Agency for International Development and the Govern-ment of Madagascar signed three amendments to bilateral grant agreements.

ANTANANARIVO - On September 20, through an exchange of signatures, the United States Govern-ment, acting through the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Government of Madagascar signed three amendments to bilateral grant agreements, increasing the funding for existing programs by a total amount of $18,008,909 (Ariary 192.6 billion). This amount complements the $1,400,000 signed on January 26, 2006 for the health program. Funding will continue to support the Government of Madagascar's programs in health, environment and rural development, good governance and education. The documents were signed by the USAID Mission Director and Général de Corps d’Armée Charles Rabemananjara, Minister of Economy, Finance and Budget ad interim.

The funds provided will be used as follows: 

• In the governance area, it will promote and support anti-corruption reforms in the regions;
• In the education area, it will improve the quality of classroom teaching methods at the primary and secondary levels;
• In the health sector, funds will be used to reduce transmission and impact of HIV/AIDS, prevent and control infectious diseases though improved access to effective malaria treatment and insecticide-treated bed nets, provide access to potable water with simple treatment solutions and support to the development of national child health and nutrition policies.
• Fund activities to implement the President Ravalomanana's pledge to triple the country's protected area network; increase private sector growth through technical or financial assistance to eco-enterprises and to small businesses, which invest in natural resource management, and to introduce productive technology, which builds the capacity of producers to trade value-added agricultural and non-agricultural products.

In addition USAID will provide $4,672,000 in field support for Health and Environment sector programs and $14,063,000 in direct food aid and monetization. Direct food aid will help insecure families to maintain nutrition levels. Monetization proceeds will be used to increase their food production and income and to improve health through nutrition education.

Commenting about the signing, USAID Mission Director Henderson Patrick said: “These funds come from the people of the United States, from taxpayers on the farms and in the towns and cities all across our land, and they are being provided to help the lives and the well-being of the people of Madagascar. It makes me proud today to sign these documents on their behalf, and as an expression of the lasting friendship between our two peoples and our two nations.”