A strategy for a more effective bilateral development assistance program : an A.I.D. policy paper

bilateral development assistance. Strategy enunciated in revised paper does not imply a change in approach, but an evolution, reflecting subsequent Administration and Congressional initiatives -- in particular, the Humphrey foreign assistance bill. The revised strategy aims at effectively supporting developing country efforts (with priority given first to low-income LDC"s -- those with per capita income less than $550 -- then to middle-income countries) to satisfy, through sustained and equitable economic growth, the basic needs of their populations. Emphasis is to be placed on increasing individual income of women and poor through greater productivity and expansion of employment opportunity, and on increasing the availability of, and access to, goods and services required to meet basic human needs. Implementation of the strategy assumes effective popular participation by the poor and women to ensure enhancement of political and civil rights as well as economic right. While focusing on AID project and PL 480 assistance, the paper also notes that security assistance should adhere to the new directions objectives to the greatest extent possible. The paper sets forth an outline of programs for five major areas of focus: agriculture, nutrition and rural development; PL 480 food aid; population; health; and education and human resources. Finally, the paper addresses five supplemental assistance areas that are essential over the long term to raising the standards of living of the poor: urban development; shelter; energy; environment and natural resources; and science and technology.