USAID Fact Sheet: Summary of USAID Programs in Central America & Mexico

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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

Summary of USAID Programs in Central America & Mexico

U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT
FACT SHEET

WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov
(202) 712-4320

2002-026

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 12, 2002

FY 2002 El Salvador Guatemala Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama C.A. Regional TOTAL

Total in US$ Millions $121.5* $53.5 $33.1 $22.4 $33.9 $8.5 $12.9 $ 285.8

*Includes funds for earthquake reconstruction.

USAID supports bilateral programs in El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama and a regional Central American program based in Guatemala City. Non-presence activities are carried out in Belize and Costa Rica. With an annual population growth rate of 2.6 percent, the region's 37 million inhabitants require higher economic growth - accompanied by adequate investment in the human and natural resources - to promote sustainable development. Approximately half of all Central Americans live in rural areas and two-thirds below the poverty line.

For the last decade, USAID played a leading role in the establishment and strengthening of democratically-elected civilian governments that brought an end to the civil wars that convulsed the region. During the 1990s, USAID strove to consolidate peace, to modernize government institutions, to promote judicial reform and strengthen the electoral institutions in the region. USAID's timely and highly successful responses to Hurricane Mitch (1998), El Salvadoran earthquakes (2001), and the lingering drought underscore the importance of continued disaster prevention and mitigation programs in the region. President Bush's new Opportunity Alliance for Central America and Mexico beginning in 2002 will engage the U.S. private sector and international financial institutions in strategic partnerships to strengthen the competitiveness of the region's rural economies, generate new business and investment, and build trade capacity within the region. USAID's bilateral and regional program highlights follow:

El Salvador. USAID supports the peace process and policies that reduce rural poverty and modernize the public sector. USAID works to increase government transparency, implement a new criminal code, increase rural access to the judicial system, and establish a new national registry system. USAID is also helping to improve water and sanitation facilities, the functioning of the health system, and protection of three major watersheds. USAID is reconstructing housing destroyed by two severe earthquakes in 2001.

Guatemala. USAID assistance to Guatemala supports the implementation of the Peace Accords, strengthens fragile democratic institutions, and promotes justice-sector reform and respect for human rights. USAID is also helping to increase income opportunities and access to education and health services for the rural poor, while encouraging sound environmental management. In December 2001, USAID completed a two-year, $28 million Hurricane Mitch reconstruction program.

Honduras. USAID supports reform of economic policies and small- and micro-enterprise development. The program also helps increase water resources, improves health and reproductive services, and provides emergency food assistance. USAID supports increased access to quality basic education for children and out-of-school youth and adults. Programs help improve the governments' response to citizens needs and increase coverage of basic services. Hurricane Mitch reconstruction activities totaling $293.1 million support economic reactivation.

Mexico. USAID supports conservation of critical ecosystems, promotes environmental and energy conservation businesses, and helps improve natural resources and land-use methodologies. The program helps strengthen municipal governments and national legislatures, supports judicial reform and training, and assists in combating financial and administrative corruption. USAID also supports HIV/AIDS prevention programs and improved technologies for TB, higher-education partnerships with the private sector, and helps the micro-enterprise sector.

Nicaragua. USAID focuses on strengthening democracy, promoting economic growth, and improving health and education. The program helps strengthen the rule of law and citizen participation in public decision-making, increasing jobs and income, and improving access to health services and basic education. USAID added a two-year, $103.6 million program for rapid reconstruction in 1999 in response to Hurricane Mitch. An additional $10.5 million, annually, in food aid promotes maternal child health activities and income-generation projects.

Panama. USAID supports effective protection and management of the Panama Canal Watershed, strengthens government and non-governmental organizations responsible for protection of the watershed, supports co-management of parks and protected areas, develops eco-tourism opportunities, and improves liquid and solid waste disposal, and helps improve the criminal and commercial court systems through training for prosecutors and judges.

Central America Regional Program. USAID supports regional trade, environment, and HIV/AIDS programs. Under the new Opportunity Alliance, USAID will strengthen Central America-Mexico collaboration in areas of trade, agriculture diversification, environmental management, disaster mitigation, and poverty reduction.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.

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Last Updated on: December 30, 2008