Press Releases

Today, on the margins of the UN General Assembly, Administrator Samantha Power and leaders of philanthropic organizations announced the endorsement of the Donor Statement on Supporting Locally Led Development by 15 foundations, representing a major milestone in building a global coalition of funders who are committed to advancing locally led development. 

Administrator Samantha Power will join a conversation on the future of PEPFAR during the 52nd Annual Legislative Conference hosted by the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation.

Today, the first shipment of airlifted humanitarian supplies from the United States, through USAID, arrived in Libya to support the response to the devastating floods. Today’s flight included relief supplies to help thousands of people. The 13 metric tons of humanitarian relief items that arrived in Benghazi today include heavy-duty and durable plastic sheeting for shelter, shelter repair kits, hygiene supplies, blankets, and water containers from USAID’s warehouse in Dubai. These supplies will be distributed by U.S. government partner the International Organization for Migration and other relief agencies to support the most urgent needs in flood-affected communities. 

Today, the United States, through USAID, announced over $130 million in additional urgently needed humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the ongoing crisis in Sudan. USAID Assistant to the Administrator Sarah Charles announced the funding during a high-level ministerial event on the humanitarian situation in Sudan and the region on the margins of the UN General Assembly. 

Today, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman announced Doing Business With Integrity, a call for innovations under the Countering Transnational Corruption Grand Challenge for Development at an event with the Atlantic Council on the margins of the United Nations General Assembly. 

Today, the United States, through USAID, announced more than $247 million in additional funding for urgent humanitarian assistance to help people across Africa coping with the impacts of protracted humanitarian crises and natural disasters. With this funding, USAID has provided more than $4.7 billion in humanitarian assistance in Africa this fiscal year to respond to the urgent needs of vulnerable people affected by conflict and crisis on the continent. 

Administrator Samantha Power continued her second day at the UN General Assembly High Level Week with a meeting with the new Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher.

Today, President Joseph R. Biden announced that the United States, through USAID and the U.S. Department of State, is providing $11 million in additional humanitarian assistance to the people of Libya affected by devastating flooding in the northeastern part of the country. This additional life-saving assistance comes at a crucial moment to support the Libyan people as they work to recover from this disaster.

Today, USAID Administrator Samantha Power and Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, the Norwegian Minister of International Development, launched a new multi-donor fund designed to unlock hundreds of millions in financing for small-and medium-sized agricultural businesses (agri-SMEs) in Africa.

Administrator Samantha Power began the UN General Assembly High Level Week with a conversation with the Washington Post’s Jonathan Capehart to discuss the climate crisis and the important role that women and girls play as leaders in addressing climate change.

Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen will travel to South Africa from September 19-22, 2023 to underscore the United States’ commitment to South Africa and advance our shared priorities of elevating local leadership, driving inclusive economic prosperity, improving health outcomes, combating wildlife trafficking, and advancing rule of law across the Southern Africa region.

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Norway’s Minister for International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim, to discuss opportunities for collaboration, including the partnership between the United States and Norway on an upcoming event on the margins of the opening of the UN General Assembly. 

Senior USAID officials, including Administrator Samantha Power and Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman, will travel to New York, New York, to attend the 78th annual UN General Assembly (UNGA) High Level Week.

On International Day of Democracy, we recognize a fundamental truth: development and democracy are integrally linked. Compared to authoritarian societies, democratic societies experience lower rates of conflict, higher economic growth, stronger environmental protections, and longer life expectancies – underscoring why making democratic progress is essential to all of our work at USAID. 

On September 14, Administrator Samantha Power met with President Irfaan Ali of Guyana. The two discussed shared priorities, including food and climate security, migration management, and inclusive economic development. Administrator Power and President Ali also underscored the strong shared commitment of the United States and Guyana to supporting the people of Haiti.

September 15 marks the launch of the movements for independence from Spanish rule across Latin America. To celebrate, communities across the region participate in traditional festivities, like the Running of the Torch across Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Costa Rica. In Mexico, the President re-enacts the cry for independence from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, ringing the same bell used in 1810.

The United States offers our deepest condolences to the people of Libya suffering from catastrophic flooding. Severe rainfall due to Storm Daniel and the subsequent failure of two dams have taken more than 6,000 lives and injured thousands more people, while thousands remain missing and unaccounted for. Homes, livelihoods, and entire communities have been washed away.

A new report out today details the far-reaching impact of the U.S. Government’s Initiative for Global Vaccine Access, or Global VAX, a united government effort to help countries overcome challenges to COVID-19 vaccine delivery and uptake. Since its launch in 2021, Global VAX has enabled the rapid acceleration of the global COVID-19 vaccine rollout and stemmed the devastating impacts of the pandemic in some of the world’s most vulnerable communities.

On September 19th, USAID Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman will chair a panel co-hosted by the Atlantic Council with senior government officials and civil society representatives from Moldova, Ukraine, and the European Union. The discussion will focus on priority anti-corruption reforms needed in Ukraine and Moldova to advance their Euro-Atlantic integration, the progress made, and the role of the international donor community in supporting reform efforts.

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Major General (Retd) James Cowan, CEO of the HALO Trust. Administrator Power and General Cowan discussed the threat of landmines and other unexploded ordnance (UXO) in conflict and post-conflict settings around the world and opportunities for USAID and HALO to align ongoing efforts in Ukraine and other areas where UXO are present.