Despite significant development challenges, the Government of Haiti and its people are determined to recover and move forward following periods of political unrest and the effects of natural disasters.
Haiti’s challenges were heightened significantly by the 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck on Jan. 12, 2010, killing more than 230,000 people, displacing more than 1.5 million, and affecting more than 3 million. A cholera epidemic that broke out in October 2010 further challenged the post-earthquake environment.
In Honduras, USAID programs strengthen the participation of marginalized groups in local and national governance; increase food security for the poorest sectors of society; support renewable energy and environmental conservation; expand basic education and skills training for at-risk youth and adults; and improve decentralized health care in terms of quality and access for local citizens and civil society.
The United States and India have been working together for many years. India's emergence as a regional and global power and rapidly growing trade and investment partner creates a chance to transform the traditional donor-recipient model of development into a partnership where the United States and India jointly tackle development challenges in India and globally. USAID’s support for development innovations focuses on health, food security, and clean energy. We are also developing new mechanisms that will allow us the flexibility to identify, support and scale-up innovations that fall outside these sectors.
As the world’s fourth most populous country with abundant but diminishing natural resources, a diverse population fragmented along a volcanic archipelago and 115 million people living on less than $2 a day, Indonesia has a future that is both bright and challenging.
The world’s third largest democracy with the largest Muslim population, Indonesia is a model in modern nation-building. USAID invests in Indonesia’s future: in children and youth, in jobs and income for poor families, in conserving natural resources and sustaining governance reform.
USAID, alongside other U.S. government agencies, works closely with Iraqi national, provincial, and local governments, international institutions, and a network of partners including non-governmental organizations, local community groups, and Iraqi citizens.
USAID has implemented activities designed to strengthen infrastructure, stabilize communities, foster economic and agricultural growth, and help the various levels of government better represent and respond to the needs of the Iraqi people.
Jamaica embarked on its first long-term strategic plan, Vision 2030 Jamaica, in 2009. This National Development Plan is a multi-sectoral approach to making Jamaica the place of choice to live, work, do business, and raise families (Vision 2030 Jamaica). While Jamaica enjoyed significant development progress in its social, economic, and political history, the country is challenged by a persistent fiscal deficit and heavy indebtedness. These challenges are exacerbated by the global economic crisis.
Jordan, a country of 6.5 million people, is a voice for moderation, peace and reform in the Middle East. Its central geographic position – bordered by Iraq, Syria, the West Bank, Israel and Saudi Arabia – brings it into constant contact with regional turbulence that affects its political climate and its economy. Calls for greater freedoms across the Arab world have increased domestic pressure on the Government of Jordan to speed the pace of promised reforms to improve economic conditions, strengthen democratic practices and governance, and reduce public corruption.
Kazakhstan is a strategic U.S. partner in Central Asia. The country is becoming increasingly influential in the region and the world as its economy stabilizes as the result of targeted economic reforms. Nevertheless, Kazakhstan continues to face a number of development challenges, many of which have their roots in the Soviet era.
Key development challenges in Kazakhstan include a regulatory system that impedes business growth; limited media activity and low civic participation in governance; and a costly and ineffective medical system.
Kenya boasts the largest, most diversified economy in East Africa. The country’s role as a transport hub makes it vital for much of sub-Saharan Africa. Improved governance is a priority for USAID, and Kenya's future peace, stability and development depend on it.
USAID's projects in Kosovo focus on economic growth, democracy and governance to help achieve lasting security, prosperity and stability. Improved education, economic opportunities and quality of life increase the confidence of Kosovo Serbs that they have a viable future in Kosovo.
Some of the Agency's efforts in the country include:
With USAID assistance, Kyrgyzstan has made substantial progress in the areas of economic growth, democratic governance, health-care reform, improvement of basic education and agricultural development. However, significant impediments to development remain, including widespread corruption, low foreign investment, high unemployment and endemic poverty.
Laos’ growing regional importance is reflected by its location—bordering China, Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand—its membership in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and its position on the Mekong River.
The largest part of U.S. bilateral assistance to Laos is devoted to improving health. As part of its regional health program, USAID supports activities in Laos to reduce the incidence of infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria and dengue fever; and of pandemic threats like avian influenza.
A small nation of more than 4 million people, Lebanon’s strategic location, the diversity of its citizens, and its entrepreneurial spirit have long made it a center of trade and culture and a bridge between Europe and the Middle East. Since the end of the Civil War in 1990, Lebanon has been working hard, despite continued sectarian strife—and now the crisis in neighboring Syria—to rebuild its physical, social and economic infrastructure.
Lesotho suffers from high infant mortality rates and levels of malnutrition, in addition to having a high prevalence of tuberculosis and an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 23.6 percent in 2009 (UNAIDS 2010). Decreased revenues from the Southern Africa Custom’s Union, due to the recent global economic downturn, have resulted in severe budget constraints for the government. One of the U.S. Government’s top priorities in Lesotho is strengthening democratic institutions prior to the next parliamentary elections, which are expected to be held in early 2012.
Peaceful elections in 2005 and the inauguration of Africa’s first female head of state in 2006 ushered in a period of hope and high expectations for Liberia’s recovery after decades of instability.
The consequences of 14 years of violent conflict constitute huge challenges to the recovery, reform and rebuilding process.
USAID provides assistance to the Libyan people as they strive to build a democratic future. Our programs bolster the administrative capacities of interim governing authorities by providing expertise on governance issues and on the implementation of transitional political processes.
The Agency also strengthens emergent media outlets and civil society organizations, builds linkages between the government and its citizens and supports civic education and reconciliation.
USAID supports Macedonia’s efforts to strengthen democratic practices and institutions, increase economic growth, and improve the quality of education.
USAID has been working for nearly 20 years to help the people of Madagascar accomplish their development goals in the face of ongoing challenges. However, as a result of the March 2009 military coup, the U.S. Government suspended all non-humanitarian assistance and direct assistance to the Government of Madagascar. USAID continues to provide assistance in health and food security through nongovernmental organizations, community associations and other private groups.
Unlike its neighbors, Malawi is not endowed with great mineral wealth or particularly fertile soil. It is landlocked, highly dependent on imports for essential commodities, and struggling to deal with high population growth. USAID’s work in Malawi pre-dates its 1964 independence, when USAID programs concentrated on strengthening English language instruction. Today, USAID's work in Malawi aims to:
The Maldives, an archipelago in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of 26 atolls and over 1,000 islands, is strategically located on major shipping transit routes in the Indian Ocean. Formerly a British protectorate, the Maldives became an independent country in 1965.
Comment
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.