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Senegal
FY 2001 Program Description and Activity Data Sheets
>> Regional Overview >> Senegal Overview FY 2001 Program
USAID's 1998-2006 strategy seizes the opportunities created by Senegal's recent macro-economic reforms and passage of the 1996 Decentralization Law. Under Activity 685-001, USAID will increase sustainable private sector income-generating activities. Under Activity 685-002, USAID will foster more effective, democratic, and accountable local management of services and resources. Under Activity 685-003, USAID will increase sustainable use of reproductive health services: child survival, maternal health, family planning, and prevention of sexually transmitted diseases (STD/AIDS). Under Activity 685-008 for Education, USAID will improve access and retention of girls in school. Under the Activity 685-009 for the Casamance, USAID will assist with the reconciliation and recovery in this war-torn area of Senegal. During FY 2000, prime contractors for all three major programs will be competitively selected and operational. Natural resource management activities will continue and a loan guarantee program will be established. A campaign to get out the vote' for the February 2000 Presidential Elections will also be conducted. During FY 2001, specific development activities will be agreed to with our partners and customers and on the ground activities will have completed their first full year of field operations under the USAID 1998-2006 strategy.
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ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Senegal
TITLE AND NUMBER: Sustainable Increases in Private Sector Income-Generating Activities in Selected Sectors, 685-001
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $6,073,000 (DA)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $5,275,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2006Summary: This private sector activity has been designed to provide the essential ingredients for greater access to economic options and broader-based economic growth by building on the success of past USAID activities in policy reform, improved natural resources management (NRM), and overall private sector development. This activity provides a comprehensive and continuous approach to: (1) strengthening local business associations; (2) identifying and documenting priority concerns; (3) proposing solutions; (4) debating the issues in an open and participatory manner; and (5) developing and implementing strategies to improve the policy and regulatory environment within the context of decentralization. This activity fits into the Mission Performance Plan as part of the Economic Development Strategy.
USAID's new assistance strategy is demand-driven. It was developed in response to the expressed needs of USAID's Senegalese partners and will be implemented through activities identified and requested by these partners. This private sector activity targets micro-, small-, and medium-sized entrepreneurs, especially women, as well as groups or associations that represent them or work with or assist them. The demand-driven approach emphasizes indigenous ownership of the results and seeks to involve beneficiaries in all aspects of the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of all activities which will begin to be implemented in FY 2000.
Key Results: USAID will consider this objective met when (1) improved legal, regulatory and policy environment; (2) increased access to financial services; and (3) improved technical and managerial practices are achieved.
Performance and Prospects: In 1999, this activity focussed on laying the groundwork for achieving results in the future. The prime contractor for this effort was competitively selected, and several actions.
An investors' road map survey, documenting administrative red tape that impedes trade and investment, was completed in early 1999. The study findings were presented and debated in a national workshop. This effort culminated with the identification of four general policy reform areas to promote effective delivery of services to investors in Senegal. Over 40 specific reform measures were identified under the following areas: (a) general administrative approval; (b) sector specific; (c) land acquisition and site development; and (d) operational policies. The donors' working group on private sector issues in Senegal, led by the United encouraged the Government of Senegal (GOS) to include these reforms on its policy reform agenda. The recommended reforms were incorporated into Senegal's Policy Framework Paper and Policy Reform Actions to be undertaken during the 1999-2001 time frame.
In 1999, USAID has also made significant contributions to the preparation of a broad-based private sector strategy for Senegal. The private sector donor working group worked closely with the private sector and the GOS in developing a very comprehensive and forward looking strategy. The strategy document presented the strategic framework, and also underscored the GOS's commitment to withdraw completely from productive economic activities and its intent to promote private sector initiatives in all economic areas. The strategy was validated in a high-level national seminar chaired by President Diouf in April 1999. During his opening remarks, the President endorsed the need for significant reforms of the GOS policies and procedures affecting the private sector and called upon the different branches of his Government to complete an action plan. The new GOS strategic framework provides ample opportunity for complimentarily between USAID and others in future private sector related interventions.
