- Agriculture and Food Security
- Democracy, Human Rights and Governance
- Economic Growth and Trade
- Education
- Environment and Global Climate Change
- Frontiers in Development
- Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment
- Global Health
- Science, Technology and Innovation
- Water and Sanitation
- Working in Crises and Conflict
How We Do It
![USAID Urban Search and Rescue Team Members Arrive in Japan USAID Urban Search and Rescue Team Members Arrive in Japan](https://webarchive.library.unt.edu/web/20121017081709im_/http://www.usaid.gov/sites/default/files/styles/505_width/public/nodeimage/IMG_0190_0.jpg)
USAID staff in Washington, D.C., and worldwide continually work to ensure that aid reaches those affected by crisis—wherever they are and whenever they need it. We monitor emerging crises, pre-position relief supplies, and develop programs to ensure that local communities are prepared for potential disaster. When we know a disaster is looming, we even pre-deploy response teams and take early action to help reduce the suffering and destruction that many disasters cause.
In the aftermath of a disaster, USAID utilizes its professional cadre of regional and technical humanitarian experts, including engineers, doctors, epidemiologists, and logisticians. They are deployable within hours to help identify the most pressing humanitarian needs. Through well-established processes and partnerships with relief agencies, USAID quickly and responsibly disburses funding for critical humanitarian activities. USAID has stocks of food aid and relief supplies, like shelter materials and water containers, positioned in regional hubs around the world. When communities need something we don’t have in stock, we fast-track procurement to ensure that the supplies are delivered as quickly as possible.
Providing rapid assistance is crucial, but ensuring we provide assistance in an appropriate way is essential in helping communites begin to recover and rebuild. USAID’s humanitarian experts strive to do just that.
@theOFDA
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theOFDA
MT @USAID: We are the largest provider of in-kind food aid + one of largest providers of cash-based food asst in the world. #WFD2012
4 hours 6 min ago.
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theOFDA
RT @UNICEF: Did you know handwashing with soap is the single most cost-effective health intervention ever? #iwashmyhands Please RT!
4 days 11 hours ago.
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theOFDA
Women and Girls Reduce Disaster Risk Every Day t.co/ZGNjnYIf #IDDR
4 days 15 hours ago.
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