Colombia is a middle-income country and one of the oldest democracies in Latin America. However, it has endured nearly half a century of intense armed conflict, perpetuated by widespread illegal drug production and trafficking.

In November 2011, the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) voted in their second national election since independence. While these elections were critically important, the country—with a population of over 71 million—still faces multiple challenges. Due to the persistent presence of armed groups, ongoing insecurity continues to destabilize eastern DRC. Other challenges include rampant corruption, inadequate infrastructure and human resources, and a limited capacity to raise and manage revenues.

The Dominican Republic is the Caribbean’s largest economy, with an estimated 2014 gross domestic product (GDP) of $64.14 billion.  Despite being a middle income country, more than 40 percent of Dominicans live in poverty, with the wealthiest 10 percent of the population accounting for more than 40 percent of the country’s income.

For almost 40 years, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided development assistance to the Caribbean region and sought to advance: “Safer more prosperous Caribbean Communities.” Despite significant strides made over the years, Eastern and Southern Caribbean countries remain vulnerable to myriad threats that impact the lives and livelihoods of citizens and vulnerable populations.

For nearly four decades, the American people have partnered with the people of Egypt to promote an environment where all groups in Egyptian society – including women and minorities – can lead healthy, productive lives. USAID’s program in Egypt, totaling nearly $30 billion since 1978, has directly and fundamentally supported gains such as a reduction in infant and maternal mortality rates, improvement in reading ability in the early grades, and an increase in marketable skills – leading to jobs and lasting prosperity in Egypt.

Our portfolio in Ethiopia is one of the largest and most complex in Africa.

Over the last decade, Ethiopia has made tremendous development gains in education, health and food security. In 2015, GDP growth was 9.6 percent (World Bank). The addition of 38,000 health extension workers has helped reduce the under-five child mortality rate by more than six percent a year since 2000.

Ghana is a stable, democratic country with a free press, active civil society, independent judiciary and apolitical military. USAID and the Ghanaian Government work together to generate prosperity and security for both the Ghanaian and the American people by increasing agricultural production, employment opportunities, and income for the poor, improving the quality of health services and education, and strengthening local government institutions.

The West African nation of Guinea is predominantly a Muslim country, home to a population of approximately 12 million people, with natural beautiful landscapes on the ocean, close to the mountains, and in the shade of the Guinean forests.  Guinea has the largest reserves of bauxite in the world, and is the second largest producer of the mineral. The agricultural sector provides a subsistence livelihood for nearly 80% of the population.