Giving Compass' Take: 

• Merging USAID's disaster offices is a move with potential for positive and negative change. ASking the right questions can help to keep the process moving in the right direction. 

• How can the public participate in ensuring the success of the merger? What role can philanthropy play in the merger and the post-merger humanitarian sector? 

• Learn about existing inefficiencies in United States' food ais program. 

The Trump Administration’s recently released fiscal year 19 budget proposal outlines a plan to merge the United States Agency for International Development’s two humanitarian response offices — the Office of Food for Peace and the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance — into a new standalone humanitarian assistance bureau.

Here are the five questions — and considerations — these stakeholders should be thinking about.

1. What is the purpose and vision behind this merger? 

The rationale for a merger is compelling in terms of the potential for enhanced program impact. If this merger is simply a fig leaf for a debilitating budget cut, then it should not go forward.

2. What level of authority will the new entity have? 

We believe strongly that a merger will only work if it is also an elevation: The new structure should be a full bureau within USAID, not an office.

3. How will a merger preserve the distinctive technical capacities of each office? 

USAID is unique amongst donors in having deep, dedicated technical and programmatic expertise in food aid. It will be important that this capability not be lost amidst a merger.

4. How will finance and procurement processes and personnel systems be reconciled?

Over their decades-long histories, both offices have evolved different systems for grant making, budget planning, administration, and personnel.

5. What role will the new bureau have in resilience programs?

Both OFDA and FFP manage substantial nonemergency programs that reduce the long-term need for humanitarian aid.

Read the full article on merging USAID's disaster offices by Dina Esposito, Jeremy Konyndyk at Devex International Development