Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance

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Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance Overview Strategic Objective Notifications Democracy and Governance Conflict Management and Mitigation Food for Peace Private and Voluntary Cooperation American Schools and Hospitals Abroad International Disaster Assistance Transition Initiatives P.L. 480 Food For Peace Bureau for Economic Growth, Agriculture, and Trade Bureau for Global Health Bureau for Management Bureau for Policy and Program Coordination Global Development Alliance International Partnerships Summary Tables Notified Levels: FY 2002 FY 2003 Abbreviations & Acronyms Last updated: 10     DCHA Humanitarian Assistance to Central Asia Region ($ in mil) FY 2001 OFDA $ 12.5 FFP $ 31.2 DG $ .5 Subtotal $ 44.2   FY 2002 OFDA $ 82.1 OTI $ 2.2 FFP $ 40.6 Subtotal $124.9   Total FY 2001/2002  $182.0 The Bureau for Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) manages a broad range of critical development and life-saving, emergency-response activities. DCHA programs encourage responsible participation by all citizens in the political processes of their countries, assist those countries to improve governance, especially the rule of law, and help strengthen non-governmental organizations and other elements of civil society. Most developing countries, particularly those that are poor and divided by ethnicity or religion, confront periodic conflict. A new DCHA initiative will help countries prepare for and manage such conflict peacefully. Nevertheless, there are inevitably natural disasters and violent man-made crises, which threaten large-scale loss of human life. Proposed funding for FY 2003 will further strengthen U.S. leadership in foreign disaster assistance and emergency food aid. Additional resources are also requested for the successful transition assistance program, which helps countries recover from crisis and return to development progress. In light of the events of September 11th, an overarching priority embraced by DCHA is humanitarian assistance for Central Asia. In acknowledgment of the critical role that USAID would have in response to the humanitarian crisis in Central Asia, the Administrator created the Central Asia Task Force. The magnitude of the humanitarian crisis and the importance of this region to U.S. national interests required that USAID act swiftly and creatively in fulfilling its role in this crisis. Even prior to September 11, Afghanistan was impoverished and mired in an extended humanitarian crisis. Government infrastructure, including the ability to deliver the most basic health, education, and other social services, had collapsed. After the terrorist attacks on America, fears of a U.S. reprisal triggered a population exodus from major Afghan cities, both toward other points in Afghanistan and toward the country's borders. International staff of most relief agencies also withdrew, leaving the status of relief programs in question at a critical moment. These new developments added to an existing crisis of extensive displacement stemming from civil conflict and a debilitating three-year drought. To date, a total of $237.5 million in FY 2002 U.S. Government humanitarian assistance has been provided, and of that total, $124.9 million has been provided from DCHA offices. A total of $420 million in U.S. Government humanitarian assistance has been provided to Afghanistan over FY 2001 and FY 2002. "States with ineffective and incompetent governance not only will fail to benefit from globalization, but in some instances will spawn conflicts at home and abroad, ensuring an even wider gap between regional winners and losers than exists today." Source: Global Trends 2015: A Dialogue About the Future with Nongovernment Experts. THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: No matter where on the path between humanitarian crisis and stability an activity may fall, the ultimate goal of DCHA Offices is the promotion of peace and political stability in a democratic framework. The tragic events of September 11th have increased the ever-present challenges intrinsic to these activities. Through the work of DCHA's seven line offices, DCHA's programs support USAID's four pillars of (1) economic growth, agriculture and trade, (2) global health, (3) democracy, conflict and humanitarian assistance, and (4) the Global Development Alliance. Office for Democracy and Governance (DG): USAID efforts to strengthen democracy and good governance worldwide anchor a balanced foreign policy approach. Democratic governments are more likely to advocate and observe international laws, protect civil and human rights, avoid external conflicts, and pursue free market economies essential to international trade and prosperity. This work involves a variety of often difficult political and institutional reforms, and capacity-building across four strategic areas: (1) promoting the rule of law and respect for human rights; (2) encouragement of credible and competitive political processes; (3) development of politically active civil society; and (4) promoting more transparent and accountable government institutions, including local government support and anti-corruption efforts.   Office of Conflict Management and Mitigation (CMM): The increasing lack of capacity of states globally to deal with problems that are potential causes of conflict, instability and in some cases terrorism poses a major and growing threat. In response, CMM structures its programs and external relationships to deal more effectively with this emerging global reality. This new standard applies to all USAID development programs and partners, but especially those that directly address humanitarian assistance, the transition from crisis to stability, and promotion of democracy. CMM activities are longer term than those of the Office of Transition Initiatives, and can be utilized for non-emergency programs.   Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA): USAID remains at the forefront of agencies around the world in its ability to respond to man-made and natural disasters. Although emergency relief to natural disasters is essential, preparedness is also crucial. While nature cannot be tamed, or natural disasters stopped from taking place, there is room for prevention. OFDA's preparedness, mitigation and prevention efforts are important parts in dealing with natural disasters, and have an even greater role when it comes to complex emergencies. The last decade has seen a marked increase in these man-made emergencies because war and internal conflict lead to the breakdown and collapse of social, political and economic structures. Sometimes, man-made emergencies are accompanied by natural disasters, which compound their complexity.   