facts and figures

Trying to find accurate and consistent information on humanitarian assistance to Iraq is not an easy task. First, there are multiple agencies involved. Second, when an agency issues a statement it doesn't always agree with other official statements. Here is an example:

April 11, 2003: Washington -- The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced an initial $2 million, 12-month contract to Creative Associates International Inc. (CAII) to address immediate educational needs and promote participation of the Iraqi people in a sustainable, decentralized educational system. [mid-page of link]

April 17, 2003: WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today announced an initial $1 million, 12-month contract to Creative Associates International Inc. (CAII) to address immediate educational needs and promote participation of the Iraqi people in a sustainable, decentralized educational system.

The second press release says "revised" so bpost used the $1 million dollar figure in the list below. (The $1 million is also listed on Funding Summaries). But, and that's a very big but, for all we know, Creative Associates International Inc. (CAII) has been allocated an additional $1 million to the initial $2 million bringing the total to $3 million.

Bpost is not impressed with the slap dash accounting being provided. We would greatly prefer a line by line of when and how the money is being allocated including listing all of the agencies the aid is coming from and who it is going to. We suspect American taxpayers feel the same way. We will continue to do our best to list aid as we become aware of it.

And hey! USAID: just release a new press release so we can follow what you all are up to. We, the taxpayers, are the ones footing the bill.