2). In December 2002, the United States passed the Afghanistan Freedom  Support Act of 2002 and increased its assistance to Afghanistan. The United States accounted for 38 percent of  the $3.7 billion in nonsecurity-related international funding disbursed in  Afghanistan in fiscal years 2002–2003. U.S. Assistance Focused on Humanitarian and Quick- Impact Projects

The U.S. government obligated $1.4 billion for assistance to Afghanistan in  fiscal years 2002–2003, including $782 million for humanitarian and quick- impact projects and $647 million for strategic, longer-term reconstruction  projects. USAID obligated $942 million, of which it spent about $508 million by  September 2003. U.S. Humanitarian Assistance Helped Avert Famine; Longer- term Reconstruction Efforts Had Limited Results

In fiscal years 2002-2003, humanitarian and quick-impact assistance  benefited Afghanistan, but longer-term reconstruction efforts achieved  limited results. However, because of delayed funding, most major  contracts for reconstruction activities were not signed until summer 2003,  limiting the results achieved by the end of that fiscal year. Humanitarian Assistance Helped Vulnerable Populations and Averted Famine

In fiscal years 2002–2003, to help redress the complex humanitarian crisis  in Afghanistan, the U.S. government provided emergency assistance that  helped avert a famine, significantly reduce the suffering of the most  vulnerable Afghans, and assist the return of refugees. The Department of Defense’s quick-impact projects were similar in size and  scope to those implemented by USAID’s OTI. In addition, coordination officials lacked complete  and accurate financial data needed for effective program management. Comprehensive Financial Data Was Not Readily Available

The coordinator for U.S. assistance to Afghanistan, as well as others  responsible for the coordination of U.S. assistance, lacked complete and  accurate financial data in fiscal years 2002–2003. Afghanistan exhibits many of the characteristics  that other nations have faced in their efforts to transition from a  postconflict environment to a stable democracy. 20.) Accelerating Success Initiative Designed to Increase Funding for Reconstruction

The U.S. government announced in September 2003  a new initiative called  “Accelerating Success,” to increase funding and expedite the  reconstruction efforts, particularly regarding infrastructure,  democratization and human rights, and security. This  delay, as well as a lack of staff and equipment, further hindered U.S. efforts. To meet the requirements of the directive and provide Congress with a  comprehensive accounting of U.S. assistance to Afghanistan for fiscal years  2002–2003, we (1) analyzed U.S. obligations and expenditures; (2)  identified the results of assistance projects through September 30, 2003; (3)  evaluated U.S. and international assistance coordination mechanisms and  the U.S. assistance strategy; and (4) examined the major obstacles that  affected the achievement of U.S. policy goals and the reconstruction effort. Departments of State and Defense and USAID. Support Afghan government’s projects.
Why GAO Did This Study

In October 2001, in response to the Taliban regime's protection of al Qaeda terrorists who attacked the United States, coalition forces forcibly removed the regime from Afghanistan. In December 2002, Congress passed the Afghanistan Freedom Support Act authorizing assistance funds to help Afghanistan rebuild a stable, democratic society. The act directed GAO to monitor the implementation of U.S. humanitarian and development assistance. This report analyzes, for fiscal years 2002-2003, (1) U.S. obligations and expenditures in Afghanistan, (2) results of assistance projects, (3) the assistance coordination mechanisms and strategy, and (4) major obstacles that affected the achievement of U.S. goals.

What GAO Found

Of the $900 million that the U.S. government spent on nonsecurity-related assistance in Afghanistan in fiscal years 2002-2003, over 75 percent supported humanitarian efforts, including emergency food and shelter, and over 20 percent supported longer-term reconstruction. USAID, the Department of State, and the Department of Defense spent $508 million, $254 million, and $64 million, respectively, for humanitarian, quick-impact, and some longer-term projects. U.S. funding represented about 38 percent of the $3.7 billion the international community disbursed over the 2-year period. U.S. humanitarian and short-term assistance benefited Afghanistan, but longerterm reconstruction efforts achieved limited results by the end of fiscal year 2003 due to late funding. By providing food and shelter to returning refugees and other vulnerable populations, early U.S. assistance helped avert a humanitarian crisis. USAID's and Defense's quick-impact projects also helped rebuild smallscale infrastructure such as schools and bridges. USAID initiated several longerterm reconstruction activities, such as repairing the Kabul-Kandahar road and starting a democracy program. However, because of delays in funding most major assistance contracts were not signed until summer 2003, limiting the results in fiscal years 2002-2003. U.S. coordination mechanisms for Afghanistan assistance were generally effective, but international assistance was not well coordinated in fiscal years 2002-2003. In addition, the United States lacked a complete and integrated assistance strategy, which hampered the U.S. government's ability to focus available resources and hold itself accountable for measurable results. Further, U.S. officials responsible for coordinating efforts lacked complete financial data, which hindered their ability to oversee the assistance. In fiscal years 2002-2003, Afghanistan confronted many obstacles that other postconflict nations have faced, such as multiple competing parties. In addition, security deteriorated and opium production increased, thereby jeopardizing U.S. reconstruction efforts. Lack of staff, poor working conditions, and delayed reconstruction funding further impeded U.S. efforts. In September 2003, to expedite progress, the U.S. government announced the "Accelerating Success" initiative, providing $1.76 billion for reconstruction in 2004.