Office of Transition Initiatives (OTI): OTI addresses the needs of pre- and post-transition countries experiencing significant political change, or facing critical threats to basic stability and democratic reform. OTI works on the ground with local partners to provide short-term, high-impact assistance targeted at key transition needs.   Office of Food for Peace (FFP): FFP manages P.L. 480 Title II food aid which is the primary resource of the United States for responding swiftly to the critical food needs of disaster victims and other targeted vulnerable groups. Non-emergency, development food aid programs are focused on mitigating food insecurity in low-income, food deficit countries.   Office of Private and Voluntary Cooperation (PVC): PVC supports activities that strengthen the capabilities of private voluntary and cooperative development organizations and their local partners to deliver development and relief at the grassroots level in priority areas such as child survival and health, micro-enterprise, agriculture, civil society, democracy and the environment.   Office of American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (ASHA): ASHA awards grants to U.S. organizations that founded or sponsor private, overseas schools, libraries and hospital centers. Through implementation of these grants, access to American ideas, values and practices are increased. Such activities project a positive image of the United States, contribute to the reduction of poverty, and assist in combating terrorism.   Office of Program, Policy and Management (PPM): PPM provides technical assistance and support to various operating units, both within and outside the DCHA Bureau. The 0ffice encourages coordination and cooperation and takes the lead in supporting USAID's strategic planning for humanitarian assistance programs, particularly for the Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance pillar. Where appropriate, the Office also provides technical assistance and other support related to the Global Development Alliance; Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade; and Global Health pillars.   PROGRAM AND MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES: To be effective, humanitarian intervention must be well coordinated, the response must be careful but rapid if lives are to be saved and suffering reduced, and the approaches must be appropriately integrated to help victims return to self-sufficiency. A few highlights of the results achieved by DCHA's Offices in FY 2001 include: Office Highlights of FY 2001 Results DG Provided training and support to human rights activists in Algeria, East Timor, and Uzbekistan. Enabled partners to monitor the pre-election situations in Nicaragua and Zimbabwe. Managed two anti-sweatshop programs, which led to development of code of conduct for manufacturers and provided support to grassroots nongovernmental organizations. Managed 10 country-specific anti-corruption programs including Albania, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Honduras, Mexico, Paraguay, and Russia. CMM New office to be established FY 2002. OFDA Responded to 79 declared disasters in 56 countries, including 54 natural disasters, 16 complex emergencies, and nine man-made emergencies. A major focus in FY 2001 was the complex emergency in Afghanistan. Despite the forced withdrawal of all international relief staff from Afghanistan after the September attacks on America, OFDA provided over $12 million in assistance. OTI Delivered radios to the people of Afghanistan that allows them to hear special broadcast bulletins concerning food distribution, security, health care and other relevant humanitarian information. Redesigned program in Nigeria after sudden eruption of conflict, to include conflict management skills for top civil servants, business people, youth, women, and religious and community leaders. FFP Provided $10 million in Title II resources for "Children affected by HIV/AIDS." Fed more than 33 million people using $440.5 million of Title II emergency funds. Provided approximately $448 million to implementing partners for Title II non-emergency programs. PVC Contributed to a 36% increase in the average number of borrowers from PVOs, CDOs and their local partners' micro-finance services. In an average sized Child Survival Grant Program activity (110,000 beneficiaries), approximately 200 measles deaths were averted. ASHA Provided education and medical services in areas where the need was overwhelming. Grantees improved access to and the quality of educational and medical services by constructing and equipping facilities. Approximately 100,000 students are enrolled and exposed to American-based education and more than 3 million patients received American-style medical care. OTHER DONORS: A hallmark of DCHA's programs is the degree to which they involve partners, including private voluntary organizations (PVOs), cooperative development organizations (CDOs), non-governmental organizations (NGOs), for-profit contractors, American schools and hospitals sponsoring overseas institutions, United Nations agencies, and international organizations. Efforts developed by DCHA will involve continued close coordination with the U.S. foreign affairs community, particularly the Department of State. There will be an increased number of alliances with entities such as the U.S. Institute for Peace; the Department of Defense; indigenous religious institutions dedicated to conflict prevention, mitigation, and resolution; and other non-governmental organizations. FY 2003 PROGRAM: DCHA's funding request for FY 2003 is $1,575.6 million. This is an increase of $113.9 million over FY 2002's planned total. Factors affecting the increase include the addition of the Offices for Democracy and Governance and for Conflict Management and Mitigation to the Bureau, and the increased request for P.L. 480 resources to counter the absence of Section 416(b) food aid beginning in FY 2003. The request by office and account is as shown in the table below. Office Category FY 2002 Planned FY 2003 Request Comment DG DA 15,700 18,779 FY 2002 and FY 2003, includes expected operating year budget transfers of $3 million DA from LAC Bureau and $3 million DA from AFR Bureau for Labor AFL/CIO. CMM DA 0 10,000   FFP DA 3,950 6,000   CSH 2,050   PVC DA 26,350 54,321   CSH 25,143   ASHA DA 18,000 17,000   OFDA International Disaster Assistance 381,500 235,500 FY 2002, includes $146 million Supplemental for Afghanistan Emergency Response Fund. OTI Transition Initiatives 50,000 55,000   FFP P.L. 480 945,000 1,185,000 FY 2002, includes $95 million Supplemental. TOTAL By Category DA 64,000 106,100   CSH 27,193 0 IDA 381,500 235,500 TI 50,000 55,000 P.L. 480 945,000 1,185,000 TOTAL DCHA   1,467,693 1,581,600 $6 million DA expected in operating year budget transfers for DG noted above is not included in PROGRAM SUMMARY at beginning of DCHA narrative.

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