U.S. Agency for International Development

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. agency providing assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms. USAID's work supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting economic growth, agriculture, trade, global health, democracy, conflict prevention, and humanitarian assistance. USAID provides assistance in sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe and Eurasia, and the Middle East.

USAID plays a vital role in supporting U.S. national security, foreign policy, and the war on terrorism by addressing poverty fueled by lack of economic opportunity, one of the root causes of violence. USAID's work in development joins diplomacy and defense as one of three key pieces of the nation's foreign policy apparatus.

• The agency must operate amid long-standing and emergent challenges, such as the world's growing poor and malnourished populations and the critical need to rebuild regions and nations in conflict, such as Afghanistan.
• USAID must also work to maximize the impact of humanitarian assistance programs while strengthening democracy and human rights programs in places such as Cuba.