WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Counselor David Eckerson administered the oath of office today to Senior Foreign Service Officer Herbie Smith as the new USAID Mission Director to Yemen.

“As we convene for Herbie’s swearing-in ceremony, we’re reminded of how much Yemen has gone through over the past two years, how much has been accomplished, and how much can still be done,” said USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for the Middle East Alina Romanowski. She added, “We work in partnership with the Yemeni people and government, and USAID is committed to supporting the aspirations of the country’s people for a stable, prosperous and democratic Yemen. Herbie’s rich experience and demonstrated passion for his work will serve him well in his new role as Mission Director of USAID/Yemen, and will be critical in the months and years ahead.”

Herbie Smith recently completed his service as Acting Mission Director at USAID/Haiti, where he served since 2011. He has spent many years providing support to the Agency’s Food for Peace program and also served in critical reconstruction roles in Iraq and Afghanistan. From 2008-2010, he was the Director of USAID/Afghanistan’s Office of Provincial Reconstruction Teams, where he was responsible for 150 USAID American Officers working on Provincial Reconstruction Teams throughout the country. He later served in Lebanon as the Office Director overseeing USAID’s Democracy, Governance, and Education programs. 

Mr. Smith has been with USAID since 1979 and has also served in Washington, D.C., Bangladesh, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Iraq, Afghanistan, and Lebanon. Mr. Smith has a M.A. in international affairs from American University, and a B.A. in political science from the University of Delaware. Mr. Smith served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Senegal from 1976 to 1978.

For more information about the USAID and its programs in Yemen, please visit www.usaid.gov.