Welcome !

	Malagasy girl chopping coconut Photo Credit:Aaron Brownell, USAID/Madagascar

It is a pleasure to share the highlights of the USAID/Madagascar program with you. The U.S. Government, through USAID, is Madagascar 's second largest bilateral donor. The United States assistance program to Madagascar was first established in 1962. From 1995 to 2003, USAID provided over $257 million in bilateral assistance to Madagascar . During the past decade, USAID has been a leading actor in protecting Madagascar 's unique biodiversity, improving the health of families and communities, promoting democracy, and increasing opportunities for economic growth in the country.

USAID is working closely with the Government of Madagascar and other international donors to help ensure the success of the country's socioeconomic development efforts. Under the leadership of President Marc Ravalomanana, Madagascar is making significant progress in consolidating democracy, developing the economy along free-market lines, combating corruption and trafficking in persons, fighting HIV/AIDS, and protecting the environment. Donors agree that Madagascar now has its best chance in a generation to institute political accountability, liberalize the economy and achieve poverty reduction targets. As a result of its demonstrated commitment to the principles of investing in people, ruling justly, and economic freedom, Madagascar was selected as a Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) eligible country in March 2004. During the same year, Madagascar also reached its completion point under the Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative, thereby triggering substantial debt relief.

This website offers information about Madagascar, the country's development challenges, and the USAID programs that are fighting these challenges. This site is designed to allow you to navigate to find an overview of our strategy, our program areas, our development partners and much more. There is a Newsroom to provide current information on our activities and accomplishments. There is also a section on Working with Us which will allow the public to obtain current information on employment, business and grant opportunities. We are always looking for ways to improve this site and value our visitors' input. If you have any suggestions or comments, please contact us.

Thank you for visiting USAID/Madagascar.

Henderson M. Patrick, USAID/Madagascar Mission Director (Biography)