|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
Regional Economic Development Services
for East and Southern Africa (REDSO/ESA)
>> Regional Overview >> REDSO Overview
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000, 1999
Last updated: 22
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Internal and cross-border violence is on the upswing in east and southern Africa, greatly hampering development progress. Regional conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, civil wars in Sudan and Somalia, and armed insurgencies in Rwanda, Burundi, and Uganda continue to destabilize the region. In addition, heightened internal political tensions, such as those related to upcoming national elections in Kenya, deter potential foreign and domestic investors. Borders, such as that between Somalia and Kenya, are porous, impeding control of terrorism and arms flows. Conflict, droughts and continued deterioration of food production have resulted in frequent food emergencies in the region, affecting more than 18 million people.
Economic performance in the region is uneven. Some countries experienced little or no growth in 2001 while others have growth estimated to be as high as 5%. Population growth continues to fuel increased demand for expansion of agricultural lands, often at the expense of important and traditional grazing areas and impeding protection of the region's incomparable wildlife, an important magnet for tourism. Infectious diseases, such as HIV/AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis, seriously affect productivity and overwhelm national public health systems. Of the 36 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide by the close of 2000, over 25 million were in sub-Saharan Africa. HIV/AIDS is now the leading cause of death on the continent and affects millions in REDSO/ESA's region. These transnational challenges clearly demonstrate the need for regional approaches to food security, conflict prevention and health care issues, but indigenous management systems and infrastructure are weak.
The REDSO/ESA program, co-located in Nairobi with USAID/Kenya, fully supports U.S. national interests in the region. Improved regional stability and political integration will facilitate progress in the global war on terrorism. Economic cooperation and the opening of markets will promote growth and increased opportunities for U.S. trade and investment, in addition to lessening dependence on international humanitarian assistance. Reducing transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases will work to diminish the risk of further economic disruption, political disintegration, impoverishment and conflict. While improving African public health, this work will also ultimately support U.S. national interests in the region.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $22.458 million FY 2003 Request: $27.288 million The Program Data Sheets provided cover the three objectives for which USAID is requesting funds. REDSO/ESA covers 23 countries in east and southern Africa and thereby assists those smaller countries lacking a U.S. bilateral development program, such as Djibouti, to benefit from regional activities undertaken by USAID. REDSO/ESA's three objectives include enhancing east and southern African capacity to achieve food security through dissemination of improved, environmentally sustainable agriculture practices, increased trade and better climate forecasting. They also focus on improving regional management of conflict and building the capacity of regional health organizations, with an emphasis on strengthening responses to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. FY 2002 DA and CSH funds and prior year Economic Support Fund (ESF) funds will be used to implement the program as currently planned and previously described in the FY 2002 Congressional Budget Justification, as well as to carry out selected new activities.
ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO NEW FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: The REDSO/ESA program includes the following objectives for which USAID is not requesting new funds, but is continuing to expend funds already appropriated.
Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 623-001 Program and Tech Support FY02 CBJ, p. 753 FY 2003 623-002 Critical Information FY02 CBJ, p. 757 FY 2003 623-003 GHAI Implementation FY02 CBJ, p. 763 FY 2003 OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: As a regional mission, REDSO/ESA supports other USAID missions in east and southern Africa with technical, legal, financial management, food assistance and procurement services. In addition, REDSO/ESA implements a regional assistance program. REDSO/ESA also assists in the management of USAID's large (almost $400 million in FY 2001) P.L. 480 emergency and non-emergency food assistance programs in 14 countries in East and Southern Africa. It provides support for U.S. Department of Agriculture's Title I, Title II Food for Progress, and Title II Section 416 food aid program ($200 million in FY 2001) operating in seven countries in the region. The USAID humanitarian assistance office manages substantial emergency programs in the region that are coordinated with bilateral programs in each country as well as with the REDSO/ESA regional program. USAID/Washington programs in population, health and nutrition play an important supporting role in providing technical assistance and training for regional African institutions. For example, centrally-funded health projects are helping to disseminate a comprehensive methodology for use in regularly assessing the national level performance of logistics and pharmaceutical management systems for countries in the region. They also support regional training workshops to address logistics management systems needed for HIV/AIDS commodities.
OTHER DONORS: Donor coordination is good. The European Union and the United States are the first and second largest donors supporting direct assistance to regional institutions such as the Intergovernmental Authority on Development and the Common Market for East and Southern Africa. Other important donors supporting regional activities in food security, conflict prevention and health include the World Bank, Canada, and the African Development Bank. USAID closely cooperates with Germany, especially for assistance on conflict prevention and early warning systems, and with United Nations agencies, such as the World Health Organization, in maternal/child health and HIV/AIDS prevention.
Program Data Sheets
 |
|||
Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
