Regional Program in Asia
EXAMPLES OF OUR IMPACT
- USAID helped to reduce diagnosis time of avian influenza, H5N1, in poultry from 10 days in 2006 to 4.3 days in 2009, enabling earlier response and reducing human infection.
- USAID funded an MTV EXIT special with anti-human trafficking messaging that was viewed by 3.6 million people.
- USAID worked with project developers and financial institutions to generate $275 million in clean energy investments across Asia, providing 138 megawatts of new carbon-free energy.
USAID/ASIA SITE
www.usaid.gov/rdma/
CONTACTS
Communications Officer
Mai Huang
Athenee Tower, 25th Floor
63 Wireless Road
Lumpini, Patumwan
Bangkok 10330 Thailand
Tel: (66-2) 257-3000
Fax: (66-2) 257-3099
RDMA Desk Officer
Rachel Sayre
Washington, DC
Tel: 202-712-1533
E-mail: rsayre@usaid.gov
USAID support enabled comprehensive duck surveillance for H5N1, highly pathogenic avian influenza, in Burma. Such targeted interventions help to control and contain the virus at its source. Similar programs span Laos, Vietnam, and China. (Photo: FAO)
Overview
USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) was established in Bangkok in 2003 as a platform to support bilateral programs in countries without USAID missions, such as Burma, China, Laos, and Thailand, and to manage regional programs in East, Southeast, and South Asia. RDMA addresses numerous transnational issues, such as human and wildlife trafficking; infectious diseases; climate change, water and sanitation, marine and forest protection, and greenhouse gas emissions reduction; and technical support to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum for economic cooperation and integration. RDMA's approach is to provide regional solutions to address regional problems.
Programs
Economic Growth: Addressing Environmental Issues
Three of the world’s six largest greenhouse gas emitters are in Asia and the region is facing some of the world’s most urgent environmental challenges. Asia is vulnerable to climate change and deforestation, and many countries in the region lack adequate water supply and sanitation services. USAID is sharing innovative policies, practices, and technologies in an effort to conserve forests and coral reefs, increase investments in clean energy, promote legal timber trade, stop wildlife trafficking, and provide safe water and sanitation.
Investing in People: Improving Public Health
Countries in Asia continue to suffer from the scourge of infectious disease, including HIV/AIDS, avian influenza, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB). UNAIDS and the World Health Organization estimate that 4.7 million people were living with HIV in Asia in 2008, including 350,000 who became infected that year. USAID helps countries stop the spread of HIV/AIDS by implementing model programs that target most-at-risk populations. USAID has developed prevention, care, and treatment models in Burma, China, Laos, Papua New Guinea, and Thailand.
USAID helps Asia-Pacific countries address the spread of multi-drug resistant TB and malaria through surveillance, diagnostics improvements, laboratory advances, quality control of medicines, and training of health care workers. With USAID's help, six countries in the region have established a surveillance network to monitor anti-malarial drug resistance. USAID builds on successes in the efforts against avian influenza by strengthening countries' ability to detect and contain of emerging infectious disease—at their source in animal reservoirs—before such pathogens threaten global public health.
Economic Growth
USAID fosters economic integration in a region that encompasses economies at significantly different stages of development. USAID supports ASEAN and APEC in their efforts to enhance trade and economic growth. USAID also strengthens regional competitiveness through supply chain integration, legal reform, good governance efforts, and support for micro-, small-, and medium-sized businesses.
Peace and Security: Preventing Human Trafficking
USAID and the MTV EXIT (End Exploitation and Trafficking) Foundation work together to raise awareness about—and increase prevention of—illegal human trafficking and exploitation across Asia. This public-private partnership harnesses the power of Asian musicians and celebrities through on-air, online, and on-the-ground actions designed to reach young adults who may become victims or otherwise be drawn into the trafficking chain. The MTV EXIT campaign has organized 26 concerts across Asia and Europe, featuring top national and international artists who volunteer to bring the anti-trafficking message to urban and rural areas where youth are most at risk. These live events draw on support of the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, and local governments.
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