The following is attributable to Spokesperson Tom Babington:

Today, USAID Administrator Mark Green signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Head of International Relations for the Comunità di Sant'Egidio, Mauro Garofalo, Ph.D., to coordinate country- and regional-level activities in the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

USAID values the highly respected work of Sant'Egidio, internationally recognized for its peace-building role in conflict zones, swift humanitarian responses orchestrated through and with its international network of volunteers, and innovative approaches to addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This MOU draws on the organizations' long history of convening religious actors and faith-based leaders at regional conferences and gatherings to focus attention on human dignity and vital development and humanitarian needs.

The MOU is part of USAID's continuing effort to expand its partner base, including with local and faith-based organizations.

USAID hopes, by virtue of this MOU, to find shared areas of concern in which collaborative effort between the two organizations can help to strengthen the results of their respective programming, and make a greater positive impact on the communities they jointly serve.