Launch of champion community grants

Antananarivo - US Ambassador, Niels Marquardt, presided over the launching ceremony of the first round of “Healthy Champion Community” grants totaling $1.5 million to eight local NGOs under USAID’s SantéNet2 health program. More than 60 people attended the event which took place on 10 October.Attendees at this widely covered event included representatives of WHO and UNICEF. The NGO recipients of these grants will help 245 champion communities to plan and implement a series of activities aimed at improving maternal, child and reproductive health. In his remarks, Ambassador Marquardt applauded this and other initiatives which help build a stronger civil society in Madagascar. He also expressed his hopes for the reestablishment of a close relationship between US and the people and Government of Madagascar. The $ 31.79 million five year SantéNet2 health program which began in 2008 is working in 800 communities throughout Madagascar to promote improvements in maternal and child health.

Ambassador Marquardt presents to SALFA Program Manager with the subgrant Management manual