Wikipedia

User:UmmmK/sandbox

History

edit

Early Operations

edit

International Relief and Development (IRD) was founded in 1998 by Arthur B. Keys Jr.[1] The non-profit organization implemented development and stabilization programs funded primarily by the U.S. government. Early projects included a U.S. State Department-funded stabilization program in the Republic of Georgia and a USAID-funded civic engagement and local governance project in Serbia (2001-2006). [1][2]

In 2017, a study of three USAID-funded programs in Serbia, including IRD’s Community Development through Democratic Action program, assessed long term outcomes. The study reported mixed results and identified areas for improvement, including monitoring and evaluation, and the need for coordinated engagement of public, private, and civil sector actors.[2]

By 2007, IRD’s annual revenue was $296.8M. USAID’s obligations to IRD in that fiscal year totaled $507.4M, including multi-year awards.[3]

Iraq

edit

In 2003, IRD was one of five organizations USAID selected to support Iraq’s reconstruction through community-based infrastructure and services.[4] USAID extended the program and increased the initial $7M award to $74M in obligated funding.[5]: 1  A USAID Office of the Inspector General (OIG) program audit reported IRD partially achieved its goals but stated work "could have been more effective."[5]: 1–2  Challenges cited by the audit included the volatile security situation; community projects not aligning with priorities; USAID/Iraq’s accelerated timeline for spending; and IRD overstating the number of direct beneficiaries.[5]: 2–3 

In 2006, IRD was awarded the USAID/Iraq-funded Community Stabilization Program, a three-year program with a $544M funding ceiling.[6]: 1  The program included community-driven public works and income generation activities. A 2008 OIG audit stated it could not determine if the program was achieving its intended results because of data inadequacies.[6]: 1  The audit identified potential fraud by IRD contractors in one Baghdad district and recommended suspending programming in the identified district; conducting a program review; having U.S. military intelligence vet contractors; and improving USAID's fraud reporting procedures.[6]: 1-2  In response to the audit, USAID acknowledged documentation challenges, but stated that available evidence indicated the program was successful.[6]: 2  In July 2009, USAID suspended the program citing contractor and payment irregularities.[7]

Afghanistan

edit

The U.S. Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) reported that from 2004 to 2014, IRD received 8% of USAID's obligated funding for Afghanistan.[8]

In 2009, USAID awarded IRD a $300M grant for a one-year program to improve agricultural productivity and increase employment opportunities in Afghanistan’s Kandahar and Helmand provinces.[9] Reviews identified challenges including distortion of local markets; concerns from Afghan officials; and reports of farmers selling extra seeds.[9] According to The Washington Post, when USAID sought to revise the program, U.S. military leaders advocated for its continuation, viewing the short-term employment it provided as beneficial to counterinsurgency operations.[9] IRD was reportedly selected for a follow-on program, but USAID cancelled the project.[9]

In June 2020, the organization was added to a civil lawsuit alleging contractors in Afghanistan paid protection money to the Taliban.[10] The suit, filed by families of American troops and contractors killed or wounded in Afghanistan between 2009 and 2017, alleges funds went to the Taliban, whose operations resulted in casualties.[11]

Investigations (2014-2015)

edit

In 2014, a series of Washington Post articles investigated IRD’s work and the organization’s financial management. Between 2007 and 2014, the Post reported IRD received $2.4B in USAID funding, 82% of which was for work conducted in Iraq and Afghanistan.[1] Tax records indicated that 38 IRD employees received more than $3.4M in bonuses, with Keys, the CEO, and his wife, who held a leadership role at IRD, earning more than $4.4M in salary and bonuses.[1] In addition to bonuses, records showed IRD executives used the organization’s overhead account to fund more than $1.1M in parties, retreats, and gifts for staff.[12]

The Washington Post reported that some employees leaving IRD were directed to sign non-disclosure agreements that could bar them from speaking to government auditors, potentially violating whistleblower protections.[13]

Keys left IRD in July 2014, replaced by Roger Ervin. Ervin previously worked at the U.S. State Department, the African Development Bank, and in the private sector.[14]

Suspension

edit

Citing The Washington Post investigations, in January 2015, the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee requested a review of USAID contracting and oversight practices.[15] On January 26, 2015, USAID suspended IRD from future contracting, citing "serious misconduct" in field performance, management, and internal controls.[16] In February 2015, IRD removed top managers and dismissed members of the organization’s Board of Directors.[17]

