Speeches Shim
COVID-19 is one of the greatest health challenges our world has ever faced. To beat the virus in the United States, we must also fight it abroad. USAID’s work to end the pandemic is keeping Americans safe, saving lives around the world, and rebuilding the U.S. and global economies.
We need to attack this virus globally, not just at home, because it’s in America’s self-interest to do so. The virus knows no boundaries. —President Joe Biden
USAID’s Global Response
COVID-19 knows no borders and no one is safe until everyone is safe. USAID is working around the clock to help save lives and end the pandemic for all. Since the beginning of the pandemic, USAID has supported more than 120 countries to contain and combat the virus. To date, USAID has provided more than $9 billion to intensify the fight against COVID-19 around the world, pave the way to global recovery, and strengthen global health security.
Only through collaboration can we collectively overcome COVID-19. —Administrator Samantha Power
USAID’s Programs
USAID is building on decades of global health leadership combating infectious diseases such as Ebola, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria to now fight COVID-19. USAID programs are helping deliver vaccines and get shots in arms, expand access to COVID-19 testing and treatment, protect and train health workers, deliver life-saving health commodities and equipment, share reliable public health information, and safeguard global health security. Yet USAID is not just fighting the disease—USAID is fighting to secure decades of development progress that the pandemic is unwinding. USAID programs are keeping kids in school, providing emergency food and hygiene assistance, helping people find work, preventing democratic backsliding, addressing gender-based violence, and tackling other devastating impacts of the pandemic.
USAID is committed to building back a better world, one that is better prepared to prevent, detect, and respond to future biological threats, and where all people can live safe, prosperous, and healthy lives. — USAID COVID-19 Task Force Director Jeremy Konyndyk
Resources
- USAID COVID-19 fact sheets
- USAID COVID-19 guidance for implementing partners
- American Rescue Plan
- U.S. Global Response and Recovery Framework
- CDC COVID-19 information
- Get involved
The spread of COVID-19 has shown that an infectious disease threat anywhere can be a threat everywhere. USAID is dedicated to ending this pandemic for everyone, everywhere.
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USAID Operating Status
Last updated: October 28, 2021
Globally, the COVID-19 pandemic has now claimed over four-and-a-half million lives. And this is just the reported number; we know the true number is likely far higher.
But what these flags, and this devastating loss of life globally, cannot speak to, are the many indirect effects of this pandemic across our planet. Like the tens of millions of people who have been pushed into poverty and extreme hunger because their markets shut down and their economies stalled. Or the “shadow pandemic” of gender-based violence, as women and girls are forced to shelter in place with their abusers.
On Thursday, September 23, United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power met with Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema to discuss U.S. support for Zambia and President Hichilema’s far-reaching agenda of democratic and economic reforms.
Today, while meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power announced approximately $18.5 million in additional U.S. Government funding to support the people of Zambia, including Zambia’s fight against COVID-19.
I know all of us find ourselves in a similar state—the scale of global need is unprecedented, and we cannot possibly commit all the resources necessary to address the strain of COVID-19 and its secondary impacts. But in a world of competing needs, the flags on the mall remind us just how urgent it is to save lives now.
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced it will plan to provide $345 million for life-saving vaccine assistance, oxygen supplies, and targeted surge support to COVID-19 hotspots.
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