Created in 1961 and based in Washington DC, USAID is "the principal U.S. agency to extend assistance to countries recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and engaging in democratic reforms."
USAID is an independent federal government agency that receives overall foreign policy guidance from the Secretary of State. Its work "supports long-term and equitable economic growth and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting: economic growth, agriculture and trade; global health; and, democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance."
USAID funding for the West Bank and Gaza between 1993 and 2004 totaled approximately $1.3 billion. In 2002 and 2003, USAID received $75 million from Congress for its program. In addition, in May of 2003, the Congress approved an additional $50 Million of supplemental funds.
USAID pledge, entitled "Certification Regarding Terrorist Financing," lists a range of commitments required from NGOs that operate in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They include a pledge that NGOs will not engage in activity with groups deemed as terrorist, such as Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and al-Aksa Martyrs Brigades.
For NGO Monitor's latest digest entry on USAID, clickhere
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