June 24, 2019 (WASHINGTON) – This statement is delivered on behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN) by Co-Chairs George Ingram, Lester Munson, and Tessie San Martin.
Today, the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network Co-Chairs sent a letter to Secretary of State Michael Pompeo expressing concern over the recent State Department announcement regarding U.S. assistance to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The State Department reported that U.S. aid funds will be reprogrammed following a review of more than 700 programs and activities in those countries.
MFAN advocates for accountability in foreign assistance, including evidence-based decision making and evaluation of the effectiveness of assistance programs. MFAN strongly recommends that any review of U.S. foreign assistance programs be evidence-based and transparent.
In the letter, the MFAN Co-Chairs urge the State Department to:
The letter states that “U.S. aid activities advance American interests and values by working directly in communities on issues that grow their economy, improve safety and health, and strengthen their infrastructure. Funding decisions should be based on program performance, not short-term political considerations.”
“Monitoring and evaluation methods assess program success and guide mid-course corrections and future programming. Any review of U.S. foreign assistance programs should rely on robust program evaluations to assess their effectiveness,” the Co-Chairs wrote.
To most effectively leverage American tax dollars and further American interests abroad, any review of our foreign assistance programs should be evidence-based and transparent. MFAN urges the Department of State to publish the methodology of this review, including all information and program evaluations used to determine effectiveness.
The full letter can be found below and here.
Monday, June 24, 2019
The Honorable Michael Pompeo
Secretary of State
U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW
Washington, D.C. 20230
Dear Mr. Secretary:
On behalf of the Modernizing Foreign Assistance Network (MFAN), a bipartisan reform coalition comprised of international development and foreign policy practitioners and experts, we thank you for your commitment to advancing effective U.S. foreign assistance. We write, however, with concern regarding the recent State Department announcement that U.S. foreign aid to El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras will be reprogrammed following a review of more than 700 programs and activities in those countries.
MFAN advocates for accountability in foreign assistance, including evidence-based decision making and evaluation of the effectiveness of assistance programs. Monitoring and evaluation methods assess program success and guide mid-course corrections and future programming. Any review of U.S. foreign assistance programs should rely on robust program evaluations to assess their effectiveness.
The U.S. Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development both have policies in place calling for independent evaluations of program effectiveness. All 22 agencies administering foreign assistance are required to have evaluation policies in compliance with the Foreign Aid Transparency and Accountability Act of 2016 (Public Law No: 114-191) and subsequent guidelines laid out by the Office of Management and Budget. As a result there is evidence, based on evaluations of programs in these Northern Triangle countries, that USAID activities have been successful in crime and violence prevention.
To most effectively leverage American tax dollars and further American interests abroad, any review of our foreign assistance programs should be evidence-based and transparent. MFAN strongly urges the Department of State to:
U.S. aid advances American interests and values by working directly in communities on issues that grow their economy, improve safety and health, and strengthen their infrastructure. Funding decisions should be based on program performance, not short-term political considerations. These actions could work against shared development objectives and yield sub-optimal outcomes for U.S. interests long-term. Funding decisions that are not evidence-based also exacerbate funding instability and interruptions, which limit the effectiveness of programs designed to save lives and further American interests abroad.
We look forward to working with you to advance U.S. values and economic and national security interests by supporting a more just, prosperous, and secure world through effective foreign assistance. MFAN interim Executive Director, Larry Nowels (lnowels@modernizeaid.net) is available to answer any questions you or your staff may have.
Sincerely,
George Ingram, Lester Munson, Tessie San Martin
