Iraq Commander's Emergency Response Program Generally Managed Well, but Project Documentation and Oversight Can Be Improved

Abstract : In April 2008, the Multi-National Force-Iraq (MNF-I) and the Government of Iraq (GOI) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) initiating the Iraq Commander's Emergency Response Program (I-CERP). Under the MOU, MNF-I is to complete urgent reconstruction projects to aid Iraqi citizens in the 15 provinces not under the Kurdish Regional Government using GOI funds and existing coalition spending mechanisms managed by the Multi-National Corps-Iraq (MNC-I). Initially, GOI indicated it would provide $300 million for I-CERP-related projects, but decreased that amount by 10% ($30 million)1 at the time it signed the MOU. In May 2009, the Special Inspector General for Iraq Reconstruction (SIGIR) and Iraq's Board of Supreme Audit (BSA), agreed to conduct a joint review of I-CERP. On July 16, 2009, BSA issued a report titled, "Review and Audit of the Projects Executed by the U.S. [Corps] of Engineers." See Appendix C for a copy of this report. The I-CERP MOU between MNF-I and Iraq?s Supreme Reconstruction Council of the Secretariat of the Council of Ministries defines the purpose of the program and the responsibilities of both MNF-I and GOI. It requires that MNF-I expend I-CERP funds using the procedures, project purchasing officers,2 paying agents,3 and accountability mechanisms already established for the Commander's Emergency Response Program (CERP). In addition, the MOU requires that I-CERP funds be distributed among the provinces commensurate with the population of each province. Finally, the MOU requires that MNF-I report the I-CERP program status to GOI on a quarterly basis and train Iraqi security forces to enable them to manage I-CERP.