Review of the Afghanistan Program

Acronyms
Acknowledgements
Executive Summary
Introduction
Background
Review Objectives, Approach and Limitations
Findings and Observations
Overall Assessment and Conclusions
Implementation Challenges, Lessons & Recommendations

Annexes

1. Summary of Afghanistan's Risks, Constraints & Challenges
2. CIDA's disbursements to Afghanistan
3. Benchmarking of human and other support services resources available to deliver Afghanistan, Iraq and Haiti Programs
4. Persons interviewed
5. Documents consulted
6. List of Criteria used for Financial Accountability
7. List of Donor Countries and Organizations for Afghanistan
8. Management Response to the Review of the Afghanistan Program

Acronyms

ACRP

Afghanistan Community Renewal Program

ADB

Asian Development Bank

AEC

Agency Evaluation Committee

ANBP

Afghanistan New Beginnings Program

ANDS

Afghanistan National Development Strategy

ARTF

Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund

ASP

Afghanistan Stabilization Program

BRAC

Bangladesh Rural Advancement Committee

CBS

Canadian Based Staff

CIDA

Canadian International Development Agency

CDCs

Community Development Councils

CDR

Combined Delivery Report

CGAP

Consultative Group for Assistance to the Poorest

CNTF

Counter Narcotics Trust Fund

CSC

Corrections Services Canada

3D

Defence, Diplomacy, Development

DAC

Development Assistance Committee

DDAs

District Development Assemblies

DDR

Demobilization, Disarmament and Reintegration

DFAIT

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

DfID

Department for International Development (UK)

DIAG

Disbandment of Illegal Armed Groups

DND

Department of National Defence

FPs

Facilitating Partners

FY

Fiscal Year

GoA

Government of Afghanistan

HCR

Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

HR

Human Resources

HQ

Headquarters

IALP

Integrated Alternative Livelihoods Project (Kandahar)

IDLO

International Development Law Organization (Rome)

IDP

Internally Displaced Persons

IEC

Independent Electoral Commission

IFI

International Financial Institutions

IMF

International Monetary Fund

IMPACS

Institute for Media Policy and Civil Society

JEMB

Joint Electoral Management Body

JEMBS

Joint Electoral Management Body Secretariat

LDCs

Least Developed Countries

LES

Local Engaged Staff (CIDA)

LFA

Logical Framework Analysis

LOTFA

Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan

MA

Monitoring Agent

MAPA

United Nations Mine Action Program for Afghanistan

MCN

Ministry of Counter Narcotics (GoA)

MEW

Ministry of Energy and Water

MFIs

Micro Finance Institutions

MISFA

Microfinance Investment Support Facility for Afghanistan

MoF

Ministry of Finance (GoA)

MoJ

Ministry of Justice (GoA)

MoI

Ministry of the Interior (GoA)

MOWA

Ministry of Women's Affairs

MRE

Mine Risk Education

MRRD

Ministry for Rural Rehabilitation and Development (GoA)

NABDP

National Area-Based Development Program

NGO

Non-governmental Organization

NPSO

National Program Support Office

NSP

National Solidarity Program

OC

Oversight Consultant

ODA

Official Development Assistance

PAD

Project Approval Document

PKMB

Performance and Knowledge Management Branch (CIDA)

PRC

Program Review Committee (CIDA)

PRSP

Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper

PRT

Provincial Reconstruction Team

PSU

Program Support Unit (CIDA)

PWGSC

Public Works and Government Services Canada

R&D

Rights and Democracy

RAU

Result and Accountability Unit (CIDA)

RBM

Results-based management

RCMP

Royal Canadian Mounted Police

RRMAF

Results and Risk Management and Accountability Framework

SEAL

Support to the Establishment of the Afghanistan Parliament

SRLA

Strengthening the Rule of Law in Afghanistan

TBS

Treasury Board Secretariat

UN

United Nations

UNAMA

United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan

UNDP

United Nations Development Program

UNMACA

United Nations Mine Action Center for Afghanistan

UNMAS

United Nations Mine Action Service

UNODC

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime

WB

World Bank

WRAF

Women's Rights Fund Afghanistan

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Acknowledgements

The Evaluation Division would like to express its gratitude to the staff of the Afghanistan Program, both existing and former, for their exemplary collaboration throughout the Review process. Amidst their hectic schedule, they provided the Review team with the necessary project and program documentation, took the time to answer our questions, and helped to organize meetings with key stakeholders.

A special thanks to Harley Johnson and Dale Posgate, external independent Monitors for the CIDA Afghanistan Program, who willingly shared their in-depth program knowledge with the Review Team and who discussed many pertinent issues related to the Afghanistan Program with us. Their reports were an invaluable source of information.

This Review drew heavily on a range of documentation from different sources. Our appreciation also goes out to the various organizations, partners and individuals who authored these documents and shared them with us. We have tried to avoid any misrepresentation of information, views or judgements contained therein and so apologize beforehand should there be any such unintentional instances.

Finally, we would like to thank and acknowledge the support of the evaluation team members: Pierre Thivierge of Spearhead Management Canada Limited, a Management Accountant, with 25 years experience in the area of financial management and knowledge of the financial systems of CIDA and its international partner organizations; Robert Mitchell, a Consultant with extensive evaluation experience related to CIDA Programs in the South Asia region; and Larry Thériault, the Evaluation Manager responsible for the Review, who has 25 years experience in management and review of CIDA programs, including field operation experience with Program Support Units. Their professionalism and resourcefulness were key in getting the Review done within a very tight timeframe.

Goberdhan Singh
Director, Evaluation Division

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