USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) leads and coordinates the U.S. Government’s disaster response efforts overseas. Helping people affected by crises is at the core of what we do every day, all over the world. It reflects our values as Americans, demonstrates our global leadership, and makes the world a safer place.

How We Help: USAID helps tens of millions of people by providing critical humanitarian aid to people in need.

  • Agriculture
  • Food Assistance and Nutrition
  • Health
  • Logistics
  • Protection
  • Relief Commodities
  • Shelter
  • Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Global Presence: USAID humanitarian staff and resources are strategically located around the world.

  • 48 Countries with full-time humanitarian response staff
  • 14 Advisory Offices at USUN missions, CDC, USEU, and U.S. military combatant commands
  • 8 Emergency Stockpiles in Australia, Djibouti, Ghana, South Africa-Durban, South Africa-Johannesburg, United Arab Emirates, USA-Florida, and USA-Texas
  • 6 Regional Offices in Bangkok, Thailand; Budapest, Hungary; Dakar, Senegal; Nairobi, Kenya; Pretoria, South Africa; and San José, Costa Rica

Strengthening Resilience: BHA doesn't just respond to humanitarian emergencies. We help lay the initial foundations for longer-term recovery.

  • Early Recovery efforts build on humanitarian responses and protect/restore basic systems and services
  • Risk Reduction programs prevent or reduce risks associated with chronic and recurrent hazards
  • Resilience activities help people, communities and countries mitigate, adapt to, and recover from shocks and stresses

IN FISCAL YEAR 2023: USAID responded to 76 crises in 64 countries. We provided more than $9.8 billion to help people affected by disasters and conflict, deliver emergency food assistance to refugees, and give communities the tools they need to be resilient to future crises.

USAID also had 11 Disaster Assistance Response Teams (DARTs) deployed, responding to earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, flooding in Pakistan and Libya, an earthquake in Morocco, and ongoing crises in Ukraine, northern Ethiopia, Sudan, Afghanistan, Haiti, the South Caucasus, and the Venezuela region. BHA also provided elevated bureau support for the Horn of Africa drought.