USDA. In response to our data collection instrument, the  agencies providing monetary assistance for global food security reported  directing at least $5 billion in fiscal year 2008 to programs and activities  that we define as addressing global food insecurity, with food aid  accounting for about half of this funding. However, the actual total level of  funding is likely greater. The estimate does not account  for all U.S. government funds targeting global hunger and food insecurity. The agencies did not provide us with comprehensive funding data because  they lack (1) a commonly accepted governmentwide operational definition  of global food security programs and activities as well as reporting  requirements to routinely capture data on all relevant funds, and (2) data  management systems to track and report food security funding  comprehensively and consistently. The Administration Is Developing a Governmentwide Global Food Security Strategy, but Efforts Are Vulnerable to Data Weaknesses and Risks Associated with the Host Country-Led Approach

Consistent with our 2008 recommendation, the current administration has  taken a number of steps toward developing a U.S. governmentwide strategy  for global food security, including improving interagency coordination at the  headquarters level in Washington, D.C.; finalizing the main elements of the  strategy; and identifying potential countries for assistance. The lack of comprehensive data  on current programs and funding levels may impair the success of the new  strategy because it deprives decision makers of information on all available  resources, actual costs, and a firm baseline against which to plan. The strategy is expected to be released shortly, according to senior U.S.  officials. 3. Furthermore, the GHFSI working team is developing an implementation  document and a results framework for this initiative under development. These include  (1) the weak capacity of host governments, which can limit their ability to  absorb increased donor funding and sustain these levels of assistance;  (2) a shortage of expertise in agriculture and food security at relevant U.S.  agencies that could constrain efforts to help strengthen host governments’  capacity as well as review host governments’ efforts and guide in-country  activities; and (3) difficulties in aligning donor assistance, including that of  the United States, with host governments’ own strategies. Recommendations for Executive Action

To enhance U.S. efforts to address global food insecurity, we recommend  that the Secretary of State take the following two actions:  1.  work with the existing NSC/IPC to develop an operational definition of  food security that is accepted by all U.S. agencies; establish a  methodology for consistently reporting comprehensive data across  agencies; and periodically inventory the food security-related  programs and associated funding for each of these agencies; and 2.  work in collaboration with the USAID Administrator, the Secretary of  Agriculture, the Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge  Corporation, the Secretary of the Treasury, and other agency heads, as  appropriate, to delineate measures to mitigate the risks associated  with the host country-led approach on the successful implementation  of the forthcoming governmentwide global food security strategy. Appendix I: Scope and Methodology

We examined (1) the types and funding levels of food security programs  and activities of relevant U.S. government agencies and (2) progress in  developing an integrated U.S. governmentwide strategy to address global  food insecurity, as well as potential vulnerabilities of that strategy. USAID  reported providing the broadest array of programs and activities and the  largest amount of funding. 3. 5. 7. 10. .S.
Why GAO Did This Study

Global hunger continues to worsen despite world leaders' 1996 pledge--reaffirmed in 2000 and 2009--to halve hunger by 2015. To reverse this trend, in 2009 major donor countries pledged $22 billion in a 3-year commitment to agriculture and food security in developing countries, of which $3.5 billion is the U.S. share. Through analysis of agency documents, interviews with agency officials and their development partners, and fieldwork in five recipient countries, GAO examined (1) the types and funding of food security programs and activities of relevant U.S. government agencies; and (2) progress in developing an integrated U.S. governmentwide strategy to address global food insecurity as well as potential vulnerabilities of that strategy.

What GAO Found

The U.S. government supports a wide variety of programs and activities for global food security, but lacks readily available comprehensive data on funding. In response to GAO's data collection instrument to 10 agencies, 7 agencies reported funding for global food security in fiscal year 2008 based on the working definition GAO developed for this purpose with agency input. USAID and USDA reported the broadest array of programs and activities, while USAID, the Millennium Challenge Corporation, Treasury, USDA, and State reported providing the highest levels of funding for food security. The 7 agencies together directed at least $5 billion in fiscal year 2008 to global food security, with food aid accounting for about half of that funding. However, the actual total level of funding is likely greater. GAO's estimate does not account for all U.S. government funds targeting global food insecurity because the agencies lack (1) a commonly accepted governmentwide operational definition of global food security programs and activities as well as reporting requirements to routinely capture data on all relevant funds; and (2) data management systems to track and report food security funding comprehensively and consistently. The administration is making progress toward finalizing a governmentwide global food security strategy--expected to be released shortly--but its efforts are vulnerable to data weaknesses and risks associated with the strategy's host country-led approach. The administration has established interagency coordination mechanisms at headquarters in Washington, D.C., and is finalizing an implementation document and a results framework. However, the lack of readily available comprehensive data on current programs and funding levels may deprive decision makers of information on available resources and a firm baseline against which to plan. Furthermore, the host country-led approach, although promising, is vulnerable to (1) the weak capacity of host governments, which can limit their ability to sustain donor-funded efforts; (2) a shortage of expertise in agriculture and food security at U.S. agencies that could constrain efforts to help strengthen host government capacity; and (3) policy differences between host governments and donors, including the United States, which may complicate efforts to align donor assistance with host government strategies.