The objective of this limited scope follow-up review was to determine if the agreed upon corrective actions taken in response to four findings from the Final Report on the Program Evaluation of Peace Corps/Namibia issued in March 2013 were fully implemented and had the intended effects. We found that, overall, the post had improved with respect to three of the four areas selected for review, particularly in iterating on feedback and agency guidance where technical training was concerned. This follow-up included four recommendations, all with which the post concurred.

The objective of this limited scope follow up review was to determine if the agreed upon corrective actions taken in response to three findings from the Final Report on the Program Evaluation of Peace Corps/Nepal (IG-15-05-E) were fully implemented and had the intended effects. We found that, overall, Peace Corps/Nepal had improved regarding all three findings selected for review. We found 2 areas of concern related to the post's site selection criteria and whereabouts tracking. This report included 2 recommendations for management's consideration.

This evaluation had two objectives: (1) to describe the range of homestay models that Peace Corps posts were implementing and better understand their advantages and challenges; and (2) to assess the impact of homestay requirements on Volunteer safety, language acquisition, integration, and health. We found that the majority (63 percent) of Peace Corps posts implemented homestay requirements during service, though the number of months required varied. Evidence from this analysis does not support the assumption that better Volunteer outcomes will be achieved in all contexts. Given the costs of administering and potential risk associated with homestay programs, posts that transition to or increase homestay requirements should rigorously monitor safety and language outcomes.

This evaluation assessed the effectiveness and quality of the post's programming and training, Volunteer support, and leadership functions. Overall, we found that the post faced several challenges related to training Volunteers for working in their primary assignments, identifying and orienting community stakeholders for hosting and working with Volunteers, preparing for emergencies, supporting Volunteers who reported harassment and mental health challenges, and handling sensitive Volunteer information. This report included 16 recommendations for management's consideration.

This evaluation focused on the appropriateness of programming, training, and evaluation; the adequacy of Volunteer support; and the effectiveness of post leadership and management. While there are many strengths of the post, this report contains 21 recommendations. We found that an insufficient staffing model for programming and training had contributed to findings in the areas of Volunteer training and site development. In addition, our report contains findings related to the Volunteer Advisory Council and the post's health program.

This evaluation found overall that the post was well-run and meeting its mission goals effectively and efficiently. We did not issue any findings in the areas of programming, training, Volunteer administrative support, and staffing. We identified two best practices related to site management. We issued six findings in the areas of site management, Volunteer safety and security support, Volunteer health support, and staff communication and collaboration with stakeholders. Management concurred with all six recommendations.

OIG conducted the audit of Peace Corps/eSwatini from July 23, 2018 to August 10, 2018. The post’s financial and administrative operations required improvement to comply with agency policies and applicable Federal laws and regulations. Our report made 30 recommendations to improve the administrative and financial operations of Peace Corps/eSwatini.

This semiannual report informs Congress of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General's work for October 1, 2018 through March 31, 2019.

Our report contains 27 recommendations directed to the post and headquarters. We recommend that the post store controlled substances according to policy and maintain an adequate medical inventory count. We also recommend that the post strengthen its controls over management of inventory and disposal of property, collection of overpayments, and issuance of bills of collection in a timely manner. In addition, we recommend that the post follow agency contracting policy, provide security certifications for all personal services contractors, and conduct and record Volunteer allowance surveys.

This report provides the results of our review of the circumstances surrounding the death of Peace Corps Volunteer Bernice Heiderman on January 9, 2018, in Comoros. Our review identified several vulnerabilities associated with the Peace Corps’ failure to provide an early diagnosis and prompt treatment for PCV Heiderman’s malaria. This report makes 7 recommendations to the Peace Corps to address the vulnerabilities we identified and make it more likely that medical officers will provide timely diagnosis and prompt, effective treatment for malaria so that future Volunteer deaths from the disease can be prevented.

This case study describes examples of high quality site development practices that result in placing Volunteers in environments conducive to successful service. OIG intends that the site development best practices identified in this report may serve as a resource for other Peace Corps posts.

This semiannual report informs Congress of the Peace Corps Office of Inspector General's work for April 1, 2018 through September 30, 2018.

This evaluation focused on the appropriateness of programming, training, and evaluation; the adequacy of Volunteer support; and the effectiveness of post leadership and management. This report contains 24 recommendations, which, if implemented, should strengthen post operations and correct the deficiencies detailed in the report.

The objective of this review was to perform an independent assessment of the Peace Corps’ information security program, including testing the effectiveness of security controls for a subset of systems as required, for FY 2018. Our results demonstrate that the Peace Corps lacks an effective information security program. We found problems relating to people, processes, and technology. Furthermore, OIG found weaknesses across all the FISMA reportable areas. To ensure the agency’s information, operations, and assets are protected, it is critical that the Peace Corps achieve full compliance with FISMA and other Federal laws and regulations that apply to managing its IT security infrastructure.