groups in the city, but not for long. Soon, the phone maps showed, most of those refugees returned because there was no food in the countryside.
While the quake experience was more a proof of principle for disaster relief, the team actually got results when it applied the tracking system to the cholera epidemic months later. The researchers describe their experiment in the journal PLoS Medicine.
LINK to NPR Radio Pod Cast
The year 2010 was a very bad one for Haiti. It started with an earthquake that killed over 300,000 people, mostly in the crowded capital of Port-au-Prince. After that, cholera originating in a U.N. camp broke out in a northern province and eventually spread to the city.
But public health researchers learned something useful from the tragedy: Cellphones can help stem an unfolding epidemic and funnel aid to the needy.
Shortly after the quake, Linus Bengtsson at Sweden's Karolinska Institute helped put together a team to capitalize on Haiti's cellphone system. "When people start to move around, as they often do after a natural disaster, it's very difficult to know where to deliver supplies," Bengtsson says.
But about a third of Haiti's population has cellphones. So Bengtsson and colleagues collaborated with the cellphone company Digicell to track calls by the SIM cards in the phones.
The phone owners remained anonymous, but their whereabouts showed that some 600,000 fled Port-au-Prince within three weeks of the quake. That relieved pressure on aid groups in the city, but not for long. Soon, the phone maps showed, most of those refugees returned because there was no food in the countryside.
While the quake experience was more a proof of principle for disaster relief, the team actually got results when it applied the tracking system to the cholera epidemic months later. The researchers describe their experiment in the journal PLoS Medicine.
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