The GOS issued an action plan in December 1999 to implement the planned reforms. USAID is considering the provision of additional technical assistance for the GOS private sector policy reform. To help harmonize commercial laws, a court president received training at the International Development Law Institute and other judges have received local training. Also, two Senegalese, members of the civil forum, attended the International Conference on Anti-Corruption in Durban in October. In keeping with USAID efforts to liberalize markets, the Rice Market Information System graduated from USAID assistance and continues its work. To improve efficiencies in customs, USAID plans to support Senegal's system of computer-based tracking of customs clearance. Also, to reduce the backlog of commercial lawsuits, USAID is helping Senegal's Arbitration, Mediation, and Conciliation Center in terms of promotion and training.
USAID sent the director of the Alliance of Savings and Loans for Production (ACEP), a micro-finance institution, to a four-week training program in the United States. Activities to be implemented in FY 2000 include: the Loan Portfolio Guarantee (LPG) program to increase access to formal bank services by lowering banks' perceived risk in lending small amounts to new clients; a study of the feasibility of transforming ACEP from a micro-credit institution to a full bank; a global positioning system--based map of where financial services are located; and a grants facility to promote private sector activities.
USAID sent Senegalese entrepreneurs to the United States to explore business opportunities as part of a reverse trade mission with the Corporate Council on Africa. USAID funded an expert to conduct a seminar on Y2K and viruses for critical businesses such as banks, water companies, and energy companies. Seminars were also conducted in the ten regional capitals of Senegal. An activity to promote the sale of 10,000 fuel-efficient stoves in year 2000 is under negotiation.
Due to unforeseen delays in the process of securing the services of the prime contractor, implementation did not begin as intended. The contractor commenced operations in December 1999.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: No adjustments are foreseen at this time.
Other Donor Programs: The World Bank (IBRD), the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and France are the leading donors for Senegal's private sector. The World Bank-supported programs are encouraging competition, liberalizing the sector, and reducing energy costs. In 1997, the International Finance Corporation opened an office in Dakar to respond to financial needs of small and medium enterprises (SMEs). A joint IMF/IBRD team visited Senegal in December 1999 to assess Senegal's performance under the structural adjustment program and review macroeconomic financial indicators. Because the Senegalese government has continued to make the necessary reforms, the IMF executive board of directors is considering the release of further financial support to Senegal. Other key donors include the African Development Bank, the European Union, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the United Nations Development Program, the West African Development Bank, Canada, Germany, and Italy. A private sector-working group chaired by USAID coordinates donor assistance for private sector issues.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: IBRD's Foreign Investment Advisory Services, Chemonics International, Enterprise Wrks Worldwide/ATI (in negotiation).
Selected Performance Measures: Baseline
(1998)Actual
(1999)Target
(2000)Target
(2006)Identification of reform areas to
promote effective delivery of
services to Investors(X) Yes - - Ratio of private investment to GDP 13% 13.5%* 14% 17% Number of newly registered:
- Small and medium enterprises (SMEs)
- Micro-enterprises Increased120
250N/A
N/A275
7001,250
3,200
X: This onetime indicator was to be completed in 1999, and was achieved on schedule.
* Preliminary Estimate: The IMF and the GOS are in the process of reviewing the data. Actual data will be available in March 2000.
N/A: Due to delays in implementation the targets for 1999 are not applicable.U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Senegal
TITLE AND NUMBER: More Effective, Democratic, and Accountable Local Management of Services and Resources in Target Areas, 685-002
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $5,380,000 (DA)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $5,916,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2006Summary: The purpose of this activity is to achieve more effective, democratic, and accountable local management of services and resources in targeted areas. This democracy and governance activity will increase the ability of Senegalese to identify and prioritize local issues and mobilize resources at local levels to address their major concerns. The activity builds upon the success of past USAID-funded activities. These include, inter alia: (1) continuing to work with communities to help villagers develop land use management plans; (2) supporting village organizations to create new income generating activities; and (3) contributing to the implementation of the National Environmental Action Plan and helping the national committee that coordinates actions to sustainably manage Senegal's natural resources.
Key Results: USAID will consider this objective met when (1) local institutions demonstrate increased capacity to manage their affairs; (2) local institutions have increased access to financial resources; (3) popular participation in the management and oversight of local affairs is increased; and (4) policies and regulations related to decentralization are more effectively implemented.
In 1999 the most impressive gains were demonstrated by two indicators. First, an increase of 12% above the baseline was registered in the proportion of local governments units managing their budgets according to generally accepted accounting procedures. Second, the proportion of local collectivities that design and implement their local sector development plans increased by 20 percentage points over the baseline.
