Volume Four, Issue Six

First Ever USAID Forward Progress Report is Released

Three years ago, President Obama and former Secretary of State Clinton called for the elevation of development as a key part of America's national security and foreign policy.

USAID

On March 20, USAID released our first ever USAID Forward Progress Report highlighting our successes and challenges in reforming the Agency and delivering better, more sustainable results. USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah shared the findings of the report at an event hosted by the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) and Center for American Progress (CAP). Administrator Shah said, "We know that development is a discipline, not simply a good deed. It requires strategic planning, evidence-based approaches, and robust monitoring and evaluation to create a foundation for success." The report focuses on the Agency's work to deliver measurable results, promote sustainable development through partnerships, and scale up innovation.

 Visit our USAID Forward page for the complete report and highlights from the event.

Annual Letter Released

Last week, Administrator Shah released his third annual letter. It highlights our role to help achieve the president's call to end extreme poverty and USAID's "New Model" for development. In the letter, Administrator Shah focuses on the capacity of partnerships to maximize our impact and scale meaningful results.The letter showcases specific examples, to include partnering with small community banks in the Philippines, local imams in northern Nigeria, and multinational agriculture companies in Tanzania.  Click here to read more about these partnerships and our work to help achieve the president's goal to end extreme poverty.

Marking World TB Day,Global Health Journal Launched

A young woman infected with TB.

Aeras

This year World TB Day was March 24. With each year, the global community used the day to raise awareness about TB prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. USAID participated in multiple events throughout the week, including celebrating TB during an event at Washington's Newseum. Visit the World TB Day web page to learn more about the events and read the TB Report to Congress.  

Earlier this week, we helped launch the Global Health Science and Practice Journal (GHSP), an open-access, peer-reviewed journal published by USAID, the Knowledge for Health project at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and the Department of Global Health at George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services. GHSP aims to advance knowledge on how programs are implemented and to promote what works. Visit the new website to read the inaugural issue, submit a manuscript, or become a reviewer.

Deputy Administrator Steinberg Visits Bangladesh and Thailand to Engage on Climate Change & LGBT Issues

Deputy Administrator Steinberg speaks in Bangladesh.

USAID/Bangladesh

Deputy Administrator Don Steinberg traveled to Asia March 26-29, with stops in Bangladesh and Thailand. His three-day visit in Dhaka was to further the partnership between the United States and Bangladesh through development assistance, with a particular focus on climate change and gender. During his visit, Steinberg met with government officials including the ministers of Agriculture and of Environment and Forests.

He also launched USAID's new environment conservation initiative, the Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods (CREL) project. It is a five-year, $35 million program to involve communities in the management of key ecosystems and develop alternative livelihoods for them to reduce dependence on protected area resources.

USAID In the News  

Can't get enough of USAID? This week USAID was featured in the Sudan Tribune after the Agency followed upWorld Water Day with an announcement that "it is committed to increase the number of South Sudanese who have access to clean water and sanitation."

In its "India Ink" blog, the New York Times interviewed Administrator Shah on "his recent trip to Mumbai about transformations in the development sector, the function of the private sector in development work and the aid agency's new programs and partnerships aimed at reducing preventable child deaths."

Have you Seen our Blog?

Check out the Impact Blog to stay updated on the latest information about USAID programs in Washington and around the world. Read stories from the field, hear from development experts, and view weekly photos and videos of development in action. You can also join the conversation on social media!