|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
  |
 |
  |
West African Regional Program
>> Regional Overview >> WARP Overview
USAID Search: West Africa Regional
Previous Years' Activities
2002, 2001, 2000,
Last updated: 23
THE DEVELOPMENT CHALLENGE: Key socioeconomic indicators for West Africa reveal that the region is unlikely to meet the United Nations Development Program's (UNDP) goal of reducing poverty by half by 2015. Many West Africans lack access to the social services, infrastructure and political institutions that are the prerequisites for a healthy and productive life. Investment in the region has yielded gains in school enrollment and infant mortality, only to be offset by persistently high population growth rates (2.7%) and a per capita gross domestic product that is now lower than it was a decade ago. Over the last three years, the region's combined economic growth rate has averaged around 2%, which is up to four percentage points below the 6% required to reach the poverty reduction goals. Factors cited for the decline include a precipitous drop in the prices of critical export commodities, low domestic investment and savings rates in all but three of the 15 countries that comprise the region, declining foreign direct investments (now half the level of the early 1980s), and high levels of external debt. More ominously, the HIV/AIDS infection rates are increasing relentlessly. Unsurprisingly, "Afro-pessimism" appears to be on the rise at the very moment when development experts estimate that investment, including donor assistance levels, must double in order to have an appreciable impact on reducing current poverty rates.
Gains in school enrollment and infant mortality have been offset by persistently high population growth rates. Two events in 2001 reinforce the need to invest in programs that promote regional integration. The first, the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), is a comprehensive strategy which argues that Africa's future is in its own hands and that it cannot depend upon the magnanimity of others. Developed by African leaders, it signals the emergence of the political will required to address the continent's development challenges on a united basis. Although NEPAD is a continent-wide initiative, it is based upon the assumption that sub-regional approaches to development are essential. NEPAD implies that sub-regional organizations, such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), must take the lead in forging and implementing common African positions on key development issues. The second event, the September 11th terrorist attack, has underlined the interconnected nature of our global society. It has also highlighted the need to build global and regional partnerships to combat terrorism and to ensure the spread of democratic values. In such an environment, the West African Regional Program (WARP), with its goal of regional political stability and economic prosperity, clearly supports U.S. national interests.
THE USAID PROGRAM:
FY 2002 Estimate: $26.846 million FY 2003 Request: $34.711 million WARP has just completed its initial year of operation. The program's geographic focus includes: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo. The program, which is managed out of Bamako, covers strategic objectives that deal with developmental obstacles that can be most effectively addressed through actions taken at a regional level in partnership with the leading sub-regional organizations. They include economic integration, health (with a focus on HIV/AIDS prevention), food security and conflict prevention. WARP's objectives are therefore intended to:
- support regional economic integration through (a) improved sub-regional trade and investment policies, and (b) increased capacity of West African institutions to provide a reliable and affordable supply of electrical energy;
- increase the sustainable use of services and products in the area of HIV/AIDS, reproductive health, maternal health and child survival;
- ensure food security and effective natural resources management by supporting the policies and programs of WARP's regional partners (both public and private sector); and
- support the development and implementation of conflict prevention programs by regional organizations and civil society groups.
WARP's partners are the premier regional organizations and non-governmental organizations and networks including ECOWAS, the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel, the West African Farmers Association and the West African Health Organization. FY 2002 funds and the FY 2003 request will be used to implement ongoing WARP Strategic Objectives. The specific activities to be funded by FY 2002 and FY 2003 appropriations are described in detail in the four following Program Data Sheets.
ONGOING PROGRAMS FOR WHICH NO FY 2002 OR FY 2003 FUNDING IS REQUESTED: The WARP program includes the following objectives for which USAID is not requesting new monies but will continue to expend funds already appropriated. These programs are residual activities of two precursors to WARP: the Sahel Regional Program and the Family Health and AIDS project.
Number: Title: Last Notified: Planned Completion: 624-001 Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS, Child Survival FY02 CBJ, p.817 FY 2001 625-001 Trade and Investment Policy Options FY02 CBJ, p.838 FY 2001 625-002 Civil Society/Government Dialogue FY02 CBJ, p.843 FY 2001 625-003 Decision-Makers Have Access to Information FY02 CBJ, p.847 FY 2001 Due to legal restrictions on assistance, there are no bilateral assistance programs with Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire or The Gambia.
OTHER PROGRAM ELEMENTS: Six countries in the region have bilateral programs, most of which feature activities in health, economic growth and democratic governance. Additionally, most countries in the region without USAID bilateral missions receive funding from USAID/Washington-based programs. Of note are P.L. 480 Food for Peace programs ($90 million for both emergency and development programs in FY 2002) and those in the area of health, environment and food security. WARP coordinates its activities with both bilateral and USAID/Washington programs with an eye to ensuring complementarity and avoiding duplication. For example, WARP shares information sources and implementation partners with the Famine Early Warning System Network program, and collaborates with USAID bilateral missions on the design and funding of HIV/AIDS prevention programs that target the major routes traveled by migrants and truckers in the region.
OTHER DONORS: Among multilateral donors there has been a definite trend towards working at the regional level. The World Bank has recently finalized its West Africa Regional Strategy and the UNDP has opened an office in Dakar. In terms of sectoral preferences, multiple donors (UNDP and the development agencies of Canada, the United Kingdom, and Germany) are involved in natural resource management, including bio-diversity and climate change. There are also seven major health sector projects focusing on infectious diseases. The most important health project, however, is the World Bank's $25 million HIV/AIDS prevention project covering the highly-traveled Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire through Lagos, Nigeria corridor. The World Bank has large finance projects, Germany has programs in agriculture and fisheries, and both the European Union (EU) and African Development Fund are sponsoring major energy initiatives. Donor coordination in the region is good and getting better. Currently, ECOWAS is receiving support from USAID and the World Bank for the creation of a West Africa Power Pool. Additionally, USAID and the EU are formulating a joint program of assistance in conflict prevention for ECOWAS.
Program Data Sheets
- 624-004 Regional Economic Integration Strengthened in West Africa
- 624-005 Increased, Sustainable Use of Selective Reproductive Health, STI/HIV/AIDS, Child Survival and Maternal Health Services and/or Products in West Africa
- 624-006 Food Security and Environmental and Natural Resources Policies and Programs Strengthened and Implemented in West Africa
- 624-007 Early Detection and Response Mechanisms to Prevent Regional Conflicts Established and Functioning
 |
|||
Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
