public policy update 3-9-2012

8/2/2019 Public Policy Update 3-9-2012

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PUBLIC POLICY UPDATEMarch 9, 2012

WASHINGTON UPDATE

Analysis: Administrator Shahs congressional hearings on the FY2013 USAID budgetUSAID administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah appeared before the House State, Foreign OperationsAppropriations Subcommittee and Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday to defend hisagencys proposed budget for FY2013. While last weeks hearings with Secretary of State HillaryClinton were major events, this weeks hearings were short and sparsely attended, with only half adozen senators and representatives attending in their respective committees. Such turnouts likelyreflect the lower opinion Congress has of development aid, despite what Secretary Clinton maysay about elevating it to the level of defense and diplomacy in its importance to the U.S. foreignpolicy apparatus.

Anemic interest on the part of Congress aside, the hearings did bring provide some valuableinsights into how USAID plans to achieve its goals, and what lawmakers think of its designs. Theoverall atmosphere of the hearings was respectful and cordial, if not friendly, and there seemed tobe a genuine desire to get substantive questions answered. While the topics covered variedgreatly, there were a few major themes that carried throughout:

Funding Levels Though the issue of multiyear funding commitments in the midst of aneconomic downturn was mentioned, surprisingly most questions in this area regarded theallocation of funds, rather than their overall level. Particular concern was raised overdecreasing assistance to Latin American countries; Rep. Diaz-Balart (R-FL) specificallydecried a 25 percent cut to pro-democracy funding for Cuba. There also appeared to be

some apprehension over decreased funding for global health programs, with membersquestioning whether our previously-stated goals can still be met. Shah downplayed theseconcerns, stating that while tough choices were being made (165 programs received cuts),increased efficiency, falling costs and increasing partner participation helped to make itpossible to reallocate funds to places where they could do the most good. In his openingstatement, the administrator spoke of improved efficiency at the agency and efforts at bothprocurement reform and improved oversight of spending on projects.

Global Health The status and effectiveness of health programs was a topic that cameup multiple times. Funding cuts to programs were acknowledged, but there was aninsistence that they could still be successful. Shah claimed that costs of antiretroviral andother medications were decreasing, allowing for the same level of effectiveness with less

funding. He also mentioned the successes of PEPFAR and the Presidents MalariaInitiative, and stated that both programs would continue to receive full support.Responding to a question posed by Sen. Luger (R-IN) about health systems, theadministrator stated that USAID conducts assessments to measure the capabilities of localinstitutions, and that it helps those institutions build their capacities to provide medicaltreatment not reliant upon foreign aid.

Food Security Shah promoted the Feed the Future initiative, touting the merits of long-term food security programs. The topic of efficiency came up here again, with the


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administrators claim that such programs are seven to 10 times cheaper thanadministering emergency food aid in times of crisis. Shah also stressed the importance ofnutritional programs, including the 1,000 Days approach, and USAIDs commitment tousing enriched foods. On the question of opposition to genetically modified crops byEuropean states, Shah stated that policy dictates each recipient country or organizationdecide for themselves what seeds and technologies they wish to make use of.

Women Gender-focused programs came up in both houses, with the value of theNational Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security cited by the administrator in eachcase. USAID is said to have tools at its disposal to measure the impact that all of itsprograms (not just gender-specific ones) have on women and girls. Responding to aquestion about controversial family planning initiatives, Shah touted the success ofprograms that focused on infant and child mortality, as well as education for better familyplanning.

Education Shah admitted in his opening statement that the quality of education in targetcountries has declined in recent years, even as primary school enrollment has increased.Rep. Lowey (D-NY) grilled him on this topic, condemning the absence of education from

USAIDs stated core goals. The administrator apologized for this oversight, and promisedthat education would be added to a revised list of core goals. U.S. support for the GlobalPartnership for Education was also mentioned.

Many other issues of interest to the development community were discussed during the course ofthese two brief hearings, from technological innovations to obstacles to delivering aid into Syriaand Somalia. There was concern about some of the specifics of how USAIDs budget wasallocated, but seemingly no outright criticisms of the overall size of the budget. While this mayseem like a positive sign for the FY2013 aid budget, it should be remembered that these hearingswere lightly attended, and that those most critical of foreign aid may simply have skipped them.Given a divided Congress, the current political atmosphere, and the upcoming election, it isprobably safe to say that the struggle over development spending will be anything but easy.

However, these hearing do help to show that there are members of Congress genuinelyinterested in ensuring that the United States has robust and effective foreign assistanceprograms.

UPCOMING HEARINGS

Hearing: Pending nominations.Committee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Witnesses:

Fredrick Barton, to be assistant secretary of state, conflict and stabilization operations,and to be coordinator for reconstruction and stabilization, State Department

William Todd, to be ambassador to the Kingdom of Cambodia

Sara Margalit Aviel, to be U.S. alternate executive director, International Bank forReconstruction and Development

When: March 13, 2012, 10:00 a.m.Where: 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingContact: 202-224-4651 http://foreign.senate.gov

Hearing: Pending nominationsCommittee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
http://foreign.senate.gov/http://foreign.senate.gov/


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Witnesses: Carlos Pascual, assistant Secretary of State John Stevens, ambassador to Libya Jacob Walles, ambassador to the Tunisian Republic

