The below is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Shejal Pulivarti:
From May 20-27, Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen visited Senegal and Benin, where she met with national and local government officials, women leaders, civil society, private sector partners, and USAID Mission staff. During her visit, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen celebrated achievements to date, met changemakers, and highlighted U.S. government partnerships in the region.
While in Senegal, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen met with a local nonprofit organization working to improve education quality and outcomes across the country through local language instruction. She also met women with disabilities and learned their stories, including how they increased their incomes while working with USAID. Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Diaspora, Mrs. Aïssata Tall Sall, to discuss the U.S.-Senegal relationship and communicate the U.S.’s commitment to supporting democracy in Senegal.
The Deputy Administrator celebrated the signing of a new four-year, $31 million Government to Government agreement with Mr. Amadou Moustapha Ba, Senegal’s Minister of Finance and Budget. USAID’s support will fund district and regional health teams to deliver high-quality services to reduce malaria mortality and morbidity in Senegal, and make real gains in the health of mothers and children.
In Benin, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen participated in a community-level education session on malaria prevention and treatment; met with various local partners to discuss the path of local Beninese organizations to working directly with USAID; participated in a community level HIV awareness-raising and prevention session hosted by the Abomey-Calavi Mayor’s Office; observed research at the Cotonou’s Entomological Research Center (CREC), part of the National Malaria Control Program (NMCP); met with the Executive Bureau of the Benin Human Rights Commission (BHRC) to discuss how USAID contributed to building up the Commission from its early days in 2019 to meet international standards as the national human rights commission; and explored opportunities for USAID to effectively leverage synergies with the private sector to reach shared development goals.
In both countries, Deputy Administrator Adams-Allen met with USAID staff to discuss the Agency's ambitious reform agenda, which includes initiatives such as operationalizing localization of assistance, reducing administrative burdens, and strengthening the workforce. She expressed her appreciation for the staff’s hard work in delivering on USAID's mission.