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	USAID Information: USAID Country Page More Stories From Dominican Republic FY 2006 Congressional Budget Justification Mission Web Site Selected Reports from the USAID Document Database External Links: U.S. State Department CIA World Factbook United Nations Development Programme (Spanish) World Bank Group
	Local Leaders: Democracy's Frontline [PDF 31K] Bird Watchers flocking to Guyana as a result of USAID Guyana's birding program [PDF, 512K] USAID's Strategy for Promoting Democracy and Building Markets in Latin America [PDF, 31 KB] Assessing the State of Democracy in the Hemisphere; Council of the Americas, Washington, D.C. [PDF, 33 KB]
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Dominican Republic: USAID Program Profile

Economic Growth: USAID is improving the country’s ability to compete in global markets and to increase economic opportunities for all Dominicans, especially the poor. This is being achieved by improving the conditions for a more competitive Dominican economy through technical assistance for policy reform, trade capacity building, rural electrification and regional competitiveness (or cluster) initiatives so that entrepreneurs, small businesses and their communities improve productivity and competitiveness in global markets. In addition, USAID expands opportunities for the poor by improving the quality of basic education through greater participation of the private sector and the community in local schools. A third component of USAID’s work is safeguarding the environment by increasing public sector capacity for environmental protection and strengthening civil society groups that advocate for environmental protection.

Democracy and Governance: USAID continues to support civil society in the Dominican Republic to improve electoral processes and deepen democracy in the political system. The program is helping a better informed and active citizenry demand more from those elected, by increasing incentives for elected officials to meet their obligations and assisting the Dominican people to evaluate the performance of those elected. USAID assistance is also reinforcing the rule of law, helping reform the justice system, and increasing access to justice while enhancing respect for human rights. A crucial component in support of more accountability is USAID’s technical assistance to both public sector institutions and civil society groups to combat corruption and demand fiscal integrity and responsibility.

Health: This program helps to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and to improve primary health care services. Specifically, USAID is enhancing access to and use of preventive and basic care services for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) and HIV/AIDS in vulnerable, infected and affected groups; helping to achieve sustainable, effective reproductive health and family planning services provided by both public and private sectors; and increasing the use of selected, effective child survival interventions through improved access to quality immunization services and rural community potable water systems. Additionally, USAID’s efforts also work to increase the efficiency and equity of basic health care services at the local level and improve the environment for health policy reform.

Conflict Mitigation: Beginning in FY 2003, USAID has been working on the Dominican-Haitian border to help mitigate the likelihood of violent conflict. By working with local community-based organizations to promote dialogue and cooperative problem solving, USAID’s efforts are improving the quality of life in the border region.

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