Foreign Assistance Spending Data Now Available by U.S. Department/Agency
A new feature has been added to the “U.S. Overseas Loans and Grants” Web site,http://gbk.eads.usaidallnet.gov. Foreign assistance spending data by each of 23 U.S. Government departments or agencies is now available in Excel spreadsheets for fiscal years 2001 through 2010. The new reports complement the country tables (40 per country) that provide detailed information on obligations, disbursements, funding agency, funding account, implementing agency, implementing partner type, and sector.
IN THE NEWS
Press Release: Ministry of Health Appreciates Support from U.S.Government
Source: The New Times (Kigali) Saturday December 10, 2011
The Ministry of Health would like to clarify a story published in the Chronicles Newspaper on Dec 11 2011 entitled, "US Responds to Minister Binagwaho's Criticism,' which was captured in a wrong context. The author of the story plays around with figures and creates a false impression of discontent on the part of the Government of Rwanda, and the health sector in particular, regarding the US Government's support. This is wrong. The U.S. Government is a great friend of Rwanda and the major supporter of our health sector. Read more
IN THE NEWS
Gender-Based Violence and HIV: Moving From Commitment to Action
By Ambassador Eric Goosby and Ambassador Melanin Verveer / December 09, 2011
As we observe the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Violence, bookmarked by International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on November 25 and International Human Rights Day on December 10, grassroots activists, civil society, faith-based organizations, the private sector, and governments around the world are calling attention to the critical importance of ending gender-based violence. Read the article here
IN THE NEWS
Non-Surgical Circumcision Targets 50% Drop in HIV Infections
Source: Igihe.com - English Version (Kigali) Wednesday December 07, 2011
Circumcision in heterosexual males could reduce HIV by up to 60%, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The Government of Rwanda is to start a non-surgical circumcision drive intended to lower risks of HIV transmission and infections by 50%, according to the study done in the country showing the advantages of using the device. Read more
SPEECH
Remarks by President Obama on World AIDS Day
Washington, DC, December 1, 2011(Excerpt)
Since I took office, we’ve increased support for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. We’ve launched a Global Health Initiative that has improved access to health care, helping bring down the cost of vaccines, and over the next five years, will help save the lives of 4 million more children. And all along, we kept focusing on expanding our impact. Today, I’m proud to announce that as of September, the United States now supports anti-retroviral treatment for nearly 4 million people worldwide. (Applause.) Four million people. And in just the past year, we’ve provided 600,000 HIV-positive mothers with access to drugs so that 200,000 babies could be born HIV-free. (Applause.) And nearly 13 million people have received care and treatment, including more than 4 million children. So we’ve got some stuff to be proud of. (Read or watch the speech here)
In the News
Rwanda and America: Leading With Science, Uniting for Action on HIV/AIDS
By Ambassador Donald W. Koran, US Ambassador to Rwanda
Source: U.S. Embassy, Kigali Website, Thursday, December 1, 2011 Read article
SUCCESS STORY
Rwanda’s Post-Harvest Handling & Storage project increases economic freedom for women and families:
Clementine is a maize farmer in the Coamanya cooperative. Prior to having the cooperative and a common storage center, she was constantly worried that thieves would steal her maize. Thieves were not her only concern. Insects would infest her harvest, as it was stored on the ground outside her home, causing her to lose up to 40% of her hard labor. As she feeds her nine-month old son, Pierre, she says with a smile, “Now I am able to look after my children, because I can leave my maize in the storage center and trust there are no thieves.” (Read More, pdf, 76Kb)
IN THE NEWS
Declaration from the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness
Busan, Republic of Korea
1st December 2011 - After extended negotiations, 18 sherpas elected to represent a wide group of stakeholders reached agreement on the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation. This declaration for the first time establishes an agreed framework for development cooperation that embraces traditional donors, South-South cooperators, the BRICs, CSOs and private funders. This marks a turning point for international development cooperation. The process has been guided by the Working Party on Aid Effectiveness (WP-EFF), which brings together representatives of over 80 countries and organizations. (Read the declaration here)
Speech
Keynote at the Opening Session of the Fourth High-Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness
By Hillary Rodham Clinton, U.S. Secretary of State
Busan Exhibition and Convention Center, Busan, South Korea
November 30, 2011
So we are trying some different approaches. Through the Obama Administration’s new Partnership for Growth, the United States is working intensively with four partner countries – El Salvador, Ghana, Tanzania, and the Philippines – to identify their biggest impediments to growth, and then to coordinate the efforts of every U.S. agency, from Agriculture to Treasury, in helping them overcome these barriers. In addition, our Feed the Future program now helps our partners bring together international donors to invest in the country’s plan to improve agriculture and food security. Read More
In the News
Africa is on the move, says Blair
Source: The Guardian (UK) Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Given the stress on openness and transparency, Blair acknowledged that certain governments, including Ethiopia and Rwanda, were less than open, but what was important was whether they were succeeding in improving lives. "What is the direction of travel," said Blair, who once referred to Africa as "a scar on the world's conscience". Read More
Ambassador Susan Rice Visits Rwanda
Ambassador Rice Hails Healthcare System
Source: The New Times (Kigali) Friday, November 25, 2011 Read article
Susan Rice Tours RDB's One Stop Center
Source: Igihe.com - English Version (Kigali) Friday, November 25, 2011 Read Article
Susan Rice Applauds Nation's Progress
Source: Rwanda Focus (Kigali) Thursday, November 24, 2011 Read Article
Building a New Nation: Rwanda's Progress and Potential
Remarks by Ambassador Susan E. Rice, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations
Kigali, Rwanda, November 23, 2011.
Good evening, everyone. Thank you very much for coming out and thank you for welcoming me to the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. I want to thank very much and warmly from the bottom of my heart the Foreign Minister for her very kind introduction. Honorable ministers, thank you also for being here. I'd like to thank the Rector of the Kigali Institute for hosting me today and for all the great work that went into pulling this event together. And I'd also like to thank my colleague, Ambassador Don Koran, the American ambassador to Rwanda and his entire team at the U.S. Embassy for their assistance as well. I have come to Rwanda to bear witness to the remarkable progress you have made against all odds. Read more
PRESS RELEASE
Foreign Assistance Dashboard Update
Washington, DC - The Department of State, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) are pleased to announce the first major update of the Foreign Assistance Dashboard (www.foreignassistance.gov). The Foreign Assistance Dashboard serves as a tool for users to understand the impact of U.S. foreign assistance funding by country, sector, initiative, and agency in an easy-to-understand format. The site provides a visual presentation of foreign assistance data in a standard and user-friendly way, and has had over 120,000 visitors since its initial launch in December 2010. Read more
Rwanda at a Glance
Date of Independence: 1962
President: Paul Kagame
Population: 11,370,000 (2011 est)
Per Capita Income: $530 (2010)
Contraceptive Prevalence among women: 52% in 2010 (17% in 2005)
Child Mortality Rate: 76 per 1000 live births in 2010 (152 per 1000 live births in 2005)
Women hold 45 of the 80 seats - 56 % - in Rwanda's Parliament
USAID Mission
Mission Director: Dennis Weller
USAID works with the Government of Rwanda to improve the health and livelihoods of Rwandans and increase economic and political development.
Objectives
-> Increased Use of Community Health Services, Including HIV/AIDS
-> Expanded Economic Opportunities in Rural Areas
-> Improved Governance Through Increased Citizen Participation
