InterAction's Response to USAID's
Partner Vetting System (PVS) Proposal
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Media Inquiries:
Nasserie Carew, 202-667-8227 Other Inquiries:
Evan Elliott, 202-552-6544 |
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On July 17, there was an announcement in the Federal Register describing
USAID's intent to create a new Partner Vetting System (PVS) to support the
vetting of individuals, officers, or other officials of non-governmental
organizations that apply for USAID contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements.
How do InterAction Members incorporate opposition
to terrorism in their policies and practices?
InterAction's PVO Standards require members to obey the laws
of jurisdictions in which they work, including the United States. They
also require our members to oppose terrorism. We have published and circulated
to our members information about the executive order and federal
legislation and guidelines that prohibit support for terrorist organizations.
Members know they must exercise due diligence to see
that any funds they receive do not reach terrorists. Those that receive
funds from USAID certify in writing that they will take all reasonable
steps to ensure that they do not provide material support or resources
to those who commit, advocate, facilitate, or participate in terrorist
acts. The precise steps members take in their exercise of due diligence
vary from one organization to another and are influenced by local
circumstances. But the obligation to exercise due diligence is the same
for every member in every place.
What is InterAction's relationship with the
U.S. government?
More than half of our 162 members are currently implementing
USAID-funded programs around the globe, and InterAction members see themselves
as full partners in U.S. foreign assistance policy. InterAction is the
primary interlocutor between the U.S. relief and development community
and the U.S. Government, and has been so for nearly three decades. We
work closely with all of the relevant agencies of the U.S. Government,
including USAID, the Departments of State and Defense, MCC, and PEPFAR,
to ensure that U.S. foreign assistance policies are informed by the first-hand
perspectives of relief and development experts operating on the ground
in every country in the world. To this end, we also work closely with
the U.S. Congress, particularly those members of Congress on key committees
with oversight of U.S. foreign policy.
InterAction has a long history of partnering with USAID
on the issues of development funding, aid effectiveness, humanitarian
practice, and security. In recent years, InterAction has worked with USAID
to implement effective relief and development programs while protecting
American citizens from terrorist threats. Unfortunately, the process by
which this new Partner Vetting System was designed seems to ignore that
partnership, as well as the existing anti-terror certification policy
mentioned above, which was produced by negotiation between USAID and InterAction.
Why is InterAction objecting to the proposed Partner Vetting System?
There is no need for such a system in the absence of any evidence
that USAID funds are reaching terrorists through its implementing partners.
There is no legal requirement for such a system.
The civil rights of Americans protected by the Privacy
Act would be violated by the system, and they could be refused
employment on grounds that would not be revealed to them and they therefore
could not challenge.
Implementation of the system will jeopardize the lives of
Americans engaged as foreign aid workers abroad if they are put in
the position of collecting biographic information to be shared with U.S.
intelligence and security agencies.
Collecting the required data on all of their employees would
oblige our members to divert substantial amounts of money raised
from the public for the purpose of assisting those in need abroad.
Who does this proposed regulation affect and how?
The proposed Partner Vetting will affect every nonprofit organization
that applies for USAID funding including faith-based and secular organizations
working in every sector in every country of the world. This system will
negatively impact life-saving health and humanitarian programs, environmental
programs, and the kinds of civil society development programs that are
changing peoples’ lives for the better. USAID partner organizations
will have to vet every person on their boards of directors and every staff
member, including American citizens and foreign nationals. The proposed
vetting system would divert administrative and financial esources from
programs that save lives and help the world’s poor, compromise the
security of NGO staff working in the field, and violate the privacy rights
of U.S. humanitarian workers.
Have any USAID funds reached terrorists through
American NGOs?
There is no reason to believe they have. USAID's Inspector General
monitors USAID's programs in West Bank/Gaza, where the threat of diversion
is believed to be high, for signs that USAID funds may be reaching terrorists.
The Inspector General has not reported any diversion of USAID funds in
West Bank/Gaza or anywhere else. Neither has any other competent authority.
While the U.S. Congress has directed USAID to create a Partner Vetting System for West Bank/Gaza in appropriations bills dating back to 2003,
there is no evidence that lawmakers intended that this program be implemented
globally. In fact, a recent GAO report on the issue made no such recommendations.
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