Peace and Security

Peace and security are linked to all aspects of development work including strengthening the legitimacy, inclusiveness, and effectiveness of governing institutions and community cohesion and resilience

 Kenyan youth marching to elevate community cohesion networks before general elections in March 2013.

An estimated 80 percent of countries where USAID provides assistance are at risk of a security, political, economic, or humanitarian crisis. Preventing, mitigating, and adapting to the realities of armed conflict and violence is a development priority. Prevention represents a central tenet of critical policy initiatives, including the U.S. Strategy to Prevent Conflict and Promote Stability(link is external), the Women, Peace & Security Act, and the Elie Wiesel Genocide and Atrocities Prevention Act.

Conflict prevention addresses root causes of violence and fosters social cohesion. Activities transform conflict and violence dynamics by influencing individual and community beliefs, attitudes and behaviors and by strengthening local systems for resilience. Peace and security programming covers a range of issues, such as conflict prevention, violence prevention, Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), atrocity prevention, climate and environmental security, among others.