The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is submitting this report pursuant to the requirements set forth in the TI account heading of Division K of Public Law 115-141, the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2018. The provision directs USAID to “submit a report to the Committees on Appropriations at least five days prior to beginning a new program of assistance” with TI funds.

Accordingly, USAID is submitting this report in anticipation that USAID/OTI will begin a new assistance program in the Republic of Burkina Faso with TI funds. The program will initially work with local communities to bolster their resilience against violent extremist organizations (VEOs) and threats to Burkina Faso from other regional conflicts, especially on the border with the Republic of Mali. Combined with local government support to addressing these threats, USAID/OTI will work to encourage open dialogue with communities and civilian and security sectors to push forward with the Burkinabè Government's plan to address the increased VEO activity and counter VEO threats.