Thread by @Dave_Harden

1. Here is the @USGAO report: @USAID vetted PA creditors to ensure that the program assistance would not provide support to entities or individuals associated w terrorism & also conducted external assessments and financial audits of PA ministries of Health & Finance and Planning.

2. USAID documentation showed that, as required, officials checked the vetting status of each PA creditor within 12 months before USAID signed its debt relief grant agreements with the PA.

3. In addition, although USAID determined that it was not legally required to assess the PA Ministry of Health’s medical referral services and the Ministry of Finance and Planning’s petroleum procurement system, the agency commissioned external assessments of both ministries.

4. These assessments found some weaknesses in both
ministries’ systems; however, USAID mission officials stated that these
weaknesses did not affect USAID debt relief payments to the PA creditors.
Nevertheless, USAID took additional steps to mitigate the identified weaknesses.

5. For example, a USAID contractor worked with the Ministry of Health to update, revise, and approve guidelines for medical referrals.

6. In addition, USAID commissioned financial audits of the debt relief grant agreements between USAID and the PA for direct payments to PA creditors in fiscal year 2015 and 2016.

7. The audits did not identify any ineligible costs, reportable material weaknesses in internal control, or material instances of noncompliance with the
terms of the agreements. @DanielBShapiro @USAIDWBG @usembassyjlm @USCGJerusalem @USAIDMiddleEast