Larry Sacks serves as the Deputy Assistant to the Administrator of USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), the U.S. Government lead for international disaster response. With a mandate to save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters, BHA monitors, mitigates, and responds to global hazards and humanitarian needs. The Bureau also promotes resilience by preparing communities for disasters before they strike, and by helping people recover and move beyond crises.
Prior to joining BHA, Mr. Sacks served as the Mission Director for USAID/Colombia from August 2017 to July 2022, where he managed a staff of 135. He oversaw USAID's largest program in Latin America, with a life of project value at over $1.1 billion, focused on advancing Colombia's transition from over 50 years of violent conflict to a sustainable and inclusive peace. He led USAID strategy and programs that support Colombia's response to Venezuela's migration crisis to socially and economically integrate more than two million migrants.
Mr. Sacks previously served as Mission Director for USAID/El Salvador's bilateral and regional portfolio beginning in March 2014, where he led regional efforts to address the underlying root causes of migration. Before joining USAID/El Salvador, Mr. Sacks was the Director of the Office of Justice and Citizen Security for USAID/Mexico, where he managed a robust portfolio that contributed to the $2 billion Merida Initiative, a bilateral security initiative between the United States and Mexico. He has also served in Peru, Romania and Washington, DC.
Mr. Sacks has more than 20 years of experience in international development and diplomacy, and has advised foreign governments and civil society on citizen security, justice reform, prevention of violence, human rights, addressing the climate crisis, economic growth, migration and peace-building. Mr. Sacks has a B.S. in Liberal Arts Honors from the University of Texas at Austin, and a M.S. in International Affairs from the School of International and Public Affairs at Columbia University. Mr. Sacks and his wife, Lucila Del Aguila, have two children.