When: March 13, 2012, 2:30 p.m.Where: 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingContact: 202-224-4651 http://foreign.senate.gov

Hearing: Sudan and South Sudan: Independence and InsecurityCommittee: Senate Foreign Relations Committee.Witnesses:

George Clooney, Satellite Sentinel Project John Prendergast, Satellite Sentinel Project Princeton Lyman, Special Envoy for Sudan

When: March 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m.Where: 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingContact: 202-224-4651 http://foreign.senate.gov

Hearing: Budget for the U.S. Agency for International Development.Committee: Senate Appropriations Committee; State Foreign Operations and Related ProgramSubcommitteeWitnesses: TBAWhen: March 14, 2012, 10:00 a.m.Where: 226 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingContact: 202-224-7363 http://appropriations.senate.gov

Hearing: Pending nominations.Committee: Senate Foreign Relations CommitteeWitnesses:

Pamela White, ambassador to the Republic of Haiti, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, director general of foreign service, State Department Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, ambassador to the Republic of Malta.

When: March 14, 2012, 2:30 p.m.Where: 419 Dirksen Senate Office BuildingContact: 202-224-4651 http://foreign.senate.gov

HEARING SUMMARIES

Horn of Africa: The Continuing Food, Refugee and Humanitarian CrisisTom Lantos Human Rights Commission

March 8, 2012Witnesses:

Panel Io Nancy Lindborg, assistant administrator, Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and

Humanitarian Assistance, USAIDo Deborah Malac, director, Office of East Africa Affairs, U.S. Department of Stateo Margaret McKelvey, director, Office of Assistance for Africa, U.S. Department of

State
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Panel IIo Allan Jury, UN World Food Program

Panel IIIo Mark Yarnell, Refugees International

Panel I

Opening Statements:

Chair James P. McGovern (D-MA) As a result of the worst drought in 60 years and continued armed conflict, a humanitarian

state of emergency affecting 13 million people has emerged in the Horn of Africa. There are currently 250,000 people who need immediate food assistance, Somalia being

the worst hit by the conflict and food shortage. Although drought has eased this year, the conflict, food insecurity and large refugee flows

continue.

Nancy Lindborg Mobilization of U.S. foreign assistance ($210 million to Somalia) worked, and the UN

declared end of famine Feb. 3, 2012. The crisis, however, is far from over and the solution depends on stabilizing Somalia,

where the rains are inadequate and the situation remains dire. In Ethiopia and Kenya, productive safety net programs, efforts at supporting young

children through nutrition assistance, and enabling people to build and protect assets(livestock) were successful.

There will be a meeting held in Nairobi at the end of March that will be an important call foraction from the international community to continue efforts of building resilience andempower the people affected In the Horn of Africa.

Lessons learned from the Horn of Africa are being used in the Sahel region of South

Sudan.

Margaret McKelvey

Despite the famines end, the political conflict in Somalia still drives people from theirhomes.

In 2011 there was a 30 percent increase in the number of refugees; however, in the recentpast, there have been 3,000 refugees being registered a month as opposed to 3,000 a dayat the height of the famine (figures do not include the unregistered refugees moving in withalready registered refugees in the camps especially Dadaab).

The Kenyan Red Cross has maintained assistance, despite the insecurity limitinghumanitarian access in Dadaab.

The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) is cautiously optimistic on the security

situation and appreciates the $3 million in security funds from the U.S. government to theKenyan authorities and UNHCR. The Kenyan government is considering reopening refugee registration. Malnutrition rates are still high and violence against women is prevalent. The biggest problem facing the refugees is the right of first asylum. Mixing political and humanitarian endeavors is dangerous to humanitarian efforts and

workers. Feb. 2, 2012, marked the 20th anniversary of the opening of the Dadaab Refugee Camp.


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Sudanese refugees are increasing in number due to the insecurity in both Sudan andSouth Sudan.

Deborah Malac

There is need for vigilance and renewed efforts in the region; the situation is extremelyfragile and all efforts should be to prevent backsliding.

There is a critical security threat with the increase in the number of refugees requiringassistance, making it hard to maintain the right of first asylum by the neighboringcountries.

Drought is a natural occurrence, but famine is manmade. The actions of al-Shabab madethe situation worse by not allowing the locals build resilience to the drought.

The U.S. is planning to increase aid by $63 million, and the Horn of Africa working group isattempting to synchronize humanitarian work in the region.

Emergency assistance alone will not solve the underlying problem.

Questioning:

Chair McGovern (D-MA)1. Are the funds appropriated adequate to meet the needs?

Lindborg:o The challenge is to grab attention on Capitol Hill. The number of those affected

is a staggering 13 million.o Attention should not be lost, and looking on how to build resilience on efforts

already made should be a priority.2. With respect to alleged restrictions in refugee camps in Ethiopia, what is the international

community doing? McKelvey:

o There is a good partnership with Ethiopia; however the Ethiopian centralgovernment controls initiatives, and the civil society partners they work with toa higher extent, by directing where and what they are to do.

o The Ethiopian government is less willing to have a refugee camp in Gode.3. The UN is moving their Somalia office from Nairobi to Mogadishu; is the U.S. planning on

following suit? Malac: U.S. is observing very carefully and looking at every possible opportunity, but it

will be a while before any permanent moves are made.4. What is not being done that should be?

