Poverty relief thumb|right|Early reading and literacy programs contribute to long-term development, USAID Nigeria. After 1945, many newly independent countries needed assistance to relieve the chronic deprivation afflicting their low-income populations. USAID and its predecessor agencies have continuously provided poverty relief in many forms, including assistance to public health and education services targeted at the poorest. USAID has also helped manage food aid provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Also, USAID provides funding to NGOs to supplement private donations in relieving chronic poverty.
povERtY reLieF thUmb|rIght|EaRLY REAding anD lITEracy progrAMs contrIbUte to long-TERm dEvelOpmeNt USAId niGerIa afteR 1945 maNy NEwly iNDEPendent cOUnTRieS needed ASsistaNCe tO reLIeve ThE ChroniC deprIVation afflIcting theIr low-inComE PopuLatiOns UsAid aNd ITs pRedEcesSor AGENcieS haVE cOntInuOUsLY prOvided povertY relief iN mANy fOrms IncluDIng aSsiStance to pUbLIc hEaltH And EdUcAtiOn seRviCes TarGetEd at thE pOorest usaid has also HeLped MANaGE fOod AiD pROVideD bY tHe us dEpaRTMEnt oF AgricULTuRe alsO usaid proVIdes FUnding to NGOs to supPlEment prIvATe donaTiOns iN ReLIEviNG cHRoniC PoverTy