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Speeches Shim
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has contributed $8 million dollars to support the joint Government of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and World Health Organization (WHO) Strategic Response Plan to the outbreak (currently budgeted at $56.7 million). In addition to this funding, USAID has provided personal protective equipment, laboratory supplies, the mobilization of two existing mobile labs, and a robust presence on the ground.
U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green will travel to St. Michaels, Maryland, June 3-5, to co-host the 50th Annual Tidewater Meeting with the Chair of the Development Assistance Committee of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Administrator Green will join other leaders of major bilateral and multilateral aid agencies to discuss the challenges that face the international development community, and identify shared priorities for collective action, including to prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of beneficiaries.
This week, the World Health Organization (WHO) recognized the Republic of Ghana and the Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal for eliminating trachoma as a public health problem. USAID congratulates the Governments of Ghana and Nepal on this tremendous success.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Acting Deputy Administrator David Moore will travel to Canada May 30 - June 2, where he will attend the G7 Development and Finance Ministerial Meetings in Whistler. USAID Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator for Economic Growth, Education, and Environment Michelle Bekkering will accompany him.
At USAID, we believe the purpose of international assistance must be ending its need for existence. Not because we wish to retreat from our friends, but instead, because we believe in our friends, and we believe in their -- your -- potential for the future. We believe in human dignity, in the innate desire of every person, every community, and every country to craft and lead its own bright future.
And because this spirit burns bright in the heart of every American, when leaders in places like Africa are willing to take on the tough choices and the difficult reforms that are necessary on their journey to self-reliance, we feel an obligation to walk at their side and help as we can. And there is no better story illustrating those principles and that journey than that of the Republic of Korea, a country which years ago arose from the ashes of war to achieve first, self-reliance, and then, prosperity, and is now seeking to help others on their own journeys to self-reliance.
Thank you for being here to witness a historic celebration of partnership, progress, and friendship between the U.S. and the Republic of Korea. At USAID, we believe the purpose of our international assistance must be ending its very need to exist. And we say that not because we seek to retreat from our friends. All to the contrary: we say it because we believe in our friends. We believe in them, and we believe in their potential. And there is no better story illustrating those principles and that journey than Korea, a country which, years ago, rose from the very ashes of war to achieve first self-reliance and then prosperity. And now, Korea is looking to help others as they take on their own journey to self-reliance. America is proud to have played a small part in this process, building on the values that we share; values like democracy, free enterprise, and respect for human dignity.
Today, the United States announced that the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is contributing up to $7 million at this stage to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at this stage. This additional funding, combined with the $1 million USAID committed last week, will provide a total of up to $8 million to help prevent the spread of this deadly disease. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar made the announcement in his address before the 71st World Health Assembly in Geneva, Switzerland.
The fraudulent voting exercise that took place in Venezuela on May 20, 2018 did not reflect true democratic principles and practices. Open, transparent, democratic, citizen-responsive governance is crucial to long-term development and prosperity, and this so-called "election" pulls the Venezuelan people further from that goal. The Maduro regime barred opposition parties and leaders from running, stifled the free press, jailed those who spoke out against the regime's policies, used food as a weapon to gain the votes of the hungry and desperate, and employed the corrupt National Electoral Council to once again manipulate and intimidate the people of Venezuela.
Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green and Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Strategy and Finance for the Republic of Korea (ROK) Kim Dong Yeon signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) toward pursuing our energy goals in Sub-Saharan Africa.
U.S. Agency for International Development Administrator Mark Green will travel to the Republic of Korea May 22-23 to attend and deliver remarks at Korea-Africa Economic Cooperation Conference, held on the margins the African Development Bank's Annual Meeting in Busan.
This weekend, USAID Administrator Mark Green visited Rakhine State in Burma, where he saw first-hand the alarming reality that faces Rohingya communities. During his visit, the Administrator met with representatives of both Rohingya and Rakhine communities supported by USAID in Northern Rakhine and Sittwe to learn about the challenges they face including, lack of basic infrastructure. He was deeply troubled to see Rohingya denied basic access to education and livelihoods, and left dependent on emergency humanitarian relief for food and medical care. Rohingya communities also face harsh restrictions on freedom of movement that run counter to the core tenets of democracy and international human-rights principles. Administrator Green called on Burma's Government to take urgent, concrete steps to fulfill its pledge to allow for the safe, voluntary and dignified returns of Rohingya refugees from Bangladesh, and to fulfill the promise of the country's democratic transition by respecting the human rights, and dignity of all ethnic peoples, regardless of membership in particular ethnic groups or minority communities.
