Introduction

Consistent with section 7019(e) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2020 (Div. G, P.L. 116-94) and Senate Report 116-126, the Department of State and USAID jointly submit this report on allegations of, and steps to prevent and respond to, sexual exploitation and abuse committed by implementing partners of foreign assistance programs supported by funds appropriated for the Department of State and USAID in fiscal years 2018 and 2019. The U.S. Department of State (State) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) are committed to preventing and protecting vulnerable populations from sexual misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment. Sexual misconduct by the staff of implementing partners (IPs) causes intolerable harm to survivors and the broader community, threatens the underlying mission, and undermines the credibility of the entire aid sector. This malignant behavior strikes at the very foundation of foreign assistance and runs counter to the core values of USAID and State.