Abstract
The evaluation of the USAID Grant to WHO/AFRO for the period 2004 to 2009 was carried out in a participatory way jointly by USAID and WHO/AFRO team led by an independent expert. The evaluation report summarizes in the few pages here documents significant contributions to improvements in health status by African countries, WHO, and development partners. The USAID Grant has contributed to WHO/AFRO's effectiveness in strengthening the capacity of African countries in improving the health of their people. The progress made by WHO, African countries and partners during the last five years and the changing health priorities require a reassessment of needs and opportunities for the next USAID Grant to WHO. To consolidate achievements to date and accelerate efforts by African countries toward reaching the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), it will be critical for WHO/AFRO and USAID to coordinate efforts with other UN and health development partners. The coordination between WHO/AFRO and USAID has been good. However, the potential for realizing a greater mutual benefit has not yet been fully tapped. To do so requires additional effort by the Bureau for Africa at USAID and WHO/AFRO to facilitate linkages at country, regional, and central levels to promote joint activities that further the common agendas of the two organizations. Similarly, the staff at each level within WHO/AFRO should take full advantage of the technical and financial contributions of USAID and its implementing mechanisms to the development and implementation of health programs in African countries. (Author abstract, modified)