USAID [to 22 March 2014]
http://www.usaid.gov/

Press Releases
USAID Announces Water Desalination Prize Competition
Friday, March 21, 2014
Today the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Swedish International Development Agency, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of The Netherlands announced the launch of the Desal Prize for innovations in brackish water desalination.  The Desal Prize is part of the $32 million Securing Water for Food: A Grand Challenge for Development. The U.S. Bureau for Reclamation is providing support in the design and implementation of the prize.

Impact Blog
Meeting Water, Food and Health Needs in Kenya
by Chris Holmes, Global Water Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Administrator on 21st March 2014
On this World Water Day 2014, I am encouraged by how USAID’s water programs around the world contribute to integrated
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Registering for Democracy in Yemen
by Elisabeth Kvitashvili, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Middle East on 20th March 2014
Yemen is poised to launch a high-tech Biometric Voter Registry (BVR) system representing a significant step forward in the development of a credible voter registry in that country.

Improving Agriculture to Help Lift Nigerian Families Out of Poverty
by Alex Thier, Assistant to the Administrator, Bureau for Policy Planning and Learning on 19th March 2014
USAID/Nigeria has been investing in several agriculture activities such as Thai Farms to support local farmers. In fact, Maximizing Agricultural Revenue and Key Enterprises in Targeted Sites (MARKETS II) is the Nigeria Mission’s flagship agriculture activity. This project seeks to connect local farmers to markets, introduce new technology and partnerships, and provide training to farmers to improve production capacity.

Building Skills and Promoting Collaboration among the Middle East and North Africa’s Budding Journalists
by Wafaa El Adawy on 19th March 2014
The success of the democratic transitions underway around the Middle East and North Africa will depend on well-informed voters educated by a professional and objective media.

Experts and Practitioners Discuss Global Trends in Civil Society
by Pamela Nwaoko and Kellie Burk, USAID Africa Bureau on 18th March 2014
USAID relies on local civil society organizations (CSOs) to play important roles in the development and humanitarian efforts that we support worldwide. However, current trends of governments placing restrictions on CSOs are requiring donors to find new and better ways to support civil society in difficult circumstances.

Maintaining Women’s Potential in Yemen
by Elisabeth Kvitashvili, Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Middle East on 18th March 2014