DFID’s support to capital projects in Montserrat

Montserrat, one of the UK’s overseas territories, suffered devastating volcanic eruptions from 1995. This review assesses how the UK government manages its aid to Montserrat, with a particular focus on DFID’s capital investment projects.

Score: Amber/Red
  1. Status: Completed
  2. Published: 16 July 2013
  3. Type: Other
  4. Subject: Country focus, Trade and economic development
  5. Assessment: Amber/Red
  6. Location: Montserrat
  7. Lead commissioner: Diana Good

Read the inception report

Read the terms of reference

Our approach

This review examines the Department for International Development’s (DFID) overall package of support to Montserrat, including how it decides to meet the country’s ‘reasonable assistance needs’ cost-effectively and accelerate progress towards self-sufficiency. This includes financial support, capital projects and technical assistance.

We focus particularly on the examination of DFID’s policies and procedures for identifying, prioritising, delivering and evaluating capital development projects. An in-depth analysis of a sample of recently completed or current capital investment projects is undertaken.

We also evaluate how DFID identifies and prioritises Montserrat’s technical assistance needs in the context of limited human resource skills and capacities within the country and how such assistance is sourced, delivered, monitored and evaluated.

Review questions

  1. Objectives: What is the programme trying to achieve?
  2. Delivery: Is the delivery chain designed and managed so as to be fit for purpose?
  3. Impact: What is the impact on intended beneficiaries?
  4. Learning: What works best and what needs improvement?

Timeline

Review publication

Published 16 July 2013

Government response

Published 9 August 2013

ICAI follow-up

Published 18 June 2015