A quarter of the world’s population now lives in conflict-affected areas and 80 percent of USAID Missions are in fragile or conflict-affected states.

For over six decades, USAID has implemented peacebuilding programs after the outbreak of violent conflict. However, once conflict has erupted, development assistance is limited in its ability to end the violence. 

Recognizing the need to address the root causes and stop violence before it erupts, USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization is an investment in global peace and stability, and U.S. national security. USAID’s Bureau for Conflict Prevention and Stabilization partners with communities affected by, or vulnerable to conflict to foster locally-owned solutions for conflict prevention and peacebuilding. 

From strengthening governance and citizen-centered service delivery, to empowering women’s participation in peace processes, to preventing mass atrocities, to stemming the spread of extremist ideologies—we aim to break the cycle of violence and invest in a peaceful and resilient future. 

How We Do It

We work in more than 60 countries around the world.

Through our Office of Transition Initiatives, we support U.S. foreign policy by seizing emerging windows of opportunity in the political landscape to promote stability, peace, and democracy by catalyzing local initiatives through adaptive and agile programming.

Through our Center for Conflict and Violence Prevention, we provide USAID Missions with expertise and funding to improve development outcomes in areas affected by fragility, conflict, and violence.

Through our Office of Civilian-Military Cooperation, we partner with the Department of Defense to address conflict and fragility, advance strategic competition, and manage global security risks by informing national security policy and fostering civilian-military partnerships and understanding.

Through our Program Office, we influence U.S. government policies to promote global peace and stability, prevent and respond to mass atrocities, counter terrorism, and empower women’s participation in preventing and resolving conflict.

Read about our Policies

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