Press Releases

On May 18, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman attended the G7 Development Ministerial in Berlin, hosted by German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Svenja Schulze, and with the participation of development leaders from G7 countries and invited guests. Throughout the Ministerial, Deputy Administrator Coleman and other participants discussed collective approaches to mitigating the global food security crisis exacerbated by Russia’s war in Ukraine, high-quality standards for infrastructure investments, climate change and a socially just energy transition, and gender equity and equality in development assistance.

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Kosovo Prime Minister Albin Kurti to reaffirm USAID’s unwavering support for the country’s democratic and economic aspirations and its European and Euro-Atlantic path. Prime Minister Kurti underscored the deep friendship and partnership between the people of both countries, and Administrator Power recognized Prime Minister Kurti for Kosovo’s proactive leadership to address climate change and strengthen long-term energy security.

At the Global Food Security Call to Action Ministerial Meeting convened by the United States today in New York, Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced nearly $215 million in additional humanitarian assistance to address the global food security crisis, which has been exacerbated by Russia’s war on Ukraine and its corresponding impact on global markets. Even before the war began, approximately 768 million people were chronically hungry. This new crisis has only made an already dire situation significantly worse, with as many as 40 million people projected to be pushed into poverty and food insecurity through the end of the year.

Today, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with food security experts from leading think tanks and academic institutions to discuss the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on food security and nutrition and the U.S. government’s response efforts to the global food crisis.

On May 13, 2022, during her trip to Laos, USAID Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming Isobel Coleman announced $5.6 million to support the Government of Laos to advance their education and economic growth goals, both of which have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Thank you so much, Vice President Harris.  Just to start by saying what an important gathering this is truly.  And to thank each of you, excellencies, for coming all of this way, to dive into these critical issues.  I feel incredibly privileged to be part of this team led by President Biden and Vice President Harris, who are driving, as you heard, unprecedented American climate ambition and progress.  

On May 11, Deputy Administrator Coleman completed her trip to Bangladesh to assess the realities on the ground of the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the genocide against the Rohingya in Burma. She visited Cox’s Bazar district and met with U.S. Government, United Nations (UN), and local non-governmental organization (NGO) partners, and Rohingya leaders to discuss the needs of the nearly one million Rohingya refugees currently living in Cox’s Bazar and on Bhasan Char island.

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Rebecca Chalif:‎

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Kenya Ministry of Agriculture Permanent Secretary Harry Kimtai, Tanzania Minister of Agriculture Hussein Mohamed Bashe, and Zambia Ministry of Agriculture Director of Policy and Planning Peggy Mulewa, to discuss the food security impacts of Russia’s war on Ukraine in their countries, plans to address these new shocks, and ways in which USAID and the international community can help.

Today, at the second Global COVID-19 Summit, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) announced new efforts to prevent future pandemics and pilot a lifesaving test and treat strategy, as part of USAID’s ongoing leadership to end the acute phase of the COVID-19 pandemic and advance global health security.