Performance and Prospects: During 1999, USAID concentrated on on-going natural resource management (NRM) based activities. The Southeast Consortium for International Development (SECID), a consortium of U.S. historically black colleges and universities is the current implementing grantee. It has focused on management of local natural resources by local government units and rural communities. As shown on the performance indicator table, preliminary results for the first three indicators depict that there has been a positive trend from baseline in 1998 to actual performance in 1999.
Overall, 15 rural communities (cluster of villages) participated in the natural resource management based activities. These rural communities developed land use management plans in 1997 as their natural resources management sectoral plan, which have to be implemented over a three-year period. The implementation of specific projects under these plans started in 1998. As a result, these grassroots community groups have made decisions in a democratic manner to use environmentally sound techniques to manage the natural resources in their farm fields and common areas. These techniques have both assured increased long-term income potential and improved their natural resource base.
Empowerment of villagers and enhancement of the capacity of civil society is continuing. Training and technical assistance in NRM practices and technologies, literacy, community-based decision making, enterprise development and access to credit is being promoted.
USAID supported debate at regional level among local elected leaders (Rural Councils) concerning proposed changes in the very sensitive land tenure law. This contributes to increasing popular participation to the management and oversight of local affairs and to enforcing the decentralization law and its related policies. The process reached 500 local elected leaders and produced a consensus in a national conference. Recommendations will be reviewed in the near future by the Government of Senegal before submission to the National Assembly for promulgation of a new law.
USAID also supported the second session of the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the Convention to Combat Desertification (CCD). Participants included over 2000 people from the parties, observers, international organizations, and non-government organizations. The goal of the Conference was to settle basic organizational matters and to advance the implementation of the Convention. A subsidiary body, the Committee on Science and Technology (CST) also met to discuss scientific issues, mainly in conjunction with sessions on international environmental treaties. The main results included presentation on implementation in selected countries, reiteration of the important role of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and local institutions in the process, movement on the discussion of ecological and socioeconomic indicators. Other major outcomes of the conference included finalization of: the budget, the headquarters agreement, and the institutional linkage with the UN Secretariat.
In addition, USAID issued a grant to a consortium of local NGOs for a public awareness campaign regarding Senegal's Year 2000 Presidential election, and issued another grant to a national NGO to begin decentralization assistance in targeted communities under the USAID's new strategy. In 2000, USAID will concentrate on (1) expanding decentralization activity implementation in selected regions; (2) collecting baseline data for the implementing contractor's activities; (3) implementing locally developed Land Use Management Plans in five additional rural communities; and (4) empowering villagers and enhancing civil society through training and technical assistance in NRM practices and technologies, literacy, community-based decision making, enterprise development and improvement on access to credit.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: No adjustments are foreseen.
Other Donor Programs: The Government of Senegal passed a landmark decentralization law in 1996, marking a turning point in Senegal's devolution of authority and transfer of technical competence to local governments and new regional councils. Canada is the lead donor for coordination of decentralization programs. Canada's assistance focuses initially on fiscal discipline and financial transfers among levels of government, and training for the national association of newly elected regional officials. The European Union is providing equipment to the new local governing bodies as well as helping with information systems. The French, upon whose governing system the decentralization law was modeled, are providing training and equipment. Other key donors include the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank, the Netherlands, and Germany.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: The Southeast Consortium for International Development (SECID) will provide natural resource management assistance through 2001. New contracts/grants will be competed and awarded in 2000, with the prime contractor expected to commence activities early in the year.
Selected Performance Measures: Baseline Actual
(1999)Target
(2000)Target
(2001)*Proportion of Local Governments Units
(LGUs) managing their budgets according to
generally accepted accounting procedures75%
(1997)87% 95% 100% Proportion of Local Collectivities (CLs)
that design and implement their local sector
development plans related to transferred
competencies/authorities73%
(1998)93% 97% 100% Local contracts successfully completed 93%
(1997)95% 97% 100% Citizens in Rural Communities and communes
who report satisfaction with the management of
public services and resources35%
(1998)N/A 40% 55% Increased consultations of local citizen
groups by local governments in
decision-making5%
(1998)N/A 20% 65%
* The first three indicators and targets were established as part of the Cooperative Agreement to the main contractor for the environmental activity, which is scheduled to end in FY 2001. New performance targets are being finalized for the FY 2001-2006 period.