Well, first off, just how I felt. I mean, so much of what I've seen is quite frankly just deeply disturbing. You know, here for example, across the street, you're looking at all those very young children running around and such, and it suddenly dawned on me they were all born here. This is the only reality that they know, and I'm deeply disturbed at lack of sufficient education, the lack of access to proper healthcare, the lack of access to livelihoods, the lack of access to the rights of citizenship. One can only be disturbed.
And it's interesting, the State Counsellor has said that she supports voluntary, safe repatriation of the Muslims back to Rakhine, and what we've been urging all of us -- and I think she agrees -- the best way to encourage repatriation is to demonstrate how serious they all are in creating those conditions. Well, I would suggest in Northern Rakhine, that's obviously a great place where it could be done. So, there is an opportunity here, and where we were this morning, to show seriousness of purpose to make sure that Muslim families and their children can go to school, that they have freedom of association, that they have the right to move around, that they have access to good healthcare, and that they're not dependent upon the generosity of donors. So that, it seems to me, is vitally important. It's the best way to move forward.
First and foremost, thanks to all of you for being here. It shows that you agree with us on the importance of civil society and the importance of democracy. You have probably heard me say I believe in this country's bright future, in the unlimited potential, and that potential can best be reached, can only be reached, with a strong, vibrant civil society, strong media, and listening to the voices of the people. And so, again, I'm very grateful for your being here. It shows that you agree with that importance, that priority.
Good morning, everyone. It's good to be here with all of you. Thank you, Teresa, for that kind introduction. As she mentioned, this is my third visit to Myanmar. Every time I come here, I am impressed both with the beauty of your country and the generosity and the optimism of your people.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green met today with Her Excellency Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, State Counsellor and Union Minister for Foreign Affairs of Burma in Naypyitaw. The Administrator voiced the United States' deep concern about the crisis in Rakhine State, which has displaced nearly 700,000 Rohingya since August 2017. He noted U.S. support for Burma's transition to a peaceful, prosperous, and democratic state, and noted the importance of resolving the crisis to this transition.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced today that it has provided an initial $1 million to combat the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
First, the U.S. and Myanmar. My opinion: the relationship between our two countries is a very special one. America is the leader of the free world. We consider ourselves the foremost champion of the community of democracies. Myanmar is one of the world's youngest democracies. When their students and civil society activists took to the streets not so long ago now demanding freedom and democracy, quite frankly, this country inspired us all. It reminded us why democracy matters, why civil society matters. We stood with the activists in those historic days, and we've proudly supported this democracy ever since.
Because America and Myanmar have this special kinship -- this very special bond and friendship -- I believe that we owe it to each other to be open and honest. Just as we share progress and successes, I think as friends we should also be willing to share concerns, as well. Our close friendship compels us to express honest concerns regarding the crisis with the Rohingya, as well as other ethnic and religious minority groups that have suffered persecution. To be clear, America speaks out on matters of democracy and human rights not because we have all the answers, but because through our history perhaps we have made all the mistakes.
From Bangladesh, obviously, we've come here to Burma. Had a good meeting, not just with the State Counsellor this morning, but with some of the officials who are involved in development in general and, in particular, the challenges facing Rakhine. And those were, I thought, constructive. We'll be continuing on in our conversations. I'm largely here, both in Bangladesh and Burma, to listen, to learn, to get direct input, to try to put together thoughts and observation and analysis for the Secretary of State so that it can help him as he formulates policy, and thinks through America's role.
We had the chance to talk about important issues, obviously development issues, our bread and butter, but also ways that we can work towards confidence building of all the communities so that we can help with the safe, voluntary return of the Rohingya from Bangladesh, and create conditions that allow for that safe, voluntary return. It was a good discussion. It was frank and open, and we look forward to following up.
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Assistant to the Administrator Greg Huger for the Office of Afghanistan and Pakistan Affairs, recently traveled to the United Arab Emirates and Pakistan in support of the Administration's South Asia Strategy, and to India to discuss regional trade opportunities.
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