USAID assists Pakistani organizations

By: Fahad Bin Ameer

ISLAMABAD, OCT 27: US Agency for International Development (USAID) on Wednesday launched five-year ‘Assessment and Strengthening’ program worth $45 million in Pakistan to strengthen the ability of local organizations to run US assistance programs.

According to the report, the USAID program would be implemented by three Pakistani organizations including Lahore University of Management Sciences LUMS, Rural Support Programmes Network RSPN and Associates in Development (Aid).

David Ostermeyer, chief financial officer for USAID said that the ‘Assessment and Strengthening Program’ would help Pakistani organizations to develop their administrative, financial and procurement management systems for handling U.S government funds.

“This program will enable us to work directly with numerous Pakistani organizations” said David Ostermeyer.”  He said “It will not only ensure most effective and efficient use of resources, but also cultivate a close longer term relationship between our two nations”

He said the program would assess capacity needs of local organizations, design and provide training courses in financial management, administration and procurement functions to incorporate these practices in the daily operations of local organizations.