Lindborg:o Connecting with each other and following through with the commitments

pledged.o Keeping the spotlight on the urgency of the situation and the opportunities

available for the U.S. to demonstrate world leadership on ending hunger.

Panel II

Opening Statements:

Chair McGovern (D-MA) There is need for a joint meeting of Democrat and Republican caucuses to discuss the

issue at length. This is an issue that affects national security and needs bipartisan, unbiased effort.


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Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)

When you feed people, they like you, which opens opportunities for important friendshipsthat align with U.S. national security interests.

The U.S. should stabilize regions through food assistance and allow the people to meettheir own needs and capacities.

Alan Jury

The humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa is the most serious food situation in the worldtoday and requires vigilance to be maintained in tackling it.

There are 1.3 million internally displaced persons (IDPs), 560,000 refugees in Kenya and298,000 refugees in Ethiopia.

World Food Program (WFP) food assistance provides nutrition to both refugees anddrought affected persons.

WFP has access to the north-central Mogadishu region and some boarder regions of thesouth.

An estimated 2.3 million people remain in crisis, unable to meet basic needs even after theend of the famine.

There is an increased probability of low rainfall until August 2012 harvest season. South Sudan suffers from the same problems as Somalia, with a food deficit of 60 percent

when compared to last year. 4.7 million people are in danger of suffering from foodinsecurity with a million people suffering severely.

Three main challenges are:o Millions need food assistance and the rains are inadequate.o Limited access for humanitarian aid in Somalia.o Need for the international community support in disaster preparedness by building

resilience as vigilant as they have supported humanitarian efforts.

Questioning:

Rep. Donna Edwards (D-MD)1. How does the transition of moving from food aid assistance to long-term resilience building

work? Jury:

o Long term assistance doesnt involve giving food aid but is geared towardscash and agricultural development.

o This would rely heavily on how the Feed the Future Initiative and thedevelopment accounts are able to integrate.

Panel III

Mark Yarnell The situation remains critical and fragile, and in January and February there was a major

displacement of persons as a result of insecurity. Refugee registration in Kenya has not resumed, and unregistered refugees do not have

access to services. The Kenyan government wants to return Somalis to Somalia; however, this should be a

voluntary act by the refugees. There has been unacceptable behavior by the Kenya police to the refugees.


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In Ethiopia, malnutrition rates remain high and the government is restricting access tocamps, and therefore restricting information coming out of the camps.

There is dire need of oversight in Ethiopia.

Questioning:

Chair McGovern (D-MA)1. What can the U.S. and the international community do to better assist the IDPs?

Yarnell: Camps managed by the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) have verylittle oversight; U.S. should work closer with the TFG.

2. What does it mean when a refugee isnt registered? Yarnell: They lack eligibility to receive services like food, healthcare and water,

meaning that a good number of people in need miss out on the aid efforts being putforth.

3. What are the U.S. and the international community doing on police training? Yarnell: In the past, some of the training was done by the UN with little follow through,

and it was never determined how effective the efforts were.

Senate Budget CommitteePerspectives on the FY2013 Budget Request for Department of Defense

March 6, 2012

Witnesses:

Dr. Michael E. OHanlon, Brookings Institution. Lt. Gen. David W. Barno (Ret), Center for a New American Security Dr. James Jay Carafano, Allison Center for Foreign Policy Studies, The Heritage

Foundation

Opening Statements:

Chair Kent Conrad (D-ND) Providing for the national defense is the governments single most important responsibility:

Iran and Syria are the most troubling hotspots, but Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan shouldnot be forgotten.

Due to the current economic situation, there is need to find more savings in the coredefense budget.

Sequester requested will save $1 trillion in the next 10 years; it is, however, poorlydesigned.

Sequester should remain at the $487 billion agreed upon in the Budget Control Act. Administrative costs at the Department of Defense (DoD) have mushroomed.

The more DoD spends on health care, the harder it is to find resources to devote toimproving fighting capability. Its unacceptable that Pentagon remains unauditable; this makes it hard to weed out

waste, fraud and abuse.

Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL)

The government should stick to the $487 billion sequester goal. Cuts should be discreet and not endanger national security. The U.S. debt is the greatest threat to national security.


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Witnesses:

Dr. Michael E. OHanlon

The sequester numbers given by the administration are unrealistic. The $487 billionreduction over a 10-year period requirement is too high.

Lt. Gen. David W. Barno Any defense drawback must respect those whom have served and continue to serve. Suggested sequester is too high and would place U.S. security in jeopardy.

Dr. James Jay Carafano Defense planning should be thought of as insurance planning. The suggested defense budget will make a military force that will not meet U.S. defensive

needs. Real savings in the defense budget should come from:

o resizing DoD staffo health reform within DoDo reform of procurement and auditing systemso following through on other reforms.

Questioning:

Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD)1. In terms of U.S. budget priorities; where does defense spending lie?

o OHanlon: At the top two or three.o Barno: Most important aspect of the government spending.o Carafano: Top priority as stated in the constitution.

2. Why is the Obama administration cutting defense budget first?o Carafano: Its the largest part of the countrys discretionary spending budget.

3. Whats the number one impediment to intelligent, efficient defense spending?o Barno: Bureaucracy reform would save a lot.o Carafano: Congress the longer they take to act, the harder it is for DoD to work.o OHanlon: Reforming how defense is done is difficult, and the military hasnt done too

badly.