Lawsuit Against USAID

edit

In June 2015, IRD filed suit against USAID, alleging the suspension violated the Administrative Procedures Act and that USAID was "making an example" of IRD because the agency itself was under scrutiny.[18] USAID lifted the suspension weeks later, acknowledging that its contract suspension officer also led the agency’s acquisition office, a potential conflict of interest and violation of federal law.[19]

Suspension Ruled Null and Void

edit

On August 3, 2015, a federal judge declared USAID’s suspension of IRD null and void, ruling it illegal.[19] The judge ordered all mention of the suspension struck from the administrative record, including the U.S. federal government’s System for Award Management (SAM).[20]

USAID issued a statement saying "IRD should be considered as never having been suspended, and USAID retracts any statements asserting that the suspension of IRD was appropriate and validly imposed."[21]

Blumont Established

edit

In January 2016, IRD announced the establishment of Blumont Inc. The announcement outlined a new structure and leadership, with CEO Roger Ervin saying Blumont would build on IRD’s program implementation work.[22]  The organizations initially operated in parallel as IRD completed previously awarded work.[23] According to USASpending.gov, IRD last received an award in 2015.[24]

Operations

edit

Jonathan Nash was named President and CEO of Blumont in 2020. He previously worked for the Millennium Challenge Corporation.[25] The organization implements humanitarian assistance, development, and stabilization projects funded by the U.S. government and other governments and international groups.

Humanitarian Assistance and Stabilization

edit

In 2024, Blumont was one of 11 organizations awarded the USAID Support Which Implements Fast Transition 6 (SWIFT 6) indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract.[26] The 10-year framework has a ceiling of $5B, with funds obligated through task orders for defined work.

Since 2016, Blumont has implemented camp management and humanitarian assistance programs in displacement camps in Syria, including the Al-Hol Camp.[27] Reported activities include coordination of services, distribution of assistance, water, sanitation and basic infrastructure.[28]

In January 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued a stop-work order affecting operations at Al-Hol as part of a broader foreign aid funding pause.[29] USAID-funded food distribution across multiple camps was also stopped.[30] Several days later, Blumont received humanitarian waivers to resume services.[31]

Livelihoods and Engagement

edit

At Za’atari Refugee Camp in Jordan, the TIGER program built life skills and community service opportunities for teenagers.[32] The Jordan Livelihoods Project worked with local community-based organizations to provide women running home-based and small businesses with training and tools. In 2019, Blumont registered the first Syrian refugee-owned home-based business in Jordan.[33]

Infrastructure

edit

Blumont worked with the Jordan Valley Authority and the German Agency for International Cooperation to rehabilitate the King Talal Dam, one of the largest in Jordan.[34]

Post-Conflict Recovery

edit

Blumont works with the Colombian government to implement community rehabilitation strategies, improve municipal participation, and support emotional recovery.[35] [36] A 2025 study published in the Global Mental Health Journal evaluating the impact of Blumont’s rental support initiatives for displaced households reported improvements in self-reliance and well-being among participants.[37]

