 Frequently Asked Questions about USAID and its Regional Development Mission for Asia
What is USAID?
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency that provides economic, development and humanitarian assistance around the world in support of the foreign policy goals of the United States. For more information, visit About USAID.
What countries does the Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) cover?
RDMA was established in Bangkok in 2003 to manage bilateral USAID programs in Asian countries without USAID Missions, such as Burma, China, Laos, and Thailand. Its role has broadened to address regional and transnational issues, and its programs now cover most of Asia.
What is the benefit of this regional approach?
The Mission’s regional approach to development projects provides a cost-effective way to manage services and programs. It strengthens regional institutions and helps to engage regional and international partners.
Which sectors does USAID focus on in Asia?
RDMA’s programs address numerous regional and transnational issues, such as responsible use of natural resources, improved access to clean water, reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS, malaria, tuberculosis and avian influenza, preventing human and wildlife trafficking, facilitating trade and economic development, improving governance, and resolving political conflict.
See Programs for details.
Why do the U.S. Government and USAID provide assistance?
The United States has a long history of extending a helping hand people overseas who are struggling for a better life, recovering from disaster, or making strides to live in a free and democratic country. It is this caring that stands as a hallmark of the United States and shows our character as a nation.
U.S. foreign assistance has always had the two-fold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens of the developing world. Spending less than one-half of 1 percent of the Federal budget, USAID works around the world to achieve these goals.
Since 1961, USAID has provided substantial economic assistance to developing countries. Sometimes this aid is purely humanitarian in nature, such as aid for disaster relief and emergency food programs. In other instances, assistance is provided because of special historical or security relationships. But most often, economic assistance is just one element of U.S. relationships with developing countries – relationships that also include mutually beneficial trade and investment flows and educational and cultural exchanges.
USAID programs are financed by American taxpayers. Many Americans feel that the U.S. has a responsibility to help developing countries achieve better lives for their people. Providing development assistance helps the U.S. build closer ties with developing countries. The U.S. also benefits economically because economies that are developing and growing are better trade and investment partners.
How do RDMA’s programs work in the region?
RDMA’s staff in Bangkok consults extensively with the NGO community, U.S. Embassies in the region, the private sector, and other stakeholders to determine the types of aid that are needed. The Mission then formulates a strategic plan that proposes how the aid will be used and the levels of funding that are required. This plan is reviewed by USAID headquarters in Washington, D.C., and is incorporated into the President's annual foreign assistance bill, which is submitted to the U.S. Congress. Once the bill is passed, RDMA officials negotiate the agreements required to release USAID funds.
RDMA’s implementing teams monitor the progress of USAID-funded activities, conduct site visits, and carry out evaluations and audits to ensure that activities are being run as planned.
How can I or my organization receive funding from USAID?
Overall, the priorities for funding are drawn from the strategic plan, which is drawn up following extensive consultation with the NGO community, U.S. Embassies in the region, the private sector, and other stakeholders. The assistance is implemented by appropriate agencies of the national, provincial and local governments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and private voluntary organizations (PVOs), and businesses and civic organizations.
USAID assistance is generally in the form of technical assistance – services supplied by people and firms that USAID hires. Decisions regarding specific contractors and grantees are done through competitively bid contracts and grants which support specific objectives of our current program activities.
Project proponents may submit unsolicited proposals or request assistance from the RDMA if the concept being proposed has a clear and direct fit with USAID's development strategy in the region.
Can USAID help me obtain visas to the U.S.?
USAID is strictly a development agency. It has no jurisdiction over the application, review, or approval process for obtaining visas or other entry documents to the United States. Please contact the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy in your country for information and assistance.
How can I get a job with USAID RDMA in Bangkok?
For more information on available job opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page.
Vacancies for local positions are usually advertised in major newspapers, such as the Bangkok Post, the Nation and Krungthep Turakij with instructions on how to apply. They are also posted at fedbizopps.gov, the U.S. Government business opportunities website.
For U.S. citizens interested in a long-term career with USAID, please contact the Office of Human Resources Management (M/HR), Recruitment Branch, United States Agency for International Development, Second Floor, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Ronald Reagan Building, Federal Triangle Area, Washington, D. C. 20523, USA. You can also find additional information on USAID’s Employment Opportunities page.
How can I do business with USAID RDMA?
USAID RDMA-funded activities are carried out through contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements with American and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and contractors. For more information on available opportunities, please visit our Opportunities page.
Which U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (PVOs) do business with USAID?
USAID's Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation (OPVC) in Washington, D.C. maintains a list of registered PVCs.
What are Global Development Alliances and how can my company become involved?
Global Development Alliances (GDA) mobilize the ideas, efforts and resources of governments, businesses and civil society by forging public-private alliances to stimulate economic growth, develop businesses and workforces, address health and environmental issues, and expand access to education and technology. The MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) campaign in Asia is a public-private partnership between USAID, the MTV Europe Foundation and MTV Networks to fight human trafficking in Asia.
Could you send me some general information on USAID activities in the region?
All information about USAID RDMA is available on this website. We urge you to browse the site and print whatever you deem appropriate. If you need additional information, please contact us.
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