Speeches Shim
“While we are currently battling the COVID-19 outbreak, we must continue to be vigilant against other threats to our public health and safety. Malaria remains a significant challenge and a risk to the health and well-being of Malagasy people,” stated U.S. Ambassador Michael P. Pelletier, as he announced a significant donation from the U.S. Government for the detection and treatment of malaria cases in Madagascar.
The United States Government, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), is responding to the COVID-19 situation in Madagascar by providing $5 million to support cash transfers which are ensuring that vulnerable families in the most affected cities have enough to eat.
The U.S. Government is providing 8,330 metric tons (MT) of food assistance to help feed families in south and southeastern Madagascar during the upcoming lean season, which is expected to be severe. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) provides the funding for this food assistance, which will support the nutritional needs of over 350,000 people, including 20,500 pregnant and lactating women.
The donation is thanks to a collaborative effort between the United States Africa Command, which provided the funds to buy the locally-made face coverings, the Madagascar Ministry of Public Health, which identified the areas for the face coverings to be delivered, and USAID Madagascar, whose IMPACT health project operated by PSI Madagascar arranged for the delivery of the protective equipment via the Regional Directorates of Health to the front-line workers. The donation in Moramanga was also supported by staff from the USAID RANO WASH project
In celebration of the International Day of Cooperatives, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is pleased to announce that a total of 1,791 vanilla farmers from five cooperatives were awarded the Rainforest Alliance certification. This achievement was earned through the hard work of the farming cooperatives and with the support of USAID’s Mikajy project. The Rainforest Alliance provides an internationally recognized