IG Kathy Buller testified at a hearing before the Subcommittee on Government Operations which examined the importance of objective and impartial inspectors general, ways to strengthen their independence, and the tools they need to provide effective oversight of both their agencies and themselves.

This semiannual report informs Congress of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General's work from April 1 through September 30, 2020.

These challenges illustrate the most significant areas the Office of Inspector General (OIG) believes need improvement for the Peace Corps to effectively manage its resources and minimize the potential for fraud, waste, and abuse occurring in its operations. Addressing the issues related to these challenge areas will enable the agency to increase operational efficiencies and improve mission effectiveness.

The Fiscal Years 2021 to 2023 OIG Strategic Plan includes the long-range goals and objectives designed to enhance OIG oversight in support of the Peace Corps and its three goals.

The Office of Inspector General's annual plan outlines the work planned for the year ahead, including agency wide audits or evaluations, mandated reviews, and which posts may receive audits or evaluations.

Our report contains 13 recommendations directed to the post and headquarters. We recommend that the post improve controls related to Volunteer bank account closure, billing and collection, and imprest funds. Additionally, we recommend that headquarters strengthen internal controls related to the administration of financial-system user roles and issue medical guidelines to comply with host country laws.

Following the death of a Peace Corps/Ghana Volunteer, we conducted a review to assess the sufficiency of Volunteer training and Volunteer housing procedures to mitigate the risk of future accidents involving gas tanks used for cooking. Our report contains 4 recommendations to improve the agency's actions regarding gas cooking safety.

OIG conducted the audit of Peace Corps/Ghana from July 15, 2019 to August 2, 2019. Our overall objective in auditing overseas posts is to determine whether the financial and administrative operations are functioning effectively and in compliance with Peace Corps policies and Federal regulations. The post’s financial and administrative operations required improvement to comply with agency policies and applicable Federal laws and regulations. Our report contains 52 recommendations directed to both the post and headquarters. Our recommendations included strengthening controls over managing imprest funds, Volunteer payments, property accountability, grants management, security certifications, financial management system access, and bill of collections; ensuring that contracts are adequately executed, and purchases are adequately authorized.

Our report contains 13 recommendations directed to the post and headquarters. We recommend that the post improve controls related to Volunteer health information, billing and collection, and imprest fund. Additionally, we recommend that headquarters revise policies and procedures related to the distribution of medical supplies to Volunteers, as well as administration of financial-system user roles.

The Office of Inspector General conducted a program evaluation of Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean from December 2 through December 20, 2019. Our report contains 14 recommendations, which, if implemented, should strengthen post operations and correct the deficiencies detailed in the accompanying report.

This semiannual report informs Congress of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General's work for October 1, 2019, through March 31, 2020.