Context
As part of the U.S. government Global Water Strategy 2022- 2027 and aligned with the requirements in the Water For The World Act Of 2014, USAID annually designates a list of High-Priority Countries (HPCs) where the needs and the opportunity to maximize impact and sustainability are greatest. HPCs are the primary recipients of U.S. government official water and sanitation development assistance.
High-Priority Countries
Following a rigorous analytical process, USAID has designated 22 High-Priority Countries where the needs and potential to maximize impact are greatest.
Profiles and plans for High-Priority Countries
USAID developed High-Priority Country plans that outline how it will achieve Global Water Strategy targets in each of the 22 priority countries. These plans represent a coordinated approach to address water and sanitation, align with host-country priorities, and complement programs by other U.S. government agencies. Find the plans and associated country profile page below.
Country Profile
High Priority Country Plan
WASH NEEDS INDEX
These High-Priority Countries are identified in part by calculating a WASH Needs Index Score. Explore the WASH Needs Index and read more about the designation process in Annex B of the Global Water Strategy.
WASH ATLAS
Launched in 2024, the WASH Atlas has water and sanitation maps that reveal access rates at a resolution of detail previously unavailable. With the ability to zoom down to a 5 kilometer by 5 kilometer area, the tool allows users to view WASH access details at the town or even neighborhood level — a huge leap from what has been previously available, and a development with exciting and far-reaching implications for WASH decision-makers everywhere. Read more about the launch.
Currently, there are nine WASH maps available (Ethiopia, Haiti, Liberia, Madagascar, Mali, Nigeria, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia). USAID plans to release additional maps aligned with the High-Priority Countries. Decision-makers can use these maps to find where these people live to inform new investments and program design, or adapt or pivot current WASH programming to make those interventions even more impactful. Read more how to use the tool.
Strategic Priority Countries
Strategic Priority Countries are countries where USAID anticipates funding water and sanitation programs due to a combination of strategic considerations and water-related development needs. USAID has classified three strategic-priority countries and regions, given a combination of national security considerations and development needs.
*The inclusion of West Bank/Gaza as a "Strategic Priority Country" is as a geographic area in reference to USAID programming to support the Palestinian people, and is not intended to convey a position on sovereign status.
In addition to priority countries, USAID addresses water and sanitation needs and opportunities in other countries through development assistance programs aligned with the Congressional Water Directive and the Agency’s strategic objectives. See the full list of countries with USAID water activities.