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The Office of Inspector General (OIG) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) found that the agency's oversight of public international organizations (PIOs) is insufficient, putting U.S. foreign assistance programs at risk. The OIG audit identified weaknesses in USAID's risk management and oversight of PIO awards, including the lack of comprehensive risk identification, assessment, and management. The audit report contains six recommendations to improve USAID's processes for risk management and strengthen oversight of PIO awards. USAID provided $2.6 billion to PIOs between 2012 and 2018, primarily for humanitarian assistance in areas such as Syria and Iraq, where there are significant access, security, and oversight challenges. The OIG found that USAID relied on PIOs to manage risks without adequately understanding their oversight capabilities and major risks, and that award documentation lacked rigor. The report concludes that USAID's policies on managing PIO awards did not align with internal control standards, and that the agency has not systematically leveraged available information to make informed decisions when working with PIOs.