Development Challenge Other Donors FY2001 Program / Activity & Budget Information Summary Tables Program Summary Work Force Data Program/Sector Summary USAID Search: Tanzania Previous Years' Activities 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 Thursday, 09-Nov-2000 14:01:18 EST

Introduction

The U.S. national interests in Tanzania include stabilizing population growth, improving maternal and child health, preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS, arresting environmental degradation, and promoting democracy, human rights, and broad-based economic growth. The United States also supports Tanzania's active role in resolving the multiple (and costly) crises afflicting the Great Lakes region. Since the launch of economic and political reforms in 1995, Tanzania has become a stronger development partner. It is a key East Africa country that, despite its limited financial resources, actively champions regional cooperation. Tanzania has set aside one-fourth of its territory as protected areas supporting some of the world's most biologically diverse ecosystems. Tanzania promotes private sector-led development, is committed to democratic governance and a market driven economy, and has growing potential to attract U.S. investment in minerals and tourism.

The Development Challenge

Tanzania's challenges to development are formidable. Based on the severity of its problems, USAID expects to be involved in this country's economic development for at least the next decade. Over 50% of its 30 million people live in extreme poverty. This is exacerbated by rapid population growth, high rates of infectious diseases ( including HIV/AIDS), unsustainable use of natural resources, and weak human and physical infrastructure. In addressing these problems, USAID is assisting the Government of Tanzania (GOT) to establish a foundation for sustainable economic growth and improved human welfare.

USAID assistance to the Ministry of Health (MOH) has supported the completion of two five-year strategies, one for training and the other for improving health behavior. As a result, over 5,200 public and private health providers have been trained in family planning (FP) and maternal and child health. Modern contraceptive use doubled in five years and at least three FP methods are available at more than 90% of service delivery sites. USAID is supporting implementation of new strategies by the MOH in these areas to consolidate gains to date and push these vital programs forward.

USAID assisted the GOT to develop a major HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention campaign involving over 180 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) that has resulted in 55% of men and 39% of women knowing that the use of condoms prevents HIV/AIDS. These efforts have been supported by a highly successful condom social marketing program which distributed 18 million units in FY 1999, an 80% increase over 1998.

USAID's environment program has strengthened GOT institutions charged with policy analysis and strategic planning to halt serious degradation in and around game reserves, as well as in coastal areas. USAID has effectively coordinated donor response to key environmental issues and especially the concept of community economic benefit in balance with conservation practices for long-term sustainability of the environment. USAID's support to community-based organizations such as the Lawyers Environmental Action Trust (LEAT) has greatly enhanced public awareness and advocacy on environment issues.

In the governance area, USAID assistance has increased the efficiency and professionalism of the judiciary through the introduction of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) practices and a computerized case-flow management system. USAID activities have also improved dialogue between the government and civil society leading to greater civic advocacy and government responsiveness. USAID programs have shown notable success in giving women's organizations greater capacity to advocate on issues of unique and special interest to women.

USAID's innovative interventions on behalf of the private sector improved the regulatory and tax environment for private sector-led growth. USAID continues to provide business management skills through training and technical assistance to micro and small enterprises and business associations. Achievements to date include restructuring the financial sector that has resulted in an increase in the number of private financial institutions and in a more market driven economy. The Tanzania Revenue Authority, which USAID helped to establish, has increased revenue collection by 45% and has assisted in identifying and resolving procedural bottlenecks stifling the establishment of new firms.

USAID's successful infrastructure program has been decentralized to the district level where to date nearly 200 kilometers of district roads in the Iringa Region have been rehabilitated. This has generated over 45,000 workdays of employment, substantially enhanced farm to market access, and contributed significantly to food security. An additional 400 kilometers of district roads are currently being rehabilitated.

In humanitarian assistance for FY 1998, USAID donated 20,000 metric tons (MT) of P.L. 480 Title II emergency food to assist over 1.2 million people suffering from drought-related food shortages. In response to El Nino, USAID provided $1.1 million to repair rural roads in five districts. In FY 1999, USAID provided an additional 5,000 MT of emergency food to 290,000 recipients in central Tanzania. In continuing response to the 1998 bombing of the U.S. Embassy, USAID provided over $9 million for medical treatment for victims, support to victims' families, reconstruction of damaged properties and improved disaster management by the GOT.

Tanzania's external debt is $6.6 billion (1998) of which less than $30 million (including $15 million of commercial debt) is owed to the United States. In 2000, Tanzania expects approval of a Heavily Indebted Poor Countries program that would provide substantial debt relief and help address the country's excruciating poverty.

Other Donors

In FY 1999, the United States ranked tenth among donors, with a level of $30.9 million. Other donors include the World Bank, the Netherlands, European Union, Japan, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom. USAID and other donor programs are complementary with broad donor coordination achieved through monthly meetings held among the donors and regular consultations with GOT officials to discuss achievements, issues and results within each sector.

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