U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Senegal
TITLE AND NUMBER: Increased and Sustainable Use of Reproductive Health (Child Survival, Maternal Health, Family Planning, and Sexually Transmitted Infections/AIDS) Services in the Context of Decentralization in Targeted Areas, 685-003
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,700,000 (DA), $6,400,000 (CSD)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $6,957,000 (CSD), $3,720,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1998 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2006Summary: Social services in Senegal remain extremely limited, particularly in the rural areas where access to health structures is especially difficult for women and children. Maternal mortality is high (510 per 100,000 live births), and use of family planning is low (only 7% of women use modern contraception) so Senegalese women bear on average 5.7 children each. Although significant improvement has occurred in survival rates of children over the past two decades, recent studies indicate a slight increase in child mortality. This alarming change is likely linked with decreased vaccination coverage in the past few years, from a peak of 80% in 1995 to 60% in 1997. Life expectancy has remained steady at 52 years and half of the population is under 18.
This general description does not reflect the vast difference in health status between urban and rural populations in Senegal. In 1997, child mortality in the rural areas was double that in the urban areas and contraceptive prevalence was only 2.1 as opposed to 19.3 in urban areas.
This activity has been developed in response to these problems and to take advantage of the new opportunities created by Senegal's 1996 decentralization laws. The activity seeks to improve reproductive health services through increased local participation in setting priorities and in financing activities, through more effective and innovative approaches, with the ultimate goal of increasing demand for, and use of, these services.
FY 1999 was a transition year, with preliminary activities carried out pending the establishment of long-term technical assistance implementers. Transition activities are paving the way for implementation of new activities under the 1998-2006 strategy.
This reproductive health program will support activities that will directly benefit four major groups: (1) couples and individuals of reproductive age (especially mothers) and children up to age five, as the primary beneficiaries of child survival activities; (2) groups at high risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including prostitutes, transporters, and older students, as the target population for STI/AIDS control activities; (3) health professionals and para-medicals, occupational specialists who are legally certified by the Government of Senegal will also benefit from USAID resources for training, equipping and supplying, supervision and surveillance of services; and (4) local community and grassroots organizations, NGOs, political and public opinion leaders who frame and/or implement national and local policies, make or interpret laws and regulations.
Key Results: The key results achieved during FY 1999 include: 1) improved access to quality maternal health services; 2) increased community participation in the domain of child nutrition; 3) expanded information, education and communication/behavioral change communication in the domain of STI/AIDS; and 4) increased access to family planning services. Results from a pilot effort in health financing have been very positive in identifying innovative mechanisms for increasing community ownership of reproductive health activities.
Performance and Prospects: USAID's activities have made significant advances in expanding key child survival programs in target regions. For example, use of oral rehydration salts to treat diarrhea in children under five increased from 8.9% (1996) to 17.9 % (1999) in the region of Kaolack. USAID has also introduced integrated management of childhood illnesses, as well as integrated package of nutrition activities in Ministry of Health (MOH) programs in USAID target regions. These new interventions have reinforced MOH capacity to combat childhood disease.
HIV/AIDS prevalence in Senegal remains remarkably low (1.4% among the general population) in relation to neighboring countries. However, Senegal needs to maintain aggressive campaigns addressing high-risk groups. USAID's CSD-funded support to social marketing activities has increased condom use. The average number of condoms sold monthly through private sector distribution points increased by 4.6% from 196,000 to 205,000 condoms. Recent emphasis has been on increasing the number of sales points for condoms, particularly in urban and peri-urban areas. The number of registered sales points has increased by 9.7% in the past 12 months.
Access to quality maternal health care is increasing in USAID target regions. Development Assistance (DA) funds have been used to extend Client-Oriented-Provider-Efficiency (COPE) training to all reference centers in USAID regions, plus two-thirds of centers throughout the rest of the country. DA funds have also been used for increasing access to and use of prenatal care. For example, the proportion of women reporting three or more prenatal visits has increased from 49% in 1996 to 56% in 1999 in the region of Kaolack. Finally, couple years of protection (CYP) has increased by 13% over the past year.
With DA funds, USAID has supported a pilot project to test new and innovative mechanisms for increasing local participation in health financing. Between 1998 and 1999, pilot communities more than doubled their contribution to finance health initiatives in their localities.
