International food assistance : local and regional procurement can enhance the efficiency of U.S. food aid, but challenges may constrain its implementation : report to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health, Committee on Foreign Affairs, House of Representatives.

While the U.S. approach of providing in-kind food aid has assisted millions of hungry people for more than 50 years, in 2007 GAO reported limitations to its efficiency and effectiveness. To improve U.S. food assistance, Congress has authorized some funding for local and regional procurement (LRP) --...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Authors:	United States. Government Accountability Office, United States. Congress. House. Committee on Foreign Affairs. Subcommittee on Africa and Global Health
Format:	Government Document eBook
Language:	English
Published:	[Washington, D.C.] : U.S. Govt. Accountability Office, [2009]
Edition:	[Rev.].
Subjects:	United States. > Agency for International Development > Procurement. United States. > Department of Agriculture > Procurement. United States. > Department of Transportation > Rules and practice. Food relief, American > Evaluation. Foreign trade promotion > United States. Food relief > Economic aspects > Africa. Food relief > Transportation. Food relief > Government policy > United States. Humanitarian assistance, American.
Online Access:	https://purl.fdlp.gov/GPO/LPS114605

Description
Summary:	While the U.S. approach of providing in-kind food aid has assisted millions of hungry people for more than 50 years, in 2007 GAO reported limitations to its efficiency and effectiveness. To improve U.S. food assistance, Congress has authorized some funding for local and regional procurement (LRP) -- donors' purchase of food aid in countries affected by food crises or in a country within the same region. Through analysis of agency documents, interviews with agency officials, experts, and practitioners, and fieldwork in four African countries, this requested report examines (1) LRP's impact on the efficiency of food aid delivery; (2) its impact on economies where food is procured; and (3) U.S. legal requirements that could affect agencies' use of LRP. GAO recommends that the Administrator of USAID and the Secretary of Agriculture systematically collect evidence on LRP adherence to quality standards; work to improve the reliability of market intelligence; and work with the Secretary of Transportation to update the interagency memorandum of understanding (MOU) that governs cargo preference requirements.
Item Description:	Title from cover screen (viewed on June 6, 2009). "May 2009." "The Web version of this report posted on June 4, 2009, reflects a change to table 3 on page 39. Item 2 deleted references to the specific maximum tonnage percentages allowed on foreign-flag vessels. This change was made to fully reflect agencies' technical comments on a draft of this report"--Cover. "GAO-09-570." Electronic resource.
Physical Description:	iv, 95 pages : digital, PDF file.
Format:	System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Mode of access: World Wide Web from GAO web site. Address as of 6/6/09: http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d09570.pdf ; current access available via PURL.
Bibliography:	Includes bibliographical references.