USAID plays a vital role in the United States's national security strategy to disrupt, dismantle and defeat al Qaeda and to prevent its capacity to threaten the United States. USAID programs in agriculture, democracy and governance, economic growth, education, energy, health, and infrastructure provide Afghans and Pakistanis with the tools, technical support, capacity building and institutions for stability, economic development and security in the region.

In Washington, USAID's Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs (OAPA) provides technical support, analysis and resource management in effectively and efficiently implementing these programs.

• The Assistant to the Administrator Division (OAPA/AA) directs, sets policy and supervises all activities of the office and its overseas operations and represents the agency in interagency discussions on Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• The Program Office (OAPA/PO) provides leadership in strategic planning, budget formulation and execution, program oversight and accountability, and communications, in addition to corresponding technical support to USAID Missions in Afghanistan and Pakistan.
• The Technical Services Division (OAPA/TS) supports the field missions in the design, implementation and monitoring of their programs and it represents those programs to the Washington and U.S.-based stakeholders. It provides technical expertise in health, education, gender, democracy and governance, infrastructure, economic growth, and agriculture.
• The Afghanistan Desk (OAPA/AF) provides overall coordination of the Afghanistan portfolio within OAPA including ensuring good communications and synergy with other OAPA divisions.
• The Pakistan Desk (OAPA/PAK) provides overall coordination of the Pakistan portfolio within OAPA including ensuring good communications and synergy with other OAPA divisions.
• The Administrative Management Staff (OAPA/AMS) team ensures that all management and administrative services for the OAPA are in place and maintained.