Ranking Member Jeff Sessions (R-AL)1. What are the pros and cons of reversibility theory?

Barno:o When ground forces numbers are dropped beyond pre 9/11 levels, we will be at

greater risk.o Reversibility argument is that forces can be grown within a conflict.o The reserve component of the military is more skilled, experienced, and very capable.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH)1. Has the world become less dangerous?

o OHanlon: Compared to the Cold War, yes; compared to the 1990s, no.o Carafano & Barno: More dangerous compared to the 1990s.

2. How good is the U.S. at predicting conflict?o OHanlon: Less than 50 percent.


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3. What risks are being taken with the suggested cuts?o Carafano: The force structure suggested is inadequate even for day-to-day business.o OHanlon: Portfolio has shifted in maritime and irregular domains.o Barno: Its important to ask for the risk assessment for better decision-making and

shift away from the cold war models.4. Sequestration will hollow forces both in the Navy and Air Force; is it responsible to allow it to

go through?Barno and OHanlon: Sequestration is irresponsible.

International Development Priorities in the FY2013 BudgetSenate Foreign Affairs Committee

Mar. 6, 2012

Witnesses:

Rajiv Shah, administrator, USAID

Opening Statements:

Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin (D-MD) International Development is critical to U.S. national security, maintaining global

leadership and global security. Development assistance expands the export market, and istherefore in the U.S. economic interest.

The international development budget should focus on establishing good governance,empowering and enabling women, and strengthening global health and food security. Allof these issues are key to fighting poverty.

The committee wants to sustain investments in development and believes that theinternational affairs budget should not be cut, but reformed and used effectively.

Ranking Member Richard G. Lugar (R-IN) The U.S. is facing domestic challenges that put pressure on the federal budget. It is

important that the government uses tax dollars effectively. Global food security and global heath are the committees two biggest priorities. In order to

combat these issues, it is necessary to increase productivity in agriculture and combatinfectious diseases.

In the proposed USAID budget, 470 million was given to climate change initiatives, but willthis project have great benefits for development?

Rajiv Shah Two years ago, USAID was asked by President Obama to elevate development and so

USAID has tried to be more responsive, effective and efficient. In order to address funding constraints this year, the food and health program funding was

cut in some countries and then reallocated to nations that were in the greatest need andwhere the funding can have the biggest impact.

USAID also changed its model of partnership to now include faith-based groups,universities, local civil society groups, NGOs, etc.

The USAID budget request lists two top priories: the Arab Spring and the frontlines inAfghanistan.


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Questioning:

Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)1. The budget is very tight, but USAID is moving forward with new initiatives like the Arab Spring

fund. What types of programs are likely to be compromised? Shah:

o USAID has cut over 165 programs, and is working to concentrate resources andreallocate the funds to places where they are needed most.

o USAID is also working in many nations, such as Panama and Montenegro, totransition to country ownership.

2. What is being done to increase transparency in USAID? Shah: USAID just signed the International Aid Transparency Initiative. We are also

developing new country websites to show all the programs in each country, and launchingan evaluation database that will be made public.

3. How is USAID integrating gender equality policies into every program? Shah: USAID is creating operational policies to measure the impact of every program on

women and girls.

Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN)1. There is great resistance to genetically modified (GM) seeds, especially in Europe. How has

USAID overcome resistance to GM seeds, considering they can increase agriculturalproductivity? Shah: USAID is engaging in real partnerships with organizations on the ground and

working with countries to develop their own products. Then they can make their owndecisions on what seeds and technology they want to use.

2. To what extent are health institutions changing, and how will they continue their work afterUSAID funding ends. Shah: USAID conducts assessments to make such countries take a greater role in

providing health services to its citizens, rather than relying on outside donors andorganizations.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)1. Why is there so little funding and assistance being provided to Latin America and the

Caribbean? From 2008-2012, assistance to these regions fell 13.8 percent, and this yearsspending request for ESF is down 7 percent. There is a huge lack of assistance to Guatemala,which is a nation that has great need due to the drug trade, health issues, and anti-democracymovements challenging the rights of citizens. What is the justification for the lack of assistanceand how does USAID set priorities of countries in need? Shah:

o USAID has maintained the budget for Latin America this year. The budget that hasbeen directed to Latin America has been focused on security, mostly in Mexico.

o Guatemala and El Salvador have been made priorities within Feed the Future and we

are seeing serious results.o Many countries that were recipients are now becoming donors, such as Brazil.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)1. How are USAID investments benefiting the U.S.?

Shah:o In Africa, at least 15 countries have seen great growth, which establishes a

common market. So there are big business opportunities on the continent.


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o USAID is also helping American institutions and the private sector to participate indevelopment by creating business plans that can be implemented in order toengage in new markets.

2. USAID plans to increase the number of people on antiretroviral drugs (ARVs), but with areduction of funding, is this goal overly ambitious? Shah: We believe that the goal is achievable, since the cost of ARVs is decreasing. We

are committed to our objectives.3. In regard to the 470 million allocated to climate, what effect will it have?

Shah:o USAID is using these funds to create more climate-resistant agriculture, meaning

resilience to drought, decreased vulnerability to flooding, etc.o We have a partnership with NASA to plan for and adapt to weather trends.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)1. How are USAID staff held accountable to ensure that funding is being invested into women?

