Management Assistance Report: The Department Would Benefit From a Formal, Systematic Methodology To Capture and Utilize Lessons Learned Following Post Evacuations

Date Issued

Friday, September 27, 2024

Submitting OIG

Department of State OIG

Other Participating OIGs

Department of State OIG

Agencies Reviewed/Investigated

Department of State

Components

Bureau of Diplomatic Security

Report Number

AUD-GEER-24-32

Report Type

Audit

Location

Kyiv
Ukraine

Kabul
Afghanistan

Number of Recommendations

Questioned Costs

Funds for Better Use

Report updated under NDAA 5274

External Link

Open Recommendations

This report has 3 open recommendations.

Recommendation Number	Significant Recommendation	Recommended Questioned Costs	Recommended Funds for Better Use
1	Yes	$0	$0
OIG recommends that the Office of Crisis Management and Strategy update the Foreign Affairs Handbook to clarify that a Lessons Learned Cable must be produced following every large-scale event, emergency, or crisis, including evacuations that result in a post (1) remaining in ordered departure status for an extended period of time, (2) suspending operations, or (3) closing permanently.
2	Yes	$0	$0
OIG recommends that the Bureau of Diplomatic Security develop and implement a requirement in the Foreign Affairs Manual to produce an After Action Review following every evacuation that results in a suspension of post operations.
3	Yes	$0	$0
OIG recommends that, following the implementation of Recommendations 1 and 2, the Under Secretary for Management, working in conjunction with the Executive Secretariat, develop and implement a process to (1) systematically review After Action Reviews developed in response to post evacuations and Lessons Learned Cables generated in compliance with 12 Foreign Affairs Handbook-1 H-235 and (2) make recommendations for action based on the results of these reviews, including identifying needed changes to Department policies, procedures, and guidance.