Mission History

U.S. assistance to Madagascar dates back to the early 1960's, consisting mostly of PL480 emergency food aid (Title II), loans and grants. The USAID/Madagascar field office was officially opened in September 1984 to support country policy reform, economic stabilization and rehabilitation efforts underway at the time. Development assistance provided during the four year period of 1984-1988 prioritized investment in the rice sector to increase agricultural production and included a large commodity import program (CIP), PL480 food aid, and capacity building training for the public and private sector.

From 1988 to 1992, the goal of the USAID/Madagascar program was to increase rural incomes and thereby improve household nutrition and the overall quality of life in rural areas. The USAID biodiversity and environmental conservation program (*which continues to the present day) was also initiated during this period with such key partners as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), Missouri Botanical Gardens and Duke University. In 1990, USAID/Madagascar and the World Bank launched the multi-year environmental protection program "EP-1" which was the first phase in the implementation of Madagascar 's Environmental Action Plan. To respond to the high population growth rate and low contraceptive prevalence rate, a multi-year Population Support Program was initiated in 1992.

The goal of the 1993-1998 Country Program Strategic Plan was to stimulate private investment and employment, and balance population growth and natural resource use, with the aim of accelerating broad-based, market-led, sustainable economic growth. The program included four strategic objectives as follows:

• Establish competitive market environment for micro and small firms
• Increase market access for neglected regions
• Reduce natural resource depletion
• Reduce total fertility

The Mission completed a new Country Strategic Plan for FY 1998-2002 in February 1997. The goal of the program was to reduce poverty through the following Program Areas:

• SPO: Improved Environment for Private Initiative
• SO 2: Smaller, Healthier Families
• SO 3: Biologically-Diverse Ecosystems Conserved in Priority Conservation Zones

Post-Cyclone Recovery

During the months of February - April 2000, Cyclones Eline, Gloria, and Hudah struck Madagascar , causing extensive damage and affecting over one third of the entire country. The U.S. Government provided significant resources to respond to the immediate needs of cyclone victims in addition to the Southern Africa Flood Supplemental of $18.1 million for rehabilitation, reconstruction, and disaster mitigation efforts. The country strategy was amended during this period to allow incorporation of cyclone rehabilitation and disaster mitigation activities. The CSP was extended from September 30, 2002 , to September 30, 2003 to allow completion of the cyclone recovery program.

The FY 2003-2008 Integrated Strategic Plan (ISP) was approved in March 2003 with an overall Mission goal of "Sustainable and Inclusive Economic Development." The current Mission goal complements and builds upon previous USAID/Madagascar success in reducing poverty, and aligns well with host country priorities, U.S. foreign policy, and USAID Agency goals. This statement underscores the importance of economic and democratic transformation that involves and benefits all segments of society and is sustainable, both environmentally and in its respect for the aspirations of the Malagasy people. For more information about the current USAID/Madagascar country strategy, please click here.