Our Mission: To save lives, alleviate human suffering, and reduce the impact of disasters by helping people in need become more resilient to humanitarian crises.

USAID’s Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance is the U.S. government lead for international disaster assistance, reaching tens of millions of people around the world each year with life-saving aid.

On average, we respond to 75 crises in more than 65 countries each year, providing food, water, shelter, health care, and other critical aid to people who need it most. We work to ensure that this assistance reaches people affected by natural disasters—including hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes—as well as slow-onset crises, such as drought and conflict. Take a look at where we work.

Not only do we save lives, we look to improve the lives of those vulnerable to or affected by crisis, unconditionally and impartially, so that all whom we serve are treated with dignity and respect. Read more about our early recovery, risk reduction, and resilience (ER4) work around the world.