Eastern and Southern Caribbean
For more than 50 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided development assistance to the Caribbean region to advance a safe, prosperous and resilient Caribbean region that supports its vulnerable populations, withstands external shocks, and promotes accountable institutions, economic development and private sector led growth.
Despite significant strides made over the years, Eastern and Southern Caribbean countries remain susceptible to myriad threats that affect the lives and livelihoods of citizens, especially vulnerable and indigenous populations. The region grapples with the effects of climate change, including severe natural disasters, rising seas, and warming oceans, which has led to major losses for the region’s tourism, agricultural, and fisheries sectors. The invasion of Ukraine has sharpened food insecurity in a region that imports the majority of its food. Access to finance and competing in a transparent business enabling environment are often not available for micro-, small-, and medium- sized enterprises. Citizen security is an increasing concern as particularly young men and adolescents engage in illicit activities, unable to connect with community services or gainful employment.
At the crossroads between the crisis in Venezuela and Haiti, the Eastern and Southern Caribbean stands as the third border of the United States, a key partner for stability and security, and a vibrant region at the forefront of building climate resilience. USAID directs regional programming in 11 countries, ten of which are in the immediate region: Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, and Trinidad and Tobago. In April 2020, USAID/ESC was conferred programmatic oversight of The Bahamas, given USAID’s role in disaster preparedness and response programming.
