Foreign Assistance

Effectiveness and Accountability Problems Common in U.S. Programs to Assist Two Micronesian Nations Gao ID: GAO-02-70 January 22, 2002

The United States has extended to Micronesia and the Marshall Islands a number of domestic programs in such critical areas as health care, education, job training, and telecommunications. GAO found that geographic, economic, and social conditions in both countries have limited the effectiveness of nine of the 13 programs, which were originally designed for the United States. Nine of the 13 programs experienced accountability problems, including theft or misuse of program funds. The two island nations lacked the administrative skills to meet the federal government's complex accountability requirements, and federal managers did not provide the necessary training. Although some federal agencies tried to provide oversight, their efforts at ensuring accountability fell short because of several factors, including time, distance, and travel costs and the relatively small size of the programs in the region.

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