USAID

About USAID

The US Agency for International Development (USAID) operates under the foreign-policy guidance of the US Secretary of State. Its mission is to expand democracy and free markets while improving the lives of individuals in undeveloped and crisis-ridden areas worldwide. USAID provides expertise and funding for projects in agriculture, democracy, economic growth, the environment, education, governance, global partnerships, health, and humanitarian assistance. With projects in over 100 countries, USAID's origins trace back to the Marshall Plan. President John F. Kennedy established USAID by executive order in 1961. Recognizing that foreign direct investment significantly outweighs official development assistance, USAID increasingly focuses on private-sector partnerships. Examples include a collaboration with PepsiCo and the World Food Programme to source chickpeas from Ethiopian farmers for malnourished children and worldwide distribution, and a partnership with Citi to expand mobile money technology access. USAID also collaborates with Green Mountain Coffee Roasters to foster coffee growing markets in Latin America and the Caribbean. USAID investments can yield private-sector benefits, with eleven of the US' top export markets being former or current aid recipients. For instance, Taiwan, a recipient of significant US aid between 1949 and 1963, now sees its tourists spend over $1 billion annually in the US. Assistance from USAID's predecessor also aided the establishment of Formosa Plastics in Taiwan, which now employs thousands in the US. USAID also partners with US military organizations, such as the US Army Corps of Engineers for post-earthquake rebuilding efforts, with its Office of Civilian Military Cooperation spearheading this strategy. Furthermore, USAID aims to increase its financial aid disbursed to local entrepreneurs, NGOs, and partner governments, setting a goal of 30% by 2015.