Changes are needed to deliver foreign aid more effectively
Ottawa, 3 November 2009—Frequent changes in priorities and policy direction, a lack of clear direction, and weak management practices have hampered CIDA’s ability to deliver foreign aid more effectively, says the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, in her Report tabled today in the House of Commons. The audit looked at CIDA’s efforts to implement its commitments made in the 2002 Policy Statement on Strengthening Aid Effectiveness.
The audit found that in the field, CIDA is working in collaboration with other donors to implement principles that the international community considers essential to more sustainable and self-reliant development, such as harmonizing aid with other donors and aligning it with the needs of recipient countries. The Report notes that donor partners and recipient countries said CIDA staff in the field are highly regarded and their efforts are appreciated. However, the complex and lengthy processes required to obtain corporate approval for project funding have long been criticized within and outside the Agency.
The audit also found that CIDA has failed to concentrate on fewer priorities, despite its commitment to narrow its focus in order to make a more meaningful contribution. Its aid remains highly dispersed across many sectors. It has also made limited progress in determining its strengths relative to those of other donors, as well as the expertise it needs to support its own priorities. In addition, CIDA’s main planning documents in the countries examined have expired, and the status of the new plans was unclear at the end of the audit—none had been approved or communicated within or outside the Agency.
“Donor partners, recipient governments, and program staff are unclear about the Agency’s direction and long-term commitment,” said Ms. Fraser. “The nature of international development calls for stable, long-term programming, and CIDA needs a comprehensive plan for going forward.”
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The chapter “Strengthening Aid Effectiveness” is available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada website.
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