Working in Crises and Conflict

  • USAID is working with a wide variety of partners to respond to the humanitarian needs of the South Sudanese people.

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Impossible to Walk Away
Impossible to Walk Away
Nepal, One Year After the Earthquake
Nepal, One Year After the Earthquake
Just Bring a Chair
[VIDEO] Just Bring A Chair

Speeches Shim

Every year, droughts, floods, hurricanes, and other natural disasters affect approximately 100 million people and cause more than $100 billion dollars in economic damage. Today, 78 million people across 45 countries are in need of emergency food assistance. And authoritarian leaders still govern nearly 50 countries, while the same number of countries are affected by conflict or potential instability.

Poverty and conflict are inextricably linked to authoritarianism and poor governance, with the consequences for citizens only worsening during times of crisis.

In 2017, conflict in Nigeria, Iraq, Yemen, and South Sudan left tens of millions in need of assistance while Syria entered the sixth year of a brutal civil war that has destroyed entire communities and affected far too many lives. Just as we have in these countries, USAID remains committed to responding to crises around the world, to help the people and places most in need.

With a focus on disaster prevention, response, recovery and transition, we are working to:

Providing humanitarian assistance in times of need is the fundamental reflection of our core American values.

Over the last year, we have:

  • Provided emergency assistance to tens of millions of people in 51 countries in response to 53 disasters.
  • Provided food assistance in the form of food, cash transfers for food and food vouchers to 70 million people in 53 countries.
  • Helped prevent conflict and mitigate the impact of unanticipated complex crises with targeted programs in five countries.