COVID-19
Speeches Shim
The following is attributable to Deputy Spokesperson Tom Babington:
Today, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green spoke over the phone with Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO).
The two officials discussed pressing global health challenges that are facing the world, including the outbreak of pneumonic plague in Madagascar and the ongoing cholera epidemic in Yemen, which has had over one million suspected cases since April 2017.
The United States welcomes the announcement from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia that all humanitarian and commercial goods, including fuel, will be allowed to pass freely through the port of Hudaydah. We also welcome the news that four U.S.-funded cranes will be installed at this port, which are vital to moving life-saving goods into Yemen efficiently. We encourage the Saudi-led Coalition to keep this policy in place - access to vital humanitarian and commercial supplies must be separated from negotiations on security and political conditions. We also call on the international community to fully engage with the Coalition and all parties to the conflict to improve the flow of essential supplies to the Yemeni people.
Today, President Trump outlined his bold vision for American leadership around the globe. As the world's leading development and humanitarian assistance agency, USAID is in the forefront of helping our nation respond to, counter, and prevent complex threats and crises around the globe, while creating a more economically prosperous world.
Today, the United States is announcing nearly $130 million in emergency food assistance to Yemen. This brings total U.S. humanitarian assistance to the people of Yemen to nearly $768 million since October 2016.
USAID Counselor Thomas H. Staal, a former USAID Iraq Mission Director and now one of the agency’s top officials, returned to Iraq December 5-10 to advance U.S. efforts to help Iraq’s most vulnerable communities following the defeat of ISIS.
Today it's my great honor to present Michelle Bekkering from USAID. She's going to be talking on a very important topic not only to her, but to the Foreign Press Center and to the Department of State. Every single year we have supported the annual campaign, the 16 days of activism against gender-based violence, so this is a topic that's relevant for all of us no matter what country you come from.
On Wednesday, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Mark Green called United Kingdom Secretary of State for International Development Penny Mordaunt to congratulate her on her recent appointment. Noting the strong relationship between USAID and the UK's Department for International Development, the Administrator welcomed opportunities for increased cooperation with the UK, especially in addressing mounting humanitarian crises around the world.
The United States remains extremely concerned about the dire humanitarian situation in Yemen. Over the last week, fighting in Sana'a has intensified-killing and injuring hundreds of people. This spike in violence has brought increased suffering to a city of more than one million people who are now trapped inside their homes.
Power Africa is a U.S. Government-led partnership coordinated by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Launched in June 2013, Power Africa brings together the technical capacities, capabilities, resources, and programs of 12 U.S. Government Departments and Agencies and 16 international development partners to provide market-driven solutions to advance the goals of the Electrify Africa Act of 2015, to catalyze small businesses, the power industry, and bring electricity to millions of people for the first time.
Today, the Government of the United States and the Government of Israel entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to advance the common goals of reducing energy poverty and increasing access to energy in sub-Saharan Africa through innovative partnerships between private enterprise, African governments, and foreign assistance.
Ending the AIDS epidemic will only be possible when we come together and when we collaborate. Today, India itself is shouldering the vast majority of the cost to prevent and treat HIV. And this has greatly reduced the government's reliance upon foreign assistance, assistance from other countries. The Indian government, joined by civil society, activists, Indian leaders, committed state leadership, has helped to diminish what was once projected to be an HIV/AIDS crisis.
The U.S. Agency for International Development condemns the recent intercommunal violence in South Sudan's Jonglei State on November 28 that resulted in at least 45 civilian deaths, including six humanitarian aid workers, as well as dozens of injuries. We extend our deepest condolences to the victims and their families.
India's drive to conquer and eliminate TB is an inspiration to all of us, and it's a great example of a country and a cause that we hope to lift up. We are excited to see so many across India making the fight against TB their own fight, from those at the top of the government down to the private sector and even into the world of popular culture. Take Bollywood star Amitabh Bachchan -- I did my very best -- who, after his own battle with TB, took up the cause and now is a great and powerful champion. He is a champion for the importance of early detection and appropriate treatment. He saw that taking steps early to address the disease saved his life. And today, he is out to show all of us that any person, even the most famous entertainer, but also the most remote villager, is vulnerable to TB, but also with early detection, can stop this global killer dead in its tracks.
Tomorrow, on World AIDS Day, the United States reaffirms our commitment to ending HIV/AIDS. This day also serves as a remembrance of the millions who have lost their lives to this disease. Nevertheless, we remain encouraged by the tremendous progress made by the global health community in controlling HIV/AIDS.
You know, I often say, as Administrator at USAID, that the purpose of foreign assistance must be to end the need for its existence. And so, our goal, as an Agency, is to work to foster self-reliance and help host countries on their own journey to both self-reliance and prosperity. In this, we have a wonderful strong partner in India. Together, as we have seen here at GES, we are lifting lives. We are creating opportunities. But as you've heard from both Jennifer and Kathy, I think the important thing is doing so, not only here, but jointly, we are doing so in the region and around the world.
And so, as you hear a little about the history, the 70th anniversary, it's really remarkable to realize how far that relationship has come. Just over 60 years ago, India was a food aid recipient from the United States. So, that was our relationship, a donor-donee relationship. These days, it is a true partnership. We're working together as equals to provide assistance throughout the region and throughout the world. And that's a truly remarkable transformation in a relatively short period of time.
In many ways, our very future depends upon ensuring that women have the tools and the opportunities that they need that give them and us a real chance to thrive. Because that will lead to a powerful wave of innovation and economic energy. So, my request to all of you as you head back home and return to your daily lives: please keep the challenges facing women entrepreneurs at front of mind. It could mean helping us to take steps to finally bridge the gender digital divide. It could mean mentoring a promising female entrepreneur in your city or your village.
The importance of the goals that I've seen here in India have never been more important, not just for the U.S.-India relationship, but for the region and for a larger global interest. Over the last month, we've seen the term Indo-Pacific being used more and more. I think it's a recognition of India's rise to be sure. But I think it's also a recognition of the values that we in the U.S. share with the Government of India, but more importantly with the Indian people.
Today, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced further action to help India in its fight against Tuberculosis (TB). India has the world's highest incidence of TB, with 2.8 million cases annually, and accounts for more than a quarter of the global TB burden. India also has the largest burden of multi-drug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) among all countries, with almost 150,000 cases every year. TB claims over 435,000 Indian lives each year, which places TB among the top ten causes of death in the country.
This week, the United States and India are hosting the Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Hyderabad, India. Now in its eighth year, GES is a preeminent annual entrepreneurship gathering and will welcome 1,500 entrepreneurs, investors, and supporters of entrepreneurs from 150 countries to India. This year marks the first time GES has taken place in South Asia, which reflects the region's strong entrepreneurial achievements and future, as well as India's emergence as a strategic U.S. partner.
At USAID, we believe the purpose of our assistance must be to end the need for its existence. In other words, we want to work with our partners, like the Government of India, to help strengthen its capacity to take on its own challenges, and to lift up the people of India. Not because the U.S. seeks to withdraw - far from it. But because we know that every country and every community wants to provide for a brighter future for its own people.
Pages
Comment
Make a general inquiry or suggest an improvement.