Source description last updated: 7 January 2022.

In brief: The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is a US federal government agency that administers civilian foreign aid, working to reduce poverty, build communities and advance democracy.

Coverage on ecoi.net:

Fact Sheets, including Complex Emergency Fact Sheets, Crisis Fact Sheets, Regional Crisis Fact Sheets and Regional Crisis Fact Sheets

Covered monthly on ecoi.net, for countries of priorities A, B and C.

Mission/Mandate/Objectives:

USAID is a “federal agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. With an official presence in 97 countries and programs in 26 others, the Agency accelerates human progress in developing countries by reducing poverty, advancing democracy, empowering women, building market economies, promoting security, responding to crises, and improving the quality of life through investments in health and education. An Administrator and two Deputy Administrators, appointed by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate, head USAID.” (USAID: Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report, November 2021, p. 3)

“President John. F. Kennedy created the United States Agency for International Development by executive order in 1961 to lead the US government’s international development and humanitarian efforts.” (USAID website: Who We Are, last updated 4 October 2019)

“Our objective is to support partners to become self-reliant and capable of leading their own development journeys. We make progress toward this by reducing the reach of conflict, preventing the spread of pandemic disease, and counteracting the drivers of violence, instability, transnational crime and other security threats.” (USAID website: Mission, Vision and Values, last updated 16 February 2018)

Funding:

“The Agency receives most of its funding from general U.S. government funds administered by the Treasury and appropriated by Congress for use by USAID. In addition, USAID receives budget authority as the parent of an appropriation received from State, the U.S. Forest Service (an Agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture), and a one-time allocation from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in FY 2021.” (USAID: Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report, November 2021, p. 39)

In FY 2021, USAID’s Total Budgetary Resources was $ 40.7 billion. ((USAID: Fiscal Year 2021 Agency Report, November 2021, p. 39)

Scope of reporting:

Geographic focus: Asia, Europe and Eurasia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East (USAID-Website: Where we work)

Thematic focus: Agriculture and Food Security; Anti-Corruption; Democracy, Human Rights and Governance; Economic Growth and Trade; Education; Environment, Energy and Infrastructure; Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment; Global Health; Humanitarian Assistance; Innovation, Technology, and Research; Nutrition; and Water and Sanitation (USAID website: What We Do, last updated 17 December 2021)

Methodology:

As far as USAID’s reporting on the situation on the ground is concerned, USAID Factsheets draw on reports from other sources including international media, UN agencies and other relief actors. In most cases, references to sources are generic with no explicit mentioning of the specific report (see, for example, USAID: Syria Complex Emergency - Fact Sheet #9, Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, 30 September 2019, pp. 2-3 and USAID: Afghanistan Complex Emergency Fact Sheet #4 - 09-30-2019, 30 September 2019, pp. 2-3).

Language of publication

English

Further reading / links:

Igoe, M.: USAID missions told to comply with Trump's 'foreign assistance realignment', 28. November 2019 (published on Devex)
https://www.devex.com/news/usaid-missions-told-to-comply-with-trump-s-foreign-assistance-realignment-96120

 

All links accessed 7 January 2022.

Methodological note:

ecoi.net's source descriptions contain background information on an organisation’s mission & objective, funding and reporting methodology, as well as on how we cover the source. The descriptions were prepared after researching publicly accessible information within time constraints. Most information contained in a source description was taken from the source itself. The aim is to provide a brief introduction to the sources covered regularly, offering information on relevant aspects in one place in a systematic manner.