Overview

The United States provides approximately 0.6 per cent of its annual budget for Official Development Assistance (ODA) throughout the world. Each year the U.S .Congress drafts laws, to direct funds to specific development priorities. Other important players in the process for determining the levels of aid throughout the world include the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (for food assistance) and, of course, the U.S. Agency for International Development.

West Bank & Gaza Program Budget (1993-2004)

USAID funding for the West Bank and Gaza between 1993 and 2004 totaled approximately $1.3 billion.

Following the signing of the Oslo Accord in September 1993, the U.S. government provided $375 million between 1993 and 1998 through USAID to implement a development program in the West Bank and Gaza.

In 1999, USAID West Bank & Gaza's budget was $75 million. In 2000 its level increased to $85 million. In 2000, the Congress approved an additional $400 million to add to the USAID West Bank and Gaza program to facilitate implementation of the Wye River Accords.

In 2001, USAID West Bank/Gaza's program budget remained at $85 million. In 2002 and 2003, USAID received $75 million from Congress for its program. In addition, in May of 2003, the Congress approved an additional $50 Million of supplemental funds. These funds went directly toward improving Palestinian lives: rebuilding infrastructure, creating jobs, and reinvigorating the Palestinian economy.

Since October 2000, more than $200 million of the above amount has been directed toward emergency and humanitarian assistance, which includes providing immediate aid in the areas of water, health, food, and employment, and for the repair of basic municipal infrastructure.

Using the Palestinian Authority Ministry of Planning comparative data, the U.S. is the largest bilateral donor in the West Bank and Gaza.

Program Budget by Strategic Area

($ in thousands)