Regional Programs in the Middle East and North Africa
SNAPSHOT
Population: 305.4 million
Annual income per person: $2,241
Source: World Bank Development Indicators 2005
CONTACT Information
Office Director
David Barth
1/A Ahmed Kamel off El-Laselki
New Maadi, Cairo, Egypt
Tel: 20-2-522-6846
Desk Officer
Jennifer Ragland
Tel: (202) 712-4843
Email: jragland@usaid.gov
Jordanian youth participate in one of
several regional trainings designed to
help youth leaders expand their
efforts to serve their communities.
One Jordanian participant,
Mohammed El Nabolsi, teaches
drama to children with special needs.
His work gives children new skills and
encourages positive attitudes towards
children with special needs.
Mohammed said, “I’ll never forget
when a mother came to me after her
son shared in a performance and told
me, ‘I want to thank you because you
have made my husband love his
son.’” (photo: Save the Children)
Overview
The United States has long supported a prosperous, stable and democratic Middle East and North Africa. The government of the United States is committed to helping develop a region at peace, actively participating in the free exchange of ideas, goods and services.
USAID has worked with the governments and people of individual countries in the Middle East and North Africa for years. However, it is clear that many development challenges facing the region require regional solutions. In order to develop and carry out regional programs, USAID has created the Office of Middle East Programs, located in Cairo, Egypt. It leads USAID’s regional activities to invest in youth, promote good governance and launch a Blue Revolution in the water sector. Most of these regional programs use partnerships with businesses and local civic organizations to tap into additional expertise and resources.
Programs
Peace and Security
The Middle East and North Africa faces a demographic explosion. More than half of the region’s population is under the age of twenty four, and more than one in four young people is unemployed. This massive youth bulge places enormous stress on resources and exacerbates tensions between those from different backgrounds. Young people cynical about their future are more likely to sympathize with extremist elements. They deserve a better chance for success in life, including a good education, positive role models, practical skills and opportunities. USAID invests in the region’s youth with scholarships, media and leadership resources. Peace Scholarships will bring promising young leaders to the United States for undergraduate level training and participate in short-term technical training and leadership programs. Every participant will take part in an “Experience America” program to become familiar with American values. Upon return home, participants will receive on-going support and training through a social and professional regional network.
Taking advantage of the power of satellite broadcasting, USAID will create compelling educational television series to reach young people across the region. Delivering educational messages via media has long been popular in the health field, where soap operas have lowered maternal deaths and improved children’s health. These new programs, developed by Arabs, for Arabs, are designed to build tolerance, promote critical thinking and counter extremist messages of intolerance and hate.
Talented young leaders must be nurtured and encouraged. In partnership with local organizations, USAID supports training, activities and networks that develop the potential of promising young men and women to contribute to their communities. The initial focus is on Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, West Bank and Gaza, and Yemen.
Governing Justly and Democratically
Corruption diverts resources from social services and development. An estimated $1 trillion is lost globally each year through bribes alone. This loss translates into poor schools, inadequate or absent health care and unsafe infrastructure, food and water. Corruption also drains the credibility and legitimacy of governments and political leadership. In the absence of government legitimacy, terrorist organizations can exploit public frustration and disillusionment.
There are a number of indigenous institutions and initiatives in the region to fight the scourge of corruption. USAID will help build their capacity to address money laundering and other trans-national aspects of corruption. This work will be in addition to current partnerships with individual countries to develop the attitudes, systems and skills that help stem the diversion of public funds through corruption.
Investing In People
In the Middle East and North Africa, water is used faster than it can be replenished. Host to five percent of the world’s population, the region has only one percent of the world’s renewable fresh water. Agriculture, which is vital to regional economies, consumes 80 percent of that water. An exploding population and rapidly growing cities add to the demand. As people consume the trans-boundary waters flowing above and below ground, conflict over water becomes inevitable.
To address the potential for conflict over water, USAID has launched a Blue Revolution. It will mitigate tensions over the management of shared water resources; strengthen environmental protections; and improve access to safe water and basic sanitation. The program will emphasize conservation, demand management, re-use, public education and the building of regional institutions. One aspect of work with institutions will be sharing best practices on water management. An initial focus could be on the Tigris and Euphrates watershed, which affects Turkey, Syria, Iran and Iraq.
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