Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance

The mission of the Bureau for Democracy, Conflict and Humanitarian Assistance (DCHA) is to save lives; alleviate suffering; support democracy; and promote opportunities for people adversely affected by poverty, conflict, natural disasters and a breakdown of good governance. The Bureau has taken a number of steps to better integrate and situate its diverse mission in a changing world. Together with the U.S. Department of State, USAID developed the Joint State/USAID Strategic Plan focusing activities around strategic goals relating to the National Security Strategy. These goals most prominently feature: democracy and governance, regional stability and humanitarian assistance. They focus the Bureau conjointly with the Department of State on the challenges most representative of the 21st Century. Additionally, the Bureau has established the DCHA Management Council as a decision-making group that has the responsibility to develop a strategic approach to DCHA programs.