Summary: GAO reviewed the Defense Department's (DOD) Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Program, which provides nonlethal assistance for humanitarian activities. Since 1985, when Congress first authorized such assistance, the program has grown rapidly. Under the program, DOD has provided foreign countries with excess medical supplies and clothing from its stocks, helped to rebuild or repair countries' infrastructures, delivered disaster assistance, and transported food and supplies from private donor groups to starving people abroad. GAO recommends that DOD (1) develop a cost-effective method for providing Congress with a more reasonable estimate of the costs incurred in providing humanitarian assistance; (2) issue an implementing directive for conducting humanitarian and civic assistance activities as required by the law, which would clarify DOD's authority to engage in humanitarian assistance and would set a dollar threshold for minimum assistance provided under title 10 legislation; (3) ensure that projects contribute to U.S. foreign policy objectives and have the full support of the host country involved; and (4) ensure that commands are evaluating the effectiveness of the projects.
