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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.
USAID Engagement with Muslim Communities in the Developing World
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 27, 2007
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the principal U.S. Government Agency that extends assistance to countries that are recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and are engaging in democratic reforms. USAID's work supports long-term and equitable economic growth, and advances U.S. foreign policy objectives by supporting:
- Economic growth, agriculture and trade
- Global health
- Democracy, conflict prevention and humanitarian assistance
Among those benefiting from U.S. foreign assistance are Muslims living in regions of the world where USAID is very active and engaged. Select examples of USAID programs around the world include:
Southeast Asia
Indonesia
USAID continues to support the work of Indonesian religious leaders who are working to increase the levels of tolerance, pluralism, gender equity and human rights in their local communities. Under the Islam and Civil Society program, Muslim leaders and Muslim civil society organizations provide media and civic education to universities, Islamic boarding schools and mosques. Just one of their weekly Friday flyers alone has a printing of 34,000 copies and reaches 400 mosques throughout the country. Indonesia, with a population of over 200 million people is both the most populous Muslim-majority nation and the largest Muslim-majority democracy in the world.
Philippines
USAID supports the development of the next generation of leaders from Muslim Mindanao through educational and professional development programs. For example, this year, 28 interns from Mindanao and other conflict-affected areas completed a Congressional Internship Program. In this partnership between USAID, the Philippines House of Representatives, and Mindanao State University, USAID has provided over one hundred recent college graduates of Mindanao with an opportunity to acquire "hands-on" experience in policy formulation and legislation.
South Asia
Bangladesh
USAID works with imams and other opinion leaders to build support for development by taking them around Bangladesh to increase exposure to development issues, such as health, basic education, human trafficking, and local governance. This program promotes the values of tolerance, diversity and social harmony, and understanding in Bangladeshi society. Over the next four years, the program will reach at least 20,000 leaders of influence representing all religious faiths and a variety of secular fields -- including local elected officials, community service club members, professionals, business leaders, journalists and women and youth leaders.
Pakistan
Since its start in 2003 and with a current budget of $72 million, USAID Pakistan's Economic Growth program aims to increase incomes and employment by giving entrepreneurs the tools they need to strengthen their businesses and enter new markets. The program focuses on expanding access to credit, improving the competitiveness of Pakistani Small and Medium Enterprises, improving agricultural practices and catalyzing development in science & technology and energy. Through the Enterprise Development Facility program, USAID is working to cater to the needs of entrepreneurs who have outgrown traditional microfinance institutions but cannot access commercial banks. As a result, to date, to more than 3,500 loans have been disbursed in three provinces totaling $3.9 million. Of these loans, over 1,000 were given to women-owned businesses, with a 100% recovery rate.
Afghanistan
USAID has made significant contributions in women's access to medical care since the Taliban fell five years ago. The result has been a marked decrease in Afghanistan's infant mortality rates - 40,000 fewer infant deaths a year. USAID has contributed to this success by training over 7,800 health workers including doctors, midwives and nurses, a major intervention in reducing infant and maternal mortality. The healthcare field offers Afghan women an economic opportunity in a career that improves their family security, raises their status and meets a critical national need.
Sri Lanka
USAID is improving livelihoods of conflict-affected populations, mostly Muslims and Tamils, in the North and East areas of Sri Lanka. At the national level, USAID is supporting the local institutions responsible for negotiating a resolution of the conflict.
Middle East and North Africa
Iraq
USAID's Community Action Program (CAP) promotes grassroots democracy and better local governance by empowering citizens in designing projects. Working directly through community groups and in consultation with local government counterparts, CAP is continuing to increase community representation and participation. The process builds the capacity of citizen groups to become effective participants in local development.
West Bank and Gaza
USAID, through contributions to the World Food Program, provided over $35 million in food assistance in 2006. The 47,000 metric tons of essential food commodities that were distributed met the needs of 300,000 Palestinians in just a 10 month period.
Lebanon
USAID's reconstruction effort in Lebanon will provide more than $43 million to clean-up the Jiyyeh coastal oil spill, provide start-up funding for a housing guarantee program, improve schools throughout the country and reconstruct one of the tallest bridges in the Middle East.
Egypt
USAID was instrumental in the start up of "Alam Simsim," the Egyptian "Sesame Street." The program introduces millions of Egyptian youth to early literacy and the use of numbers, as well as to the concept of tolerance. More than 85% of children under age eight are regular viewers.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Somalia
USAID urban and rural water rehabilitation programs are providing increased and sustainable access to water services for over 250,000 persons in critical regions of Somalia, particularly for the urban and rural poor and other disadvantaged groups. Access to safe water contributes to improved household hygiene and better sanitation, leading to improved levels of health in the community. USAID is the largest humanitarian donor to Somalia, and has provided $500 million to the country since 1991.
Nigeria
USAID works with public primary schools in the northern region, which teach the core Koranic curriculum as well as math, English and social science. New programs this year will train 9,000 teachers, repair 750 classrooms and strengthen 1,500 parent-teacher associations and religious groups to identify and resolve the most pressing constraints to quality and equitable basic education in their communities.
Sudan
USAID supports vocational skills training for women in Darfur who have been displaced from their homes to camps, and who are especially vulnerable to attacks. Vocational training, such as sewing classes, gives these women the skills to earn income as seamstresses and allows families to purchase firewood in local markets. Training has also been given to young men to produce traditional leather shoes to sell in local markets. Since 2005, the USG has provided over $2 billion dollars in humanitarian, reconstruction and peacekeeping assistance in Sudan.
Europe and Eurasia
Tajikistan
The Alternatives to Conflict (ACT) program in Tajikistan reduces social conflict by creating opportunities for at-risk youth to channel their energies into productive endeavors. Religious leaders play a key role in the program, serving on Advisory Councils, participating in discussion groups, and explaining program activities. USAID also brings in local religious leaders in the effort to combat human trafficking through training initiatives.
Kosovo
USAID's Media Assistance Program is part of an effort to expand access to media and give greater voice to Kosovo's population, which is majority Muslim. USAID supports broadcast media and constructed the Kosovo Terrestrial Telecommunications Network, a platform through which radio and television broadcasts can now be transmitted to more than 90% of Kosovo's population. Today, Kosovo has two private, national television stations and dozens of local television and radio outlets.
Albania
USAID established the Albanian Partners in Microcredit (PSHM), an Albanian non-governmental organization, to help micro and small entrepreneurs in developing their business through credit and business consulting. This program provides assistance to low income families, of which a majority are Muslim, and creates job opportunities for women and youth.
For more information on USAID's programs, visit the web-site at www.usaid.gov.
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