  1. 1 2 3 4 Higham, Scott; Schulberg, Jessica; Rich, Steven (May 4, 2014). "Doing well by doing good: The high price of working in war zones". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 25, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. 1 2 Golemec-Powell, Anamaria; Vukovic, Danilo; Razic Ilic, Dejana; Hrelja Hasecic, Dzenita; Newkirk, James Allen; Babovic, Marija (July 2017). "The role of community development and citizen engagement activities in strengthening civic engagement and government responsiveness in Serbia". USAID. pp. 7–10. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  3. ↑ Dilanian, Ken (September 1, 2009). "Review: High salaries for aid group CEOs". USA Today. Archived from the original on October 2, 2012. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  4. ↑ Bank, David (May 29, 2003). "Three U.S. humanitarian groups spurn reconstruction effort in Iraq". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on October 17, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  5. 1 2 3 Audit of USAID/Iraq's Community Action Program activities implemented by International Relief and Development (PDF) (Report). USAID Office of Inspector General. November 15, 2011. pp. 1–3. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Audit of USAID/Iraq's Community Stabilization Program (PDF) (Report). USAID Office of Inspector General. March 18, 2008. pp. 1–2.
  7. ↑ Dilanian, Ken (July 26, 2009). "Reviews prompt suspension of Iraqi jobs program". USA Today. Archived from the original on July 27, 2009. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  8. ↑ Igoe, Michael (January 28, 2014). "SIGAR looks into 10 years of US aid to Afghanistan". Devex. Archived from the original on September 8, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Chandrasekaran, Rajiv (April 28, 2011). "U.S. military dismayed by delays in 3 key development projects in Afghanistan". The Washington Post. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  10. ↑ Donati, Jessica (June 8, 2020). "Lawsuit accusing contractors of paying protection money to Taliban is expanded". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on June 7, 2020. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  11. ↑ Gordon, Michael; Donati, Jessica (December 27, 2019). "U.S., international contractors sued for allegedly paying protection money to Taliban". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on December 28, 2019. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  12. ↑ Higham, Scott (March 13, 2015). "Nonprofit contractor sent government $1.1 million bill for parties and retreats". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 15, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  13. ↑ Higham, Scott; Rich, Steven (May 6, 2014). "Auditors examining nonprofit organization's confidentiality agreements, 'revolving door'". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 7, 2014. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  14. ↑ Santamaria, Carlos (October 22, 2014). "IRD appoints new leader". Devex. Archived from the original on July 24, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  15. ↑ "Corker seeks review of USAID contracting practices after prominent firms implicated in major fraud and corruption charges" (Press release). U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. January 16, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  16. ↑ Nixon, Ron (January 26, 2015). "U.S. aid agency suspends group from new contracts". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 28, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  17. ↑ Higham, Scott (February 20, 2015). "Longtime USAID contractor embroiled in scandal fires top managers, others". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on March 10, 2018. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  18. ↑ Anders, Molly (June 19, 2015). "Does IRD have a case against USAID?". Devex. Archived from the original on June 27, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  19. 1 2 Hsu, Spencer (August 3, 2015). "Judge: USAID must undo suspension of largest war-zone contractor, IRD". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 26, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  20. ↑ Anders, Molly (August 5, 2015). "USAID ordered to undo illegal IRD suspension". Devex. Archived from the original on August 21, 2015. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  21. ↑ "Statement on International Relief and Development" (Press release). USAID Press Office. August 6, 2015. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025.
  22. ↑ "IRD announces establishment of Blumont, an innovative platform for high-impact aid delivery" (PDF) (Press release). International Relief and Development. January 27, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  23. ↑ Anders, Molly (January 22, 2016). "Blumont: The new face of IRD". Devex. Archived from the original on January 24, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  24. ↑ "International Relief and Development". USASpending.gov. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  25. ↑ "Jonathan Nash". Blumont.org. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  26. ↑ Wilkers, Ross (September 4, 2024). "USAID chooses 11 for $5B global stability support recompete". Washington Technology. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  27. ↑ Solomon, Erika; Hubbard, Ben; Jakes, Lara (February 7, 2025). "Despite waivers, U.S. funding freeze sows doubt about camp holding ISIS members". The New York Times. Archived from the original on February 7, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  28. ↑ Mroue, Bassem (February 3, 2025). "Trump's aid freeze shocks a Syria camp holding families linked to the Islamic State group". Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 3, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  29. ↑ Solomon, Erika; Jakes, Lara; Hubbard, Ben (January 30, 2025). "U.S. funding freeze threatens security at ISIS camps in Syria". The New York Times. Archived from the original on January 30, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  30. ↑ "US aid cuts risk riots, breakouts at Islamic State-linked camps in Syria". Reuters. February 14, 2025. Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  31. ↑ Brown, Larisa; Ensor, Josie (January 28, 2025). "Fears grow that ISIS fighters could escape after US aid freeze". The Times (UK). Retrieved May 8, 2026.
  32. ↑ "3 refugees from Za'atari camp receive scholarships from Harvard Student Agencies Academies". The Jordan Times. April 29, 2021. Retrieved May 8, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  33. ↑ Ghaith, Batool (June 15, 2022). "UNHCR, Blumont join hands to foster sustainable local economic development". The Jordan Times. Retrieved May 8, 2026.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  34. ↑ "Water conservation project underway for King Talal Dam". The Jordan Times. April 20, 2022. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  35. ↑ Cuello, Óscar (September 10, 2023). "Desplazados que lleguen a Sincelejo recibirán asistencia humanitaria de Blumont". El Herlado (Colombia). Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  36. ↑ Rumbo, Aj (February 17, 2020). "Blumont reafirma compromiso de cooperación con la Unidad en 2020". Mi Diario. Retrieved May 11, 2026.
  37. ↑ Stark, Lindsay; Franco, Juan Pablo; Roa, Arturo Harker; Mosha, Neema; Barch, Deanna; Meerdink, Ned; Seff, Ilana (December 4, 2025). "Beyond shelter: Exploring the potential impacts of rental assistance on self-reliance and well-being for Venezuelan migrants in Colombia". Global Mental Health (Camb). 13: 1–7 – via National Library of Medicine.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:UmmmK/sandbox&oldid=1359726092"