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Head of Asia Bureau to move to UN position in Afghanistan
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 28, 2008
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announces the departure of Mark Ward, Acting Assistant Administrator for Asia as he moves to the United National Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA).
UNAMA is a political mission, directed and supported by the United Nations Department of Peacekeeping Operations. As an 'integrated' mission, UNAMA has two main pillars, one dealing with development and humanitarian issues, and the other handling political matters. The mission has some 1,300 staff, the vast majority of whom (around 80 percent) are Afghan nationals.
Mark will be responsible for improving coordination among the many donors in Afghanistan, making sure their work is aligned with the priorities of the Government of Afghanistan, and improving aid effectiveness. Improving aid effectiveness includes eliminating duplication among donor programs, and using local organizations to carry out UN programs.
"We will miss Mark but I cannot think of a better selection for this position. Aid effectiveness is a critical initiative and he has been at the forefront. We are focused on this issue and I am sure that Mark will continue his efforts as he assumes this demanding job in Afghanistan," said USAID Administrator Henrietta H. Fore.
As USAID's head of the Asia Bureau, Mark was responsible for programs in South, Central and East Asia. He also chaired the Agency's Tsunami, Pakistan Earthquake and Lebanon Reconstruction task forces. Ward's most recent overseas post was in Pakistan as the Mission Director, serving from July 2002 through December 2003. He joined the Foreign Service in 1986 and has served in Pakistan (twice), Egypt, the Philippines, and Russia. Mark was also the 2006 winner of the Service to America Medal for international affairs.
"It's hard to leave the Foreign Service after 22 years, but Afghanistan is a great challenge and I look forward to working with all the donors there as a UN officer, to make aid more effective and improve the lives of the Afghan people," said Mark.
For more information on USAID's programs in Afghanistan, please visit our website at www.usaid.gov.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for nearly 50 years.
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