The U.S. Agency for International Development is continuing to look at measures to improve the diversity in its supply chain, agency officials told business partners during USAID’s business call for the third quarter of 2021.
The agency tries to support new partners and voices in aid programs by including some opportunities that restrict applications to only small businesses or businesses owned by women, veterans with disabilities, and other disadvantaged groups, as well as by increasing localized service delivery. But Erin Brown, interim coordinator for diversity, equity, and inclusion at USAID, said there is more to be done.
“Given the increasingly dynamic nature and the complexity of foreign assistance, it is important that USAID reflect the American public that it represents, that we include diverse people and perspectives at the table, and that we address long-standing imbalances of power that define those who receive aid and those who deliver it,” she told USAID’s business partners.