Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Sierra Leone has been steadily rebuilding physical, social and health infrastructure. However, the challenges of endemic corruption, high youth unemployment, inadequate services, and widespread poverty are still critical impediments to progress.
Since 1991, Somalia has essentially been a collapsed state. The social costs of war have been enormous, leaving Somalia with some of the lowest human development indicators in the world. In 2011 and 2012, the worst drought that East Africa has seen in 60 years led to famine in southern Somalia, uprooting thousands of families and putting millions at severe risk. Food security has improved, largely driven by humanitarian assistance.
USAID is working to increase stability and reduce the appeal of extremism in Somalia through programming that fosters good governance, promotes economic recovery and growth, offers youth skills training, and works to increase social cohesion through improved community with government relationships. Our programs are planned and carried out with local partners in the context of Somali culture and values.
Almost two decades after the end of apartheid, the South African Government continues to uphold the rights of its citizens and to invest heavily in the wellbeing of its people. South Africa plays a key economic and political role on the continent, but faces many challenges, including unemployment, HIV/AIDS, crime and corruption.
In January 2011, the southern Sudanese voted overwhelmingly to secede, and on July 9, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan became an independent nation. As South Sudan embarks on nationhood, USAID seeks to help make the new country increasingly stable while helping the government deliver basic services to citizens, provide effective, inclusive and accountable governance, diversify the economy, and combat poverty.
While Southern Africa has seen significant economic growth achievements, the overall number of people living in poverty has grown over the past two decades. Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa have some of the highest levels of income inequality in the world. Since 1995, USAID has maintained a regional program in Southern Africa that has evolved over time to address the changing development challenges of the sub-region. Our programs increase trade and strengthen regional economic ties, address the HIV/AIDS crisis, mitigate food insecurity, and support democratic processes.
Sri Lanka is in a period of post-conflict transition following the end of a brutal 26-year conflict between the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) and the Sri Lankan military in 2009. This transition presents both challenges and opportunities, and will determine the sustainability of the country’s peace for years to come.
USAID remains committed to playing a role in enhancing the viability and stability of Sudan as the country embarks on a new era. Conflict mitigation will be an integral component of USAID’s efforts, as progress in this area remains a chief U.S. foreign policy priority, particularly in Darfur and the Three Areas of Abyei, Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan. USAID will continue to build on the established coordination between diplomacy and development efforts in Sudan to address outstanding provisions of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended 22 years of north-south civil war. The Agency also will continue its support for democratic development in Sudan, as well as openings for a transition from emergency assistance to development assistance where conditions allow.
Swaziland is a small country almost completely surrounded by South Africa. Due in large part to its geographic position, Swaziland’s economy is heavily dependent upon trade with South Africa. The country has a relatively high per capita income, but nearly 70 percent of the population lives in poverty. Most high-level economic activity is conducted by non-Africans living in Swaziland. Primary education is widespread among boys and girls. The government’s transition from absolute to constitutional monarchy has been slow and remains incomplete.
Syria has been embroiled in conflict since March 2011 when the Syrian government first began to crack down on non-violent demonstrations in the streets of Damascus. Since then, more than 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes in Syria and almost 200,000 have fled to neighboring countries. USAID has been working closely with partners to provide humanitarian relief to the two and a half million Syrians in need.
Sharing a porous border with Afghanistan and with a highly mobile population of over 7.7 million people, Tajikistan is a conduit for trade from Afghanistan and the rest of South Asia into Central Asia. It is also a potential path for religious extremism and crippling diseases, such as multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS.
U.S. assistance supports Tanzania’s national development goal to build public and private capacity to foster a healthier, prosperous and secure nation through accountable, democratic government that responds effectively to the needs of its citizens.
Since 1832, the United States and Thailand have maintained a strong relationship. Through its assistance programs, USAID has built a solid foundation of partnership in development with the Royal Thai Government.
Timor-Leste is one of the world's newest countries and also one of the poorest. This small, half-island nation is home to a young and culturally diverse population of just over 1 million. In its pivotal Southeast Asia location between Indonesia and Australia, Timor-Leste is already playing an important role in regional and global organizations. It currently holds the chair of the g7+ Group of Fragile and Conflict-Affected States, helping to lead the way to more effective engagement between developed and developing countries.
The United States strongly supports the Tunisian people as they lay the foundation for a future of economic prosperity that empowers a new generation, strengthens civil society and solidifies the foundation of democracy.
Tunisians have charted their own political transition, and USAID has answered Tunisian requests for support for economic growth, good governance, and expanded opportunities—areas that are interlinked in this transition environment.
Strategically located in a challenging and important part of the world, Turkmenistan plays a key role in promoting integration between South and Central Asia. The country shares borders with Afghanistan and Iran, and its large hydrocarbon reserves make it a potentially pivotal supplier for regional and world markets. Turkmenistan is emerging from decades of authoritarianism and is re-engaging with the region and the world.
USAID’s wide-ranging work in Uganda supports U.S. policy objectives in peace and security, democracy and governance, health and education, economic growth, and humanitarian assistance. USAID implements three major U.S. presidential initiatives in Uganda: Feed the Future, the Global Health Initiative and the Global Climate Change Initiative.
Since 1991, Ukraine’s development trajectory has taken the country from a command to a market-based economy. The United States Government maintains a strategic interest in helping Ukraine’s transition toward greater democracy and a sustainable free market economy. Over the last 20 years USAID has provided $1.8 billion in critical development assistance in support of the Ukrainian people. Much of this development assistance has helped Ukrainians experience increased political freedoms, stronger transparency guarantees, and more economic and social opportunities.
Uzbekistan’s large population accounts for 45 percent of Central Asia’s total population. Developing an independent, stable, prosperous and democratic Central Asia is vital, and Uzbekistan, as its most populous country and geographic and strategic center, plays a pivotal role. Its strategic location north of Afghanistan and its extensive natural resources make it a potential force for economic growth and stability in the region.
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