Speeches Shim
Mali is a colorful and diverse country, rich in culture, ethnicities, languages and artistry. Within this tapestry, widespread poverty persists with 49 percent of Malians living below the extreme poverty line. The median age of Mali’s population is 16.2 years – making it the third youngest in the world. Agriculture is the chief means of employment for Mali’s highly dispersed, predominantly rural population. However, 65 percent of the total land area is as desert or semidesert as economic activity is mainly confined to areas along the Niger River. The country’s location and dependence on agriculture make Mali particularly vulnerable to climate shocks and changes.
USAID Mali funds education activities across nine regions of Mali. With $18.5 million in funding in 2018, the education portfolio includes activities to support the government of Mali to ensure children and youth have equitable access to quality, relevant education. Priority goals include: 1) Improved early grade reading outcomes for primary grades; 2) Increased community engagement for more accountability and better learning outcomes; and 3) Increased equitable access to relevant education services for conflict-affected children and youth.
The Health Office manages a $69.3 million portfolio for 2018 to improve the overall health of the Malian population. This portfolio includes activities related to health systems strengthening, maternal and child health, family planning, malaria, HIV/AIDS, nutrition, and water, sanitation, and hygiene – all of which are aligned with the U.S. and Malian governments’ strategic health priorities. These activities, many of which work in collaboration with the Mission’s other offices, seek to increase Malians’ ability to plan, finance, and manage their health system and their own health (at the family, household, community, district, regional, and national levels) to create a healthier population that is resilient and has a prosperous future. USAID-supported health programs are being implemented in 991 health zones in the regions of Sikasso, Kayes, Koulikoro, parts of Mopti and Bamako, and the district of Gao, which together represent about 14.7 million people, or 75 percent of the population.
The Peace, Democracy, and Governance Office manages a $11 million portfolio of complementary programs to address the core peacebuilding and democratic governance needs in Mali. This includes a focus on key U.S. Foreign Assistance priorities such as the Security Governance Initiative; Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership; Countering Violent Extremism; Women, Peace, and Security; and Trafficking in Persons to advance peace, democracy, and human rights in Mali.
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Last updated: September 28, 2020
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