06 October 2008
United States Saves Lives, Improves Livelihoods
Facts on official assistance and foreign aid programs
U.S. government aid, rooted in partnership rather than paternalism, helps other nations in times of crisis and provides ongoing developmental assistance to countries that govern justly, invest in their people and promote economic freedom.
United States of America
• The United States is on track to provide more than $5.5 billion — far more than any other country — to fight global hunger in 2008 and 2009.
• Congress has approved $48 billion in new funding through 2014 for the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The program has supported treatment for 1.73 million people and counseling and testing for another 33 million.
• The United States is the world’s largest contributor to the United Nations and to multilateral development banks.
• The United States has provided more than $2.5 billion to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria since the fund's launch in 2002.
• The United States is the world's top contributor to landmine clearance.
Western Hemisphere
• Between October 1, 2007, and September 30, 2008, the Department of State contributed a record $1.44 billion to help refugees, conflict victims, stateless persons and vulnerable migrants.
• The U.S.-Dominican Republic-Central America Trade Agreement is the first U.S. trade agreement that includes a component that commits the United States to providing the six countries with technical assistance and training.
• Between 2002 and 2006, the United States invested approximately $23.5 million in education partnerships between Western Hemisphere and U.S. colleges and universities.
• With U.S. assistance, women in the Western Hemisphere have received training in agriculture and natural resources management. Women also received trade and investment support to take advantage of new opportunities.
Europe
• From 2000 through 2006, the United States invested approximately $5.7 million in education partnerships between colleges and universities in Europe/Eurasia and the United States.
• In Kosovo, universities, private companies and government agencies from Kosovo and the United States are collaborating to establish a Center for Energy and Natural Resource Development. The center will assist in building self-sufficiency in energy and focus on workforce development and research.
• In Macedonia, the United States collaborated with the European Union to support the formation of the South East European University as part of a broad effort aimed at reducing ethnic conflict and providing education opportunities.
South and Central Asia
• As part of its efforts to aid vulnerable groups, the United States is supporting training for teachers and police officers in Afghanistan to respond effectively to sexual violence among returning Afghan refugees.
• With U.S. support, over 5.7 million students are enrolled in school in Afghanistan — over five times more than during the Taliban era. Girls now comprise 35 percent of students enrolled, a higher percentage than at any time in Afghan history.
• Also with U.S. assistance, approximately 80 percent of Afghanistan's population is within walking distance of a health care organization, contributing to a 22 percent drop in infant mortality.
East Asia and the Pacific
• As part of its efforts to aid vulnerable groups, the United States is providing health care, nutritious food, clean water and sanitation to Burmese refugees living along the Thai-Burma border.
• The United States will provide $26 million through 2012 to support Cambodian priorities in economic growth.
• USAID partnered with the MTV Europe Foundation and MTV Networks Asia Pacific to launch an Asia-wide anti-trafficking campaign that includes television, a multilingual Internet presence and events.
• In the Philippines, USAID supported a task force’s efforts to combat trafficking in persons through Manila's Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
Middle East and North Africa
• As part of its efforts to aid vulnerable groups, the United States is helping Iraqi refugee families in Jordan and Syria with school fees, uniforms and books.
• The United States is supplying prostheses and other support for disabled Palestinian refugee children.
• The U.S. Agency for International Development and American Charities for Palestine, a humanitarian group, have established a mechanism to channel private American donations to programs benefiting Palestinians.
• Through the Middle East Partnership Initiative, the United States has provided millions of dollars in support of university partnerships that foster civic participation and increased cultural understanding.
• USAID supported Jordan's two leading businesswomen's associations, strengthening their capacity to establish women-friendly work environments and establishing a network of women power-brokers to support rising women leaders.
• In Lebanon, U.S. assistance created employment and increased the income of rural women through skills, resources, equipment and information.
Africa
• As part of its efforts to aid vulnerable groups, the United States is providing materials and training for Darfur refugees to build and use fuel-efficient stoves.
• The U.S. malaria program has reached an estimated 25 million people in sub-Saharan Africa.
• From 2000 to 2006, the United States invested $22.7 million in education partnerships between African and U.S. colleges and universities.
• In Somalia, the United States provided assistance to civil society groups to increase women's participation in the political process.
• A USAID safe schools program is making an important contribution to curbing gender violence in and around schools.
• USAID awarded $5.7 million to help prevent HIV infection among teenage girls in Africa.
