Belarus informed the United States yesterday that it is imposing new limits on American diplomatic and technical personnel at the U.S. Embassy in Minsk, effective June 13. Despite an increasingly restrictive environment for U.S. government programming in Belarus, USAID’s partnership with the Belarusian people continues and remains more important than ever.
The USAID program in Belarus has been operating without an in-country American Office Director since 2008, and our programming has been tailored to meet specific U.S. government priorities. USAID programs will remain active to support the development aspirations of the Belarusian people.
The citizens of Belarus continue to call for free and fair elections and a democratic government that respects human rights, even as the country grapples with the COVID-19 pandemic and its many public health, social, and economic consequences. USAID remains a committed partner to the people of Belarus and their dignity and human rights.