Foreign Operations Assistance: Russia

United States Department of State
Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe and Eurasia
Foreign Operations Assistance Fact Sheet, April 2012*

RUSSIA

United States government (USG) assistance to Russia aims to limit the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), narcotics and transnational crime; support a resilient civil society and responsible, accountable and democratic governance; advance rule of law and human rights; improve social and health conditions; increase capacity to address global development and regional humanitarian challenges; and reduce instability in the North Caucasus.

Recent Successes by Areas of Focus:

Peace & Security

• USG programs provided opportunities for scientists to engage in civilian research and technology commercialization, giving priority to former weapon researchers and scientists with WMD-applicable capabilities; 40 U.S.-funded grants along with $300 million from Russian partners enabled collaboration between U.S. and Russian teams.
• In addition to providing high-level expert exchanges and seminars in five cities on export controls, USG programs trained 23 customs and border control officers in radiation detection and 12 officers in detection and safe handling of hazardous materials.
• USG anti-money laundering efforts in Russia led to improved cooperation and capacity by Russian investigators in financial and narcotics crimes.
• By strengthening government and civic institutions, increasing economic opportunities, and raising awareness about rights and methods of legal redress, U.S. assistance increased stability and reduced the appeal of extremist ideologies in the North Caucasus.

Governing Justly and Democratically

• BY OBJECTIVE	FY 2011 ACTUAL	FY 2012 653(a)	FY 2013 REQUEST
  TOTAL ($000s)	$66,138	$63,935	$51,961
  Peace and Security	$9,657	$9,784	$8,902
  Governing Justly and Democratically	$37,243	$34,561	$31,809
  Investing in People	$18,588	$18,890	$10,750
  Economic Growth	$650	$700	$500

  U.S. assistance increased the number of direct partnerships between American and Russian NGOs; improved networking between citizens, peer communities and international counterparts; increased the use of information and communication technologies; promoted improved accountability; combated corruption; and increased support for fundamental freedoms.
• U.S. programs supported the participation of 1.5 million people in 21 nationwide events to build public trust in NGOs; established 12 partnerships between Russian media organizations and their U.S. and European peers; provided over 13,000 legal consultations and initiated over 800 court cases on behalf of citizens seeking redress of human rights violations; supported the creation of an online map recording thousands of citizen reports of election violations; and contributed to the development of legislation and strategies increasing local government accountability.

Investing in People

• BY ACCOUNT	FY 2011 ACTUAL	FY 2012 653(a)	FY 2013 REQUEST
  TOTAL ($000s)	$66,138	$63,935	$51,961
  Assistance for Europe, Eurasia and Central Asia	$54,350	$52,335	$0
  Economic Support Fund	$0	$0	$36,229
  Global Health Programs - State	$2,300	$1,300	$0
  Global Health Programs - USAID	$8,488	$9,500	$10,750
  International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement	$0	$0	$4,182
  Nonproliferation, Antiterrorism, Demining and Related Programs	$1,000	$800	$800

  USG activities introduced innovative health approaches, encouraged replication of best practices, and strengthened civil society capacities to provide social services. Progress was achieved in providing outreach to people most at risk for HIV, improving TB treatment rates, reducing abortion rates, improving primary care standards, increasing municipal funding for health care, and decreasing the number of abandoned and vulnerable children.
• FY 2011 results included a new U.S.-Russia Protocol of Intent for Global Eradication of Polio; modern TB control systems implemented in sixteen Russian regions; 6,000 intravenous drug users reached by HIV prevention activities; services provided to 95,000 people living with HIV/AIDS and their families; maternal and child health (MCH) reforms institutionalized in two federal districts and over 20 regions; over 5,700 health care providers trained in evidence-based MCH clinical guidelines; over 650,000 MCH counseling visits conducted at project sites; and a package of 25 services to prevent child abandonment approved by the GOR and distributed to all regions.

Economic Growth

• Results from FY 2011 programs included improved microfinance access for some of the poorest rural populations, with nearly 700 loans totaling over $8 million; three Cisco Entrepreneur Institutes established providing youth with cutting-edge business education; three additional youth centers established providing a wide variety of in-demand courses; 29 small businesses started by young entrepreneurs with grant assistance.

Humanitarian Assistance

• In the context of Russia’s recent reemergence as a provider of international development assistance, U.S. activities increased U.S.-Russia collaboration in addressing global development and humanitarian challenges, particularly in the areas of emergency response, sustainable forest management, climate change, and health. In the process, U.S. efforts promoted Russia’s adherence to internationally recognized best practices for development assistance.
• Recent U.S.-Russia activities monitored polio immunization in Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan; jointly donated 180 wheelchairs for children in Kyrgyzstan; and jointly developed work plans and strategies in other of collaboration areas.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
U.S. Embassy Website
www.foreignassistance.gov

*This fact sheet does not reflect Peace Corps funding or centrally managed or regional Foreign Operations funding that is not specifically budgeted for Russia.