Oversight of Overseas Contingency Operations

USAID OIG plays a key role in providing oversight of overseas contingency operations—multiagency operations in which the Department of Defense, Department of State, and USAID coordinate to provide services such as security, stabilization, and humanitarian assistance. Such operations include efforts against opposing military forces or responding to crises like the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

As required by section 8L of the Inspector General Act of 1978, as amended, the Inspectors General for the Department of Defense, Department of State, and USAID work together to develop and execute a joint strategic plan for comprehensive oversight of each contingency operation. We also report quarterly to Congress on every operation’s progress and corresponding oversight activities.