Speeches Shim
Last updated: July 26, 2021
Administrator Power presented USAID's 2022 budget request to the Senate Foreign Relations and House Foreign Affairs Committees. As the world's premier development agency, USAID will continue to tackle the toughest challenges and help those most in need. Ongoing conflict in Afghanistan is driving rising humanitarian needs as millions lack food and food prices soar. In just one week, USAID and WFP delivered emergency food to 380,000 people across the country. The U.S. continued to deliver vaccines across the globe to help end the COVID-19 pandemic. Millions of vaccines were delivered to Afghanistan, Bhutan, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Moldova, and Nepal. This week, Administrator Power spoke at the International Religious Freedom Summit. She stressed USAID's commitment to protecting religious minorities and defending human rights.
USAID continues to support the people of Timor-Leste who are recovering from Tropical Cyclone Seroja. Farmers are receiving seeds and tools to replant staple crops destroyed by floods. Ten years after South Sudan's independence, nearly two-thirds of the population faces hunger and one-third is displaced. Administrator Power called on the country's leaders to end the conflict and protect human rights. To help end the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. delivered millions of vaccines to Bangladesh, Pakistan, El Salvador, and Peru. Supported by Power Africa and USAID, the Kipeto Wind Farm in Kenya is now generating clean electricity to 250,000 households.
As COVID-19 cases surge in India, the U.S. continues to support the country. Additional USAID assistance announced this week will help India with its response efforts and strengthen the country’s healthcare supply chains. In Syria, humanitarian needs rise higher than ever due to conflict, COVID-19, and economic crisis. To help address this dire situation, the U.S. announced $436 million in additional life saving aid. Each month, U.S. aid reaches 6 million Syrians. There are devastating reports of famine conditions and human rights atrocities in Tigray, Ethiopia. Up to 900,000 people could face death, with millions more at risk if urgent action is not taken. Assistant to the Administrator Sarah Charles spoke at the House Foreign Affairs Committee about the deteriorating conditions. For the first time, in honor of Pride Month, USAID raised the Progress flag. As Administrator Power noted, this is a huge step in recognizing that what we see matters.
In Venezuela, 7 million people need humanitarian assistance and 5 million have fled; totaling almost half the country's population. Last week, the U.S. announced $407 million to Venezuelans and communities hosting them. USAID is providing emergency food, water, and health aid. USAID sent emergency medical supplies to Pakistan and Nepal where COVID-19 cases are surging. The United States continues to support countries fighting the pandemic. Administrator Power announced new initiatives in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. These initiatives promote good governance and economic growth, enabling people to have more opportunities at home. On World Refugee Day, USAID reaffirmed its commitment to the millions of refugees around the world. The U.S. will continue to provide life-saving aid to refugees and stand by the countries that support them.
In her first trip at USAID, Administrator Power traveled to Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to advance USAID’s efforts on governance, economics and security. In Honduras, she visited USAID sites that provide humanitarian support and promote economic growth and good governance. In El Salvador, Administrator Power met with youth who have gained significant economic opportunities due to USAID’s education and job-training programs. In Guatemala, Administrator Power launched the $39 million entrepreneurship and Development Innovation Initiative, an alliance with private sector partners to help young people have economic opportunities. To help address urgent needs caused by COVID-19, USAID announced $91 million for food, water and healthcare across Africa.
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