Shaho Data have proven the benefits of investing in women, so USAID has helped

develop the National Action Plan for Women, Peace and Security.o Also, in the agriculture program at USAID, there is the Womens Empowerment

Index to measure womens influence in farming.o Finally, USAID is providing women with mobile phones for banking.

2. Family planning for women has always been internationally controversial. How can we getbeyond that controversy? Shah:

o The USAID program to support family planning has been very successful. We havediscovered that by reducing child mortality, families invest more in their children,which leads to great education and better family planning.

o In order to reduce child mortality, it is necessary to provide the ability for women toset the time between their pregnancies.

Sen. Christopher Coons (D-DE)1. How do we continue to beat challenges in global development, especially using science and

technology, and how does this budget request help this? Shah:

o In order to lower the cost of development assistance, we are trying to invent newsolutions and create new technology. Innovations are being developed inuniversities that can aid development and reduce costs.

o USAID has sent out a request for partnerships with U.S. institutions anduniversities to create new innovations. We want to engage American innovation ina way that reduces costs.

2. What is the current situation of the humanitarian crisis in the Horn of Africa, and what can bedone in the future? Shah:

o USAID provided 60 percent of the global response to the crisis.o We have learned that the Famine Early Warning system should be used more

aggressively, and we should listen more carefully to estimates and plan ahead.


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FY2013 Budget for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)House Appropriations Committee State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs

SubcommitteeMarch 6, 2012

Witnesses:

Rajiv Shah, administrator, USAID

Opening Statements:

Chair Kay Granger (R-TX)

USAID has done commendable work increasing private sector engagement andimproving accountability in foreign aid programs.

While efforts to strengthen recipient government capacity are important, carefulattention must be paid to direct assistance programs.

Funding for the Global Health account has fallen can we still achieve our goals in

this area? Multiyear foreign assistance obligations during a time of economic crisis may be

unwise; such commitments may also distract from democracy promotion and otherpriorities.

The deteriorating security situation in Afghanistan calls into question whether thecurrent assistance strategy can be successful.

Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY)

USAID is becoming more innovative and is making more of an impact, promotingstability overseas and reducing threats faced at home.

Working Capital Fund will be essential for ensuring that resources are used

efficiently and effectively. Funding cuts to the Global Health Initiative could threaten the strength of our

efforts. Nutrition programs are essential for supporting global health; how will USAID make

improvements in nutrition when the funding is being lowered? Education programs are proven to aid in poverty reduction and improved health,

but they have been vastly underfunded; what is to be done about this?

Rajiv Shah

USAIDs efforts are as vital to U.S. interests as our defense and diplomacy. Efficiency and reform:

o USAID Forward initiative has aided in efforts to evaluate the effectiveness ofprograms.

o Procurement reform efforts seek to increase the level of engagement withhost country partners instead of more costly consultants and contractors.

o The Working Capital Fund will improve oversight of procurement process.o The Accountable Assistance for Afghanistan initiative will enhance project

oversight and improve partner vetting.


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The proposed Middle East North Africa Incentive Fund will be used to incentivizelong-term economic, political and trade reforms in countries throughout the region.

Global Health Initiativeo Programs like PEPFAR and the Presidents Malaria Initiative have proven

effective in the past and will continue to receive substantial funding.

o Falling costs, increased investments by partner governments, and improvedefficiency allow for modest funding decreases without threatening overallefforts.

Feed the Future is focusing on country-owned strategies to improve long-term foodsecurity in 20 target countries which is seven to 10 times cheaper than providingfood aid in times of crisis.

Investing in sustainable landscapes and alternative energy sources can helpcommunities become more resilient in the face of climate change.

Though primary school enrollment has increased, the quality of educationdelivered has fallen in recent years. USAIDs new strategy seeks to solve thisproblem and improve literacy levels significantly by 2015.

Questioning

Chair Kay Granger (R-TX)1. Given the impending changeover from private contractors to the Afghan Public

Protection Force (APPF), are you confident that the APPF will be able to ensuresecurity for USAID programs?

Shah:o Security is taken very seriously civilian staff have followed the militarys

lead in withdrawing from Afghan ministries following recent attacks.o USAID has already been reducing its security footprint in the country

currently 75 percent of programs do not require a significant securitypresence.

o USAID is working with the Afghan and U.S. militaries to ensure anorderly transition.

o Waivers from new legislation are being sought to allow for continuedprivate protection of a small number of particularly sensitive projects.

2. How does USAID balance efforts to fund and support both government and civilsociety groups?

Shah:o Center of Excellence on Democracy, Human Rights and Governance

works to build capacity in multiple sectors.

o USAID focuses aid and engagement in three areas: local NGOs, localprivate sector groups and local governments.

3. Does USAID consider a governments commitment to democracy beforeadministering funds?

Shah: Yes: USAID is working with the MCC and other groups to createbetter guidelines for determining democratic commitment.


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Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY)1. Why is the U.S. not investing more in education? How can we expect to progress

in health, food security and other goals without improved education? Shah: USAID is supporting the Global Partnership for Education, as well as

partnerships with governments and organizations in individual countries.

2. But why is education not one of USAIDs stated core goals? Shah: It should be, but it wasnt listed as such because it was not one of the

largest budget items. The revised listing will include education as a coregoal.

Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK)1. How will the proposed $770 million Middle East North Africa Incentive Fund be

used? Shah:

o Last year the administration faced difficulties finding funding forimmediate problems arising because of the Arab Spring.

o Will be utilized similar to funds for Eastern bloc countries at the end ofthe Cold War.o Fund provides flexibility in dealing with both public and private

partnerships.2. The U.S. military is shifting its focus towards Asia; is USAID moving in the same

direction? Shah: Yes, though not necessarily through large shifts in funding. USAID is

focusing on technology-based partnerships and other specific types ofprograms in Asia.

Rep. Jesse Jackson, Jr. (D-IL)

1. Liberia and the U.S. have a long, special relationship; what is the U.S. doing topromote effective development solutions there? Shah:o USAID has ongoing successful programs improving Liberian education and

agriculture.o Work is also being done on improving infrastructure in the energy sector.

2. Famine in the Horn of Africa is causing increasing instability in the region; what arewe doing about it?

Shah:o This is the worst drought seen in 60 years; 35,000 children had died by

September.

o USAID has learned lessons from the 1990-91 famine, but al-Shabab haskicked out many of our more effective partners in the region.o This is going to be a tough year things may get worse before they get

better.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)1. This years budget sees a 25 percent decrease in democracy assistance to Cuba;

how can this decrease be justified in the face of worsening repression?


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Shah: USAID believes that the $50 million requested is sufficient to meetthis years planned goals.

2. Have any other countries faced program cuts of a similar size? Shah: This years budget includes cuts to 165 programs across the globe.

The recommended funding should be sufficient for this program.

Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA)1. What progress is being made in USAIDs branding efforts? How are such activities

being carried out? Shah: USAID is enacting more visible programs, making greater use of

local consultations and has improved its media engagement.2. A number of violent groups are active in the Horn of Africa; how is USAID ensuring

that our money stays out of the wrong hands? Shah: USAID utilizes a policy of track, measure, report:

o Using monitors to track food aid as it moves through markets.o Measuring health improvements in the affected areas.

o Analyzing reports based on the data to ensure things are going asplanned

Ranking Member Nita Lowey (D-NY)1. What is USAID doing to promote the rights of women around the world?

Shah:o Following the National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security.o Tools are in place to measure program results.o Support given to local institutions women rely on.

2. What is being done in the nutrition realm? Shah:

o Support for the 1,000 Days approach.o Focus on enriched foods: nutritional quality, not food quantity.o An increased emphasis on more diverse diets.

Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart (R-FL)1. Why has an untested partisan group been given such a large portion of Cuban pro-

democracy funding over better-established groups like the National DemocraticInstitute or the International Republican Institute? Is this going to be Solyndra allover again?

Shah:o There is an open competition process for USAID contracts applications

are visible on www.grants.gov.

o Three of the four programs receiving funding this year have receivedfunds under this program in the past.

Rep. Charles Dent (R-PA)1. Is aid to Syria going through USAID? How is it being administered?
http://www.grants.gov/http://www.grants.gov/


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Shah:o Aid is being administered through USAID and the Bureau of Population,

Refugees and Migration at the State Department.o Access to the affected areas is proving to be the greatest challenge.

2. Are we delivering aid directly into Syria?

Shah: We have long-established partnerships with organizations that havelocal capabilities; we are working through them.3. Would arming the Syrian opposition make it safer for the U.S. to deliver aid to

civilians? Shah: I have no response to that.

Syria: The Crisis and its ImplicationsSenate Committee on Foreign Relations

March 1, 2012

Witnesses:

Jeffrey Feltman, assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs, Departmentof State

Ambassador Robert Ford to the Syrian Arab Republic

Opening Statements:

Chair John Kerry (D-MA)

Its clear the Assad regime is going to fall. The longer the end game, themore complicated and messy the in-between and aftermath, especiallyregarding the sectarian situation.

The Friends of Syria conference galvanized the international communityagainst the Assad government.

The Russian and Chinese Security Council vetoes were disappointing, butwe need to encourage their positive involvement.

o We are able and prepared to do much more if they continue blockingprogress on the Security Council.

o We need to identify opposition leadership and redouble our efforts toengage with them and encourage the creation of a unified, coherentopposition force.

There are concerns about Syrias biological and chemical weaponsstockpiles, as well as their conventional weapons capabilities.

Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN)

We need to continue to focus attention on humanitarian needs in Syria Events in Syria will impact the national security of both the U.S. and Israel:

o Likely that terrorist groups will try to take advantage of instability in Syria. Many pressures will likely halt the creation of a unified intervention, but we should

not overestimate our influence to shape events in Syria. We should be skeptical of actions that commit the U.S. to military intervention.


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Assistant Secretary Jeffrey Feltman

International support for a change in Syria:o The Arab League created a transition plan, and the Syrian opposition in

Tunis presented a clear transition plan;

o Over 170 countries supported the UN General Assembly resolution tocondemn the violence in Syria;o UN Human Rights Council overwhelmingly passed a strong resolution to

identify the situation in Syria as a man-made humanitarian disaster. We are supporting these international resolutions and demanding that attacks

cease and humanitarian access be granted.

Ambassador Robert Ford

Thanks the SFRC for their continued support and attention. Seconded Assistant Secretary of State Feltmans statement.

