WebJunction

The USAID web site is http://www.usaid.gov/.

History

On September 4, 1961, the Congress passed the Foreign Assistance Act, which reorganized the U.S. foreign assistance programs including separating military and non-military aid. The Act mandated the creation of an agency to administer economic assistance programs, and on November 3, 1961, President John F. Kennedy established the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. U.S. foreign assistance has always had the twofold purpose of furthering America's foreign policy interests in expanding democracy and free markets while improving the lives of the citizens by supporting economic growth, agriculture and trade, global health, and democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance. Website also available in Spanish.

Scope

The agency's website can be looked at by the type of assistance or by regions or countries.

Types of Assistance:

• Agriculture
• Democracy and Governance
• Economic Growth and Trade
• Environment
• Education and Training
• Global Health
• Global Partnerships
• Humanitarian Assistance

Assistance is provided to four regions

• Asia and the Near East
• Sub-Saharan Africa
• Europe and Eurasia
• Latin America and the Caribbean