WASHINGTON, D.C.:  The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will release its new Policy and Program Guidance on Building Resilience to Recurrent Crisis on December 3.  This guidance responds to the fact that chronic poverty and recurring shocks are driving the same communities into crisis year after year, undermining development gains. One year after the worst drought in East Africa in 60 years plunged more than 13 million people into crisis, there is growing international recognition that reducing vulnerability and managing risk in areas of recurrent crisis requires strategically coordinating development and humanitarian assistance. Our new policy guidance reflects how USAID is doing business differently to help vulnerable communities move from cycles of crisis to a pathway toward development.

The policy will be launched at a high-level event hosted by USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, along with critical leadership from the interagency and partner organizations embracing the resilience agenda in the field, including Congress, Bread for the World, Mercy Corps, and Catholic Relief Services.

Members of the press are invited to attend the event and encouraged to RSVP. See details below.