Speeches Shim
Last updated: August 12, 2022
On May 3, USAID commemorated one year under Samantha Power’s leadership as Administrator of the Agency. The Administrator thanked the Agency for their work to distribute half a billion COVID vaccines, lead disaster response in 68 countries, and more. Administrator Power and Internews joined three Ukrainian journalists for a conversation about their experiences reporting on the frontlines. They gathered on World Press Freedom Day to affirm the importance of journalism in fighting misinformation in the midst of war. USAID launched a new Youth in Development Policy positioning youth as meaningful, driving partners in development. To celebrate, Administrator Power joined youth Ukrainian leaders to learn about their work to empower young people in Ukraine. Deputy Administrator Isobel Coleman attended the International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. She emphasized the importance of investing in climate resilient infrastructure now to save on humanitarian assistance when disaster strikes later.
USAID launched three projects to help close the $40 trillion infrastructure gap in low- and middle-income countries. USAID’s new programs will provide substantial investments in quality childcare, digital financial services, and bridging the digital divide. The White House released a report highlighting efforts by USAID and other government agencies to advance the human rights of LGBTQI+ persons globally. USAID advancements include appointing a Senior LGBTQI+ coordinator, integrating stronger inclusivity into our policies and programs, and more. USAID Global Health lead Atul Gawande traveled to Poland to coordinate USAID’s response to rising health needs in Ukraine. USAID and the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a $670 million investment in food assistance for countries impacted by Putin’s war. To help mitigate the global food shortage, USAID will bolster existing food operations in six African countries facing severe food insecurity.
On Earth Day, USAID announced a new Climate Strategy to combat the global climate crisis. By 2030, the strategy aims to achieve six climate targets, like eliminating 6 billion tons of CO2 and mobilizing $150 billion in climate finance. USAID announced an additional $313 million to continue life-saving support for people in northern Ethiopia. This will allow emergency food and nutrition assistance to meet the needs of nearly 7 million people across the Afar, Amhara, and Tigray regions. Administrator Power, Moldova President Sandu, and U.S. Ambassador to Moldova Logsdon met with members of the Moldovan American community. The Administrator reflected on her recent trip to Moldova and thanked them for their remarkable support for Ukrainian refugees. USAID hosted with Women of Color Advancing, Peace, Security, and Conflict Transformation a higher education student roundtable. Students learned about USAID’s goals and opportunities to collaborate with the Agency.
Administrator Power traveled to Alcorn State University to form a new partnership with the first Black land-grant institution in the United States. USAID will work with Alcorn State to undertake critical research on climate change, sustainable agriculture, and more. At the Our Ocean Conference 2022, USAID announced 24 initiatives to protect our ocean and advance global sustainability. As children return to school in Honduras, USAID delivered on a promise made by Vice President Harris to keep kids healthy in the classroom. USAID provided 504,000 syringes and 220,000 vials of solvent for the Pfizer pediatric vaccine to vaccinate young students against COVID-19. LIXIL, a global housing and sanitation products company, teamed up with USAID to launch the Partnership for Better Living. The program will expand access to affordable sanitation and hygiene solutions in up to 11 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
Administrator Power traveled to the Slovak Republic and Moldova to see firsthand the impact of Putin’s aggression forcing Ukrainians to flee. She also witnessed the war’s reverberating effects on these countries, where USAID is supporting democracy and economic recovery. We celebrated World Health Worker Week by recognizing the integral role health workers play in tackling global health issues. USAID is committed to training and supporting community health workers as they lead the fight against infectious diseases. Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen spoke with prospective partners at an event inviting them to pursue working with USAID. She introduced organizations to WorkwithUSAID.org, a new resource meant to lower barriers partners often face in working with the Agency. USAID announced $114 million in additional humanitarian aid to meet the needs of drought-affected regions in the Horn of Africa.
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