USAID [to 16 February 2014]
http://www.usaid.gov/

USAID Highlights Progress on Wildlife Trafficking Crisis
February 13, 2014
This week, U.S. Agency for International Development Assistant Administrator Eric Postel will represent USAID at the London Conference on Illegal Wildlife Trade, which brings together more than 35 heads of state, foreign ministers, and other high-level government officials to bring global attention to the crisis of wildlife trafficking and discuss solutions for combating this pernicious illegal trade.

USAID awards contract to support countries in transition
February 12, 2014
Yesterday, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)  awarded the Support Which Implements Fast Transitions IV (SWIFT) indefinite quantity contract. SWIFT is a five-year agreement with a potential of up to $2.5 billion. The contract will help advance peace and democracy in countries that are in transition. This is the fourth iteration of the SWIFT contract.

Through SWIFT, USAID is able to provide fast, short-term assistance to countries.  The program focuses on political transition and stabilization needs. Partners rapidly deploy initial start-up teams to countries in order to set up offices; hire local staff; develop, award, and administer small grants, primarily to local groups based on USAID guidance; and implement other activities to meet critical short-term needs in political and/or post-conflict transitions.

The nine SWIFT partners, which are all U.S. based companies, are: AECOM, Casals and Associates, Chemonics International, Creative Associates International, DAI, International Relief and Development (IRD), International Resources Group (IRG)/Engility, Management Systems International (MSI), and RTI International.

“SWIFT partners are critical to the success of USAID’s programs in transitioning countries. They are expected to overcome significant challenges posed by conflict affected areas or otherwise unstable transition countries where USAID’s operates,” said Nealin Parker, Acting Director of USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives.

SWIFT supports a hands-on management and monitoring structure where USAID has daily oversight with implementing partners. Since it’s creation in 1994, SWIFT has helped USAID implement 25,000 activities in 40 countries worldwide