January 19, 2011 www.interaction.

org

Contacts:
Sue Pleming: 202-552-6561 or 202-341-3814 (Cell) or spleming@interaction.org
Tawana Jacobs: 202-552-6534 or 202-297-1696 (Cell) or tjacobs@interaction.org

INTERACTION SUPPORTS USAID BID TO BECOME MORE EFFICIENT

Washington, D.C. (January 19, 2011)— Today, USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah delivered
his State of Development speech in which he emphasized the agency’s transformation
into a “modern development enterprise.”

InterAction is pleased with the agency’s renewed focus on high-impact development

and accountability and supports many of the “USAID Forward” reforms. “We also
welcome Administrator Shah’s commitment to make development a priority in major
foreign policy decisions through his participation in National Security Council
meetings,” said Todd Shelton, InterAction’s senior director of policy.

One aspect of the speech that raised InterAction’s concern was the failure to mention
the partnership between U.S. civil society and USAID, with the exception of several
faith–based organizations that were mentioned by name. “While the Administrator
noted that more American families donated to Haiti than watched the Super Bowl, he
failed to mention that this outpouring of private voluntary contributions was largely
provided through U.S. NGOs,” said Shelton.

Shelton added: “InterAction members are instrumental in the relief and recovery
efforts in Haiti, in local capacity-building efforts in Pakistan, as well as in important
development projects in sub-Saharan Africa and throughout the developing world. We
hope to build on our partnerships with USAID in support of the Administrator’s new
vision for U.S. global development.”

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InterAction is the largest alliance U.S.-based nongovernmental international organizations, with more than
190 members. Our members operate in every developing country, working with local communities to
overcome poverty and suffering by helping to improve their quality of life. Visit www.interaction.org

InterAction | 1400 16th St. NW, Suite 210, Washington D.C. 20036 | 202.667.8227 | ia@interaction.org