At present, USAID contributes more than 90% of the contraceptives in Senegal. With the goal of decreasing USAID annual contribution without adversely affecting the slow but steady increase in the number of users, USAID and the Ministry of Health will start the process of integrating contraceptives in the distribution network that was established under the Bamako Initiative.
In June 2000, USAID and its partners will launch a collaborative venture seeking to establish a sustainable mechanism for delivering reproductive health services to rural Senegal. These partners will operate in four technical domains: child survival; maternal health/family planning; ST[/AIDS; and health financing. Although the partners will independently support selected, central-level activities in each domain, they will collaborate at the local level to offer an integrated package of RH services to local communities. Local communities will receive a USAID grant to match their own contribution of locally generated tax revenues. Through a detailed and participatory planning process, they will develop a health program in which they "purchase" reproductive health services that meet their own health needs. Technical assistance will both introduce new, and improve existing, health delivery mechanisms at the local level, as well as provide training, supervision, and monitoring in support of the local management committees.
USAID will continue to support and provide technical assistance to nationwide activities such as the Epidemiological Sentinel Surveillance of STIs and HIV/AIDS. Nationwide information, education, and communication activities will also be funded to encourage positive behavior change in all the reproductive health domains. In addition, the social marketing program is introducing oral contraceptives that will expand even further the availability of quality contraceptive methods around the country.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: No adjustments to this program are foreseen at present.
Other Donor Programs: About 20 bilateral and multilateral donors, including the World Bank, Japan, France, and the European Union, currently contribute to the health sector in Senegal. Under the Government of Senegal's national health plan for the period 1998 to 2002, it is estimated that the GOS will cover about 60% of the planned health budget by providing human and material resources, while donors will fund about 30% of the budget, mostly for preventive health and family planning. Cost-recovery systems are expected to contribute the remaining 10%.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: USAID will put in place one new contractor and two new grantees by June 2000, and will collaborate with Basic Support for Institutionalizing Child Survival (BASICS II) and Contraceptive Social Marketing (CSM). On-going transition activities will continue through FY 2000 with existing field support mechanisms, including BASICS, the John Hopkins Population Institute (JHPIEGO), CSM, Monitoring and Evaluation to Assess and Use Results (MEASURE, a project including the Demographic and Health Survey using expertise from the U.S. Census Bureau and private organizations), the Family Planning Logistics Management Project (FPLM), the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception (AVSC), the POLICY Project to improve health policy, the Partnership for Health Reform (PHR), Population Communication Services (PCS), Family Planning Management Development Project (FPMD), and the Implementing AIDS Prevention and Control Activities (IMPACT).
Selected Performance Measures: Baseline
(Date)Actual
(1999)Target
(2000)Target
(2001)Target
(2006)Women reporting 3 or more prenatal visits (1996) Fatick
Kaolack
Louga52
49
5657
56
6066
60
6269
63
6480
80
80Use of ORS to treat diarrhea among
children under 5 years(1996) Fatick
Kaolack
Louga12.7
8.9
10.713.0
17.9
9.115
25
1117
32
1540
50
40% Regional Reference Health
Centers trained in COPE (Nationwide)(1998)
53.878.6 100 100 100 Average Monthly Condom Sales
(Nationwide)(1998)
196,000205,000 259,000 287,000 479,000 Number of Condom Sales Points
(Nationwide)(1998)
1,7461,915 2,015 2,150 2,700
U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Senegal
TITLE AND NUMBER: The Re-establishment of Conditions for Economic and Political Development in the Casamance, 685-009
PLANNED FY 2000 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,000,000 (DA)
PROPOSED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND ACCOUNT: $2,000,000 (DFA)
STATUS: Continuing
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002Summary: A major constraint to Senegal's development is the protracted armed struggle in the Casamance region. Seventeen years of fighting between Government of Senegal (GOS) soldiers and rebels belonging to the "Mouvement des Forces Democratiques de la Casamance" (MFDC) have adversely affected the potential of the Casamance to contribute fully to the economy of Senegal as well as being a heavy drain on the GOS's national budget. The internal talks of the rebellion movement hosted in Banjul during June and July 1999, marked an historic turning point for the Casamance peace settlement process which seeks to end the conflict in this region. These talks and the end of the crisis in neighboring Guinea-Bissau have helped pave the way for direct peace negotiations between the GOS and the MFDC during late December 1999. This activity is part of the regional stability strategy of Senegal's Mission Performance Plan.
