U.S. Government Partners

USAID coordinates with other US government agencies that provide significant humanitarian assistance to populations affected by disasters. The U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) possesses unique capabilities that are able to overcome the serious logistical challenges that often occur following disasters. In collaboration with USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Asstance, DOD coordinates and directs the utilization of military assets, including personnel, supplies, and equipment, for humanitarian assistance overseas. Established in 2005, USAID’s Office of Military Affairs (OMA) is the focal point for USAID interaction with DOD. OMA is responsible for enabling effective working relationships with DOD, including maintaining emergency response readiness, coordinating planning, and developing joint training, education, and exercises. OMA also serves as a liaison between DOD and the humanitarian community during a disaster response.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration (State/PRM) also provides humanitarian assistance to people in need. State/PRM provides multilateral grants to international relief organizations in response to refugee and other emergency appeals and contributes to the regular program budgets of organizations such as the Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). State/CRS works to lead, coordinate, and institutionalize USG civilian capacity to prevent or prepare for post-conflict situations, and to help stabilize and reconstruct societies in transition from conflict or civil strife.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides food assistance to support emergency feeding programs in countries experiencing food shortages due to drought and civil conflict. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USDA’s Forest Service (FS), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) are examples of other agencies that provide technical assistance, in coordination with USAID, in response to disasters and potential hazards overseas.