Questioning:

Chair John Kerry (D-MA)1. What is your perception of the strength and state of the Assad regime right now?

Ford:o The regime is under greater pressure than ever before. The military has

retained cohesion, but there are lots of desertions.o Within the ruling circle, there is concern and awareness that the

business community is very unhappy. They have been rapidly changingtheir economic policies to appease this community. They are alsoconcerned about lack of support on the street.

Feltman: Meetings such as recent Friends of Syria one in Tunis produce waysto appeal to the broader Syrian population, including the business community,to move the population toward change and toward that tipping point.

2. A number of Arab countries are taking a number of unprecedented steps. Can youspeak to that? What is the potential for that to impact the outcome in Syria? Feltman:

o We are backing the Arab Leagues transition plan. Syria saw itself as anintegral part of the Arab League.

o The Arab Spring showed leaders that opinion polls and public opinion arecritical. Public support of Assad in the region is at an all time low, andpeople are aware that Assad has made Syria a partner of and proxy for Iran.

3. Based on your experiences in Lebanon, can you share with us your perception of theethno-sectarian violence in Syria? Feltman: Minorities fear that Syria will look like Lebanon and Iraq. Part of our

challenge is to prove that this will not happen if Assad falls.4. What are the dynamics between the internal local groups?


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Ford:o The Syrian National Council and Free Syrian Army are separate

organizations. They are not officially linked, but they do communicate witheach other.

o On the ground, local revolutionary councils are establishing themselves,

such as in Homs.

Ranking Member Richard Lugar (R-IN)1. Can you comment generally on the critical problems, such as the economic

situation and food shortages? And can we reasonably anticipate a transition with eventhe vestiges of democracy in the next three to five years?

Feltman:o The dangers are real. That is why our policies are intended to accelerate

this tipping point. The longer the violence goes on, the higher the risk forsectarian divisions and extremism. The opposition has a commoninterest in preserving the fabric of Syrian society.

o

The business community needs to understand that their future is betterensured under a different system then the status quo.o Sanctions have not cut off humanitarian supplies. We are making sure

that we have supplies already positioned. We need to make sure wehave the money to pay for known partners with conflict experience whocan get these humanitarian supplies to the population.

Ford:o The economic situation is in a sharp downward spiral. We have tried to

target sanctions so they dont hurt civilians, but they have had a real,broad impact.

o The Assad regime will try and paint the opposition as Sunni Arab Islamic

extremists and will try to frighten the minority communities. It is importantthat Americans understand that this is not a sectarian conflict.

Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ)1. Has there been talk of imposing sanctions against Russian and Chinese entities

selling arms? What is happening on the Security Council? Feltman:

o Russia is not going to preserve those interests. It is not a wise move andthere is already a discomfort in Russia regarding their involvement.

o This is the type of situation that deserves Security Council action.2. Is there a possibility of a disintegration into a civil war? What would the implications

on Syrias neighbors, especially Lebanon and Jordan, be? Feltman: There is already a spillover effect into Lebanon.

Sen. James Risch (R-ID)1. Can you speak to the nature of the community as a whole? Are minorities integrated,

and how does that affect social life and cultural values? Ford:


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o The youth are critically important. They want a country where people aretreated with dignity and have a vision of a country ruled by law.

o Values and norms are changing due to increased access to the outsideworld.

2. Are changing norms spilling over to the cultural hardwiring they have and changing

interethnic relations? Ford: They are trying to express no sectarian divisions, and not letting the

Assad regime play communities off of each other.

Sen. Benjamin Cardin (D-MD)1. What can we do to minimize the suffering that is taking place now and until the Assad

regime is removed? What can we do working with international partners to provide thebest opportunity for the safety of the civilian population in Syria?

Feltman:o The consensus in Tunis was that we need to be doing more for the

humanitarian situation. We need to work with organizations with

experience working in conflict.o Getting goods in is a critical short-term goal, as well as taking stock of

where goods are prepositioned. Consensus is that we all need to beworking with opposition forces for that.

2. What is the status of Hamas and its movement in Syria? How we are going to counterthat influence?

Feltman: It says something when a terrorist regime that has been coddled foryears by the regime is also pulling out.

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL)1. Is Venezuela still shipping oil to Syria?

Feltman: Yes, they arent prohibited in shipping diesel to Syria. It may bemorally wrong, but not legally wrong.2. Syria has been a haven for terrorism for decades. Our involvement must be symbolic

of our vision of the world. By helping the civilians, America can be seen favorably inthe region and cultivate another ally. Feltman: People are not going to embrace another type of tyranny. Al-Qaedas

ideology has no appeal to young protestors around the region. Ford: It is telling that during demonstrations in Syria they burn Russian, Chinese,

and Hezbollah flags. Most important thing we can do going forward is to continuerepeating support for respect of universal human rights.

Sen. Robert Casey Jr. (D-PA)1. Need a policy or strategy to demonstrate and prove our solidarity with the Syrianpeople. Our other imperative is to strengthen commitment to humanitarian andmedical assistance. We committed $10 million to refugees and IDPs during theFriends of Syria meeting, but what was agreed upon in Tunis, especially in relation tohumanitarian assistance and what the U.S. can do?