To support the peace process and to lay the groundwork for a progressive re-engagement USAID's regular programming in this high potential region, USAID has designed this three-year activity which will facilitate reconciliation of the warring factions and help remove some of the primary causes of the conflict. The end of the conflict provides USAID with an opportunity to assist many inhabitants of the Casamance to return to their homes and villages. Conflict resolution in the Casamance will also contribute to sub-regional stability as the Casamance borders both the Gambia and Guinea- Bissau.
Security concerns obliged USAID to terminate the implementation of its regular program in parts of the Casamance region in December 1997. Overall, USAID's interventions will seek to contribute to a cessation of hostilities and the return of peace and stability to the region. The achievement of the latter is viewed as a pre-condition to the resumption of USAID's regular assistance program in all parts of the Casamance region.
USAID's recovery plan will reach families, resettled people, demobilized rebels, war-affected children who live in some 200 rural communities. Thousands of ex-rebels and internally displaced persons will receive assistance from the USAID activity. The recovery plan targets vulnerable internally displaced groups, including women, children and rural residents in the Casamance.
Key Results: To re-establishment conditions for economic and political development in the Casamance, three broad results are necessary: (1) increased economic activity; (2) increased local capacity; and (3) sustained reconciliation and peace.
Performance and Prospects: This activity was approved in September 1999 and is just beginning implementation. Specific activities under this program will be defined in early 2000 upon the arrival of an American contractor to oversee work. Probable activities include: (1) rehabilitation and reactivation of factors of production (micro-lending, micro-projects for rebuilding village infrastructure and creating jobs, sesame and rice production, saltwater intrusion-prevention dikes for increasing rice production, and demining); (2) capacity building of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs); (3) civil society rehabilitation; (4) reintegration and vocational training of excombatants, and (5) peace and reconciliation talks.
USAID may also support efforts to increase local capacity through assistance related to: (1) resettlement of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs); (2) building managerial capacity of local NGOs; (3) training and social reinsertion of former rebels; and (4) detection and removal of mines.
USAID will encourage and sustain the reconciliation and peace efforts through a number and range of training activities, including (1) strengthen and rehabilitation of civil society; and (2) peace and reconciliation talks between GOS and MFDC leaders.
The announcement of this activity received widespread and laudatory publicity. USAID was one of the first donors to announce financial support for the peace initiative. USAID and other subsequent commitments to improving the development prospects for the Casamance contributed to the cease fire agreement signed in late December 1999.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: The fluid and dynamic security conditions prevailing in parts of the Casamance require flexibility in the performance indicators. Some possible adjustments to plans are anticipated depending on the evolution of the peace process. It is expected that discussions with local groups will further refine the list of USAID-supported activities. One key to a successful activity in the Casamance is "ownership" of the activity by the local population. The rate of achievement of performance targets will be affected by the evolution of current negotiations for ending the conflict.
Other Donor Programs: The GOS announced a $185 million special assistance program for Casamance FY 1999-2003 period for which they are seeking donor contributions. The European Union (EU), with a pledge of $33 million, is poised to be the leading donor if the peace talks succeed. Their program would cover aspects of agriculture, forestry, livestock, health, sanitation, reconstruction of roads and schools, microenterprise development, and resettlement of displaced people. Together with the United Nations Development Program, the European Union co-chairs the donor coordination committee for the Casamance, The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has programmed $1.3 million for 1999 for labor-intensive employment and school-feeding programs. Bilateral donors, working through non-governmental organization intermediaries, include France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy. USAID's support is complementing and leveraging other donor and private sector investments.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: USAID works closely with the Ministry of Agriculture (that has been charged with coordinating donor assistance to the Casamance), local and U.S. based nongovernmental organizations, and with various organizations such as the Rural Councils and women's' groups. Implementing nongovernmental organizations will be chosen early in the year 2000.
Selected Performance Measures:
This is a new activity and baseline data and targets will be established in spring 2000 and may include:
- Proportion of displaced people returning to their homes,
- Number of jobs created through USAID activities, and
- Clashes between GOS army and rebels cease.
U.S. Finance Table (Microsoft Excel file)
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Last Updated on: December 29, 2000 |
