USAID, QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM), and the Region of Anosy join to fight poverty, environmental degradation and poor health conditions in southern Madagascar

ANTANANARIVO - On May 10, 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Regional Government of Anosy, the United States Government through USAID, and QIT Madagascar Minerals (QMM) to address some of the root causes of poverty, environmental degradation and poor health conditions in the Anosy region. The collaboration, known as a Global Development Alliance (GDA), will also promote private sector investments that are environmentally friendly, socially fair and economically sustainable.

The collaboration among the USAID, QMM, and the Regional Government will benefit all parties working in the Anosy area. The agreement helps fulfill QMM's commitment to social and environmental responsibility. QMM, a Malagasy subsidiary of the mining company Rio Tinto, has the objective of mining the ilmenite mineral deposit near Fort Dauphin in Anosy in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. USAID, with the generous support from the American people supports the achievement of community-based natural resources management, economic growth and improved health services as mechanisms that will lead to reduced poverty, better management of Madagascar's unique natural resources, and improvements in the health of the Malagasy people. The Regional Government of Anosy is committed to fostering productive partnerships among actors in the region to support objectives outlined in the Regional Development Plan.

The agreement outlines joint efforts by USAID, QMM, and the Regional Government to undertake a program that is referred to as the "Anosy Development Alliance". The program is expected to provide up to $6,000,000 in support to regional development over a period of three years. This investment will contribute directly to the achievement of priorities outlined in the Regional Development Plan, and activities will be coordinated and monitored by Regional Government representatives.

The program in Anosy will build a bridge between economic growth, natural resources conservation and management, and health initiatives and will support: (1) development of the economic sector, (2) natural resource management and conservation, (3) health promotion and improvement, and (4) development of regional education opportunities.