For Immediate Release

Office of Press Relations
press@usaid.gov

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The below is attributable to Spokesperson Jessica Jennings:

Today, Administrator Samantha Power met with Elisabeth “Liesje” Schreinemacher, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands, to discuss efforts to support the people of Ukraine, bolster food security, and protect and promote the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls.

Administrator Power and Minister Schreinemacher discussed the Netherland’s expansion of its efforts to help Ukrainians prepare for winter amid the Russian Federation’s brutal war. She discussed USAID’s direct budget support of the Government of Ukraine. She also provided updates on the Agency’s recently launched Agriculture Resilience Initiative - Ukraine (AGRI-Ukraine), a USAID-led effort to bolster Ukrainian agricultural production and exports, support Ukraine’s embattled economy, and help alleviate the global food security crisis exacerbated by Putin’s invasion. Administrator Power encouraged Minister Schreinemacher to join this important effort as a supporter of AGRI-Ukraine.

The Administrator and Minister discussed the broader global food security crisis and action needed in response to the projection that the number of people who are experiencing wasting – the most acute, life-threatening stage of starvation – will increase. They also discussed the UN 2023 Water Conference, which the Netherlands will co-host with Tajikistan, the launch of USAID’s new Water Strategy and potential opportunities for coordination on access to water, particularly in agricultural settings.

Administrator Power highlighted the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to empowering women and girls, including promoting their sexual and reproductive health and rights, as a central part of the U.S. development agenda. She expressed the Agency’s interest in deepening its partnership around this important issue to help reach more women, girls, and their families globally.

Samantha Power Elisabeth “Liesje” Schreinemacher AGRI-Ukraine 2022 Global Food Crisis UN 2023 Water Conference
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