Press Releases

On April 21, Administrator Samantha Power met with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) President Peter Maurer to discuss humanitarian emergencies and responses around the world, including in Ukraine and Afghanistan. Administrator Power thanked President Maurer for ICRC’s commitment to meeting the needs of the most vulnerable in challenging contexts across the world, including in countries where it has been difficult to access people in need. The two discussed their shared concerns on the need for urgent humanitarian access in Ukraine. They also discussed ICRC’s challenges in countering disinformation and false narratives about their work in Ukraine. They further discussed ongoing humanitarian needs including health care in Afghanistan. Administrator Power specifically thanked President Mauer for ICRC’s management of hospitals and planned expansion across Afghanistan which provides critical care for the most vulnerable Afghans, especially children.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), will invest $131 million to counter the impact of Russia’s brutal war on the Ukrainian people and to strengthen Ukraine’s resilience, democracy, economy, and healthcare systems.

Today, Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman met with Samir Saied, the Tunisian Minister of Economy and Planning, to discuss Tunisia’s economic and political reform efforts and USAID’s support to the Tunisian people.

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Mars Inc., and the Institute for Development Impact (I4DI) announce a joint investment of up to $7.2 million to improve the profitability and sustainability of Indonesia’s cocoa industry.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing nearly $313 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help people affected by the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia. Across the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions, continued fighting and lack of humanitarian access has left as many as 9 million people facing severe food insecurity and has forced more than 2 million people to flee their homes. In Tigray alone, more than 90 percent of people need aid, while across all three northern regions as many as 1 million people are projected to face famine-like conditions by June.

On April 19, Administrator Samantha Power met with Dr. Seth Berkley, the CEO of Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance (Gavi). Administrator Power expressed USAID’s appreciation for our long-standing partnership with Gavi during this critical moment in time for global immunization access and equity. Administrator Power and Dr. Berkley also discussed Gavi’s core routine immunization portfolio and the procurement and delivery of COVID-19 vaccines through COVAX. The two discussed the critical importance of continuing to fund vaccine delivery so that we are able to prevent doses from going to waste and mitigate the emergence of new variants by getting shots in arms around the world.

The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is contributing $500 million to the World Bank’s Multi-Donor Trust Fund for Ukraine (MDTF), fully implementing President Biden’s commitment to President Zelenskyy that the United States intends to provide the Ukrainian government with direct budgetary aid during their March 30 call. The United States remains committed to supporting Ukraine and its people in the wake of Russia’s unprovoked and unjustified war. 

On April 15, Administrator Samantha Power spoke with the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Kiril Petkov to discuss the government of Bulgaria’s anti-corruption agenda. The Administrator reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to helping the government of Bulgaria advance critical anti-corruption reforms, strengthen democratic institutions, and spur economic investment.

Today, USAID released its first Equity Action Plan, which details five key recommendations to advance equity with underserved communities, including racial and ethnic equity, in our policies, programs and partner base. USAID, along with other federal agencies, are committed to advancing equity and stand with the Biden-Harris Administration to prioritize the advancement of equity throughout the federal government.