What is the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)?
The term United States Agency for International Development (USAID) refers to an international development agency run by the United States government. The organization provides international development and humanitarian assistance in a number of areas to developing nations while promoting American interests, U.S. national security, and economic prosperity abroad. USAID was established in 1961 and works in more than 100 countries.
Key Takeaways
- The United States Agency for International Development is a U.S.-government-run international development agency.
- The agency works in more than 100 developing nations and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
- Its mission is to boost democratic values across the world and help nations become self-reliant while advancing America's interests abroad.
- USAID works in a number of different sectors, including food and agriculture, democracy and human rights, the economy, health, and humanitarian aid.
- The agency helps partner nations achieve their goals through small-enterprise loans, technical assistance, disaster relief, and training.
Understanding the United States Agency For International Development (USAID)
The United States Agency for International Development was developed in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy. He created the agency after signing an executive order to advance American interests abroad through development efforts and humanitarian aid. With the global economy still relatively fragile less than two decades after the end of World War II, it was essential for the U.S.'s own prosperity to promote growth in developing countries and to help nations maintain their independence and freedom.
USAID works in more than 100 developing countries spanning the globe in areas such as sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, and Eurasia. The agency, which has field offices in the areas noted above, is headquartered in Washington, D.C., with organizational units that are called bureaus. Those working in each unit are responsible for programs and activities in a specific country.
The agency's mission and objectives remain the same today. According to the website, USAID's mission is to boost democratic values across the world, helping nations become self-reliant as they progress in their own development. While promoting development and reducing poverty are among its aims, it also promotes democratic governance in recipient nations, and helps counteract the drivers of violence, instability, transnational crime, and other security threats.
The international agency works in a number of different sectors including:
- Food and agriculture
- Democracy and human rights
- Economy and trade
- Education
- Environmental issues
- Gender equality
- Health
- Humanitarian aid
- Water and sanitation
- Crises and conflict
Development assistance is not simply the act of giving aid, but of supporting development efforts so that recipient countries become self-reliant. Some examples of the type of assistance USAID provides in reaching these goals are small-enterprise loans, technical assistance, food and disaster relief, and training and scholarships.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is a taxpayer-funded agency, which means it must report to the American government.
Special Considerations
The agency reports directly to the United States Congress on certain important matters. This is done through regular reports that the agency submits. These reports are also available on the agency's website in order to remain transparent to the general public.
The budget for the United States Agency for International Development and the U.S. State Department is recommended by the American president for each fiscal year. The request for the 2022 fiscal year was $58.5 billion. This amount included $27.7 billion managed in part or in full by the agency itself. The request furthers the U.S.'s aid to help its partners pursue self-reliance and renew their economic growth. In addition, the budget helps the U.S. protect its interests abroad, among other things.
FAQs
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms.
Who is USAID funded by? ›
USAID's funding comes from Congress. USAID works with both Congress and the Executive Office to determine priorities. Across USAID, there are a variety of policies, strategies, and frameworks that outline how we work. These are available on USAID.gov.
What is the point of USAID? ›
USAID leads international development and humanitarian efforts to save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance and help people progress beyond assistance.
Is USAID a donor agency? ›
Bilateral and multilateral donors, like USAID and other providers of development assistance, share decades of development knowledge and expertise and provide billions of dollars to foster self-reliance in developing countries. The United States works with other partners to tackle the world's development challenges.
Who are the top recipients of USAID? ›
The top 10 recipients of USAID- managed funds in FY2022 were, in descending order of funding, Ukraine, Ethiopia, Yemen, South Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Syria, and Sudan.
Which websites are primarily used for USAID contract work? ›
SAM.gov (for contracts and consultant opportunities). Grants.gov (for grants and cooperative agreements). USAID Procurement Announcements (for ocean transportation and commodities/goods).
How does USAID make money? ›
As a U.S. Government agency, USAID receives its funding from Congress. We work with both Congress and the Executive Office of the President to determine budget priorities. The majority of our funds are awarded competitively through contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.
Who controls USAID? ›
As an official component of U.S. foreign policy, USAID operates subject to the guidance of the President, Secretary of State, and the National Security Council. USAID has missions in over 100 countries, primarily in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe.
Is USAID public or private? ›
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal government agency that receives overall policy guidance from the Secretary of State.
Where does USAID spend money? ›
To respond to the unprecedented global levels of humanitarian need, the Budget requests more than $10.5 billion in humanitarian assistance ($6.5 billion through USAID-administered accounts) to respond to an average of 75 crises annually in more than 65 countries, including Ukraine and Syria, new and emerging crises, ...
USAID efforts provide humanitarian assistance, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, advance economic opportunities, and help achieve progress beyond programs.
What are USAID benefits? ›
The OPM benefits covered in this chapter include health insurance, life insurance, unemployment compensation, death gratuity, medical and health program, and Social Security. and Benefits Branch (HCTM/POD/ESB) is responsible for administering the USAID benefits program.
Who runs USAID? ›
Samantha Power is the 19th Administrator of USAID, the world's largest bilateral development agency with a global staff of over 11,000 across more than 100 countries.
Is USAID part of the government? ›
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent federal agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. In 1961, Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act to administer long-range economic and humanitarian assistance to developing countries.
What is the new name for USAID? ›
Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) | U.S. Agency for International Development.
What is the role of UN agencies in development? ›
UN entities work on different issues and develop programmes across the world within the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), which exist in 131 countries. The UNCT includes all the UN entities working on sustainable development, emergency, recovery, and transition in programme countries.
What is the role of the international development organization? ›
While working primarily in developing nations, international development organizations put their focus on a variety of different economic and social issues and where they intersect in terms of education, malnutrition, poverty, human rights, healthcare and more.
What are the priorities of the USAID agency? ›
The Policy Framework establishes three overarching priorities to drive progress through and beyond our programs: first, to confront the greatest challenges of our time; second, to embrace new partnerships; and third, to invest in USAID's enduring effectiveness.
What are the objectives of USAID's development? ›
We work to build a freer, more equitable and more humane world by amplifying local voices, advancing sustainable progress, and tackling the world's toughest problems.
