Operation Freedom's Sentinel Lead Inspector General Quarterly Report to Congress January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2021

Overseas Contingency Operations

Under the Lead Inspector General framework, the Inspectors General for the Department of Defense, Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development conduct oversight of and report on the overseas contingency operation "Operation Freedom's Sentinel."

OFS has two complementary missions: the U.S. counterterrorism mission against al Qaeda, the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria-Khorasan (ISIS-K), and their affiliates in Afghanistan; and U.S. military participation in the NATO-led Resolute Support mission to develop the capacity of the Afghan security ministries and to train, advise, and assist the Afghan security forces.

This quarterly report describes the activities of the U.S. Government in support of OFS, as well as the work of the Department of Defense, the Department of State, and the U.S. Agency for International Development to promote the U.S. Government's policy goals in Afghanistan during the quarter.

USAID reported that it continued to support the WHO's Disease Early Warning System, which has been used to provide COVID-19 monitoring and surveillance support. According to USAID, COVAX plans to vaccinate 20 percent of the high-risk population in Afghanistan by the end of 2021; however, funding shortages prevent higher vaccination rates at this time. USAID reported several humanitarian access impediments during the quarter, including bureaucratic impediments, movement restrictions, threats of violence against staff, and armed conflict. Lower casual employment wages along with higher food prices reduced household purchasing power by 35 percent during the quarter. 

Operation Freedom's Sentinel Lead Inspector General Report in Brief, January 1, 2021- March 31, 2021

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