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Feltman:o First part of discussion of humanitarian issues is how to help countries

around Syria that are hosting refugees. There are no large-scale refugeecamps. People have gone to families and friends, especially in Lebanon.We need to work out how to get aid to those host families.

o The second question is how to get access inside Syria. Assad is trying toprevent the international community from providing a humanitarianresponse.

Feltman and Ford: We have supplies prepositioned we just need access.Russians have expressed concern about this situation. We would like to seethis concern translated into action and pressure on the regime.

Sen. Bob Corker (R-TN)1. Ambassador Ford, can you enlighten us on the real situation? This hearing is night

and day from the classified intelligence briefing. Ford: The opposition is divided and fractured, with competing visions. There are

also Islamic and secular elements. This is why there is a need for the opposition tounify around the transition plan.2. This is not a democracy movement.

Ford:o Respectfully disagree. The public statements from figures in the

opposition speak of supporting democracy.o We do not know how they would act once in power, but we are

supporting a transition that the Syrian National Council set up with aroadmap designed by the Arab League.

3. Is it in our national interest to be involved in military operations and/or armingoperations to overthrow the Assad government?

Ford: This is a complex question that cannot be talked about yet. Will note againthat we have been supporting the plan for a political transition developed by theArab League.

Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA)1. What can we expect in the future?

Feltman: We have no idea how these transitions work out, but the Arab Leaguetransition plan was designed with the threats of chaos and civil war in mind. Thetransition would work to preserve state unity and parts of the current system.

2. Why has China declined to be more forthcoming? Feltman: China usually tends to follow Russia on the Security Council.

Sen. Tom Udall (D-NM)1. Reports that Qatar and Saudi Arabia are arming/planning to arm the rebels. What is

the U.S. position, and are we communicating our position on this issue? Feltman: This is a topic being discussed with neighbors and allies. Too soon to

comment on this.2. What are doing to account for the regimes weapons of mass destruction, if and when

the regime falls? Is this an issue that is being discussed?


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Feltman: Syria isnt a signatory of the Chemical Weapons Convention. Wehave no indication that stockpiles have fallen out of government control. This isanother reason why a managed transition is so critical.

ARTICLES AND REPORTS

BBCMarch 08: Oxfam warns of West Africa drought catastropheA severe food crisis in the Sahel region of West Africa threatens millions with malnutrition.Drought, a refugee crisis caused by fighting in Mali, and the lingering effects of last years faminethreaten the lives of those in the affected region.

CNNMarch 8: Girls at risk: Starting a revolution for teenage mothers.Sierra Leone and Liberia have some of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world. ForInternational Womens Day, womens advocates are trying to spotlight young teenage mothershealth, stating that every girl must have quality education and be informed about sexual andreproductive health, while calling out for more support in the effort.

March 6: Opposition: 35 killed in Syria as regime attacks escape route to Lebanon.Political leaders from across the globe are calling for collective action to assist Syrian civilians.Meanwhile, the Syrian government blames the violence on armed terrorist groups and portraysits forces as trying to protect the public interests and security. For months, diplomatic efforts fromaround the world have failed to stop the bloodshed.

March 6: China urges the U.S. to tread carefully on core interests.Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi stated that U.S. and China were in close communicationon the issues of Syria and Iran. China opposes the development and possession of nuclearweapons, but added that countries have the right to peaceful use of nuclear energy, and that theIran nuclear issue should be solved through dialogue, not confrontation.

March 2: U.S., international NGO workers out of Egypt,The travel ban on international aid workers by the Egyptian government was lifted, allowingAmerican, Norwegian, German, Serbian and Palestinian activists to leave the country afterposting bail. Egyptian authorities called their work part of a pattern of international interferencethat stroked continued protests against the current military-led government.

EconomistMarch 10: A Chinese beachhead? New investors on Americas doorstepIncreasing levels of Chinese investment in the Caribbean have caused speculation that China isattempting to carve out its own area of influence in the United States own backyard. However,despite increasing economic ties with China, Caribbean nations still take their political cues from

the U.S.

Foreign AffairsMarch 6: Money or Die: A Watershed Moment for Global Public HealthFollowing a decade of steady growth in global health expenditures, the current economic crisisthreatens to derail vital efforts to combat many of the worlds most deadly diseases. Budgetaryissues have already caused some nations to cut their funding for such programs, and others lookpressured to do the same.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17308913http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/08/world/africa/teenage-girls-pregnancy-sierra-leone/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/06/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=imi_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/06/world/asia/china-foreign-minister/index.html?hpt=ias_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/01/world/meast/egypt-ngos/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://www.economist.com/node/21549971http://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137312/laurie-garrett/money-or-die?page=showhttp://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/137312/laurie-garrett/money-or-die?page=showhttp://www.economist.com/node/21549971http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/01/world/meast/egypt-ngos/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/06/world/asia/china-foreign-minister/index.html?hpt=ias_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/06/world/meast/syria-unrest/index.html?hpt=imi_c2http://edition.cnn.com/2012/03/08/world/africa/teenage-girls-pregnancy-sierra-leone/index.html?hpt=iaf_c2http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-17308913


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Disclaimer: Articles linked in the Update are intended to provide a dashboard view of newsworthyand topical issues from popular news outlets that will be of interest to readers. The articles are aninformation sharing vehicle rather than an advocacy tool. They are in no way representative of the

views of InterAction or the U.S. NGO community as a whole.

public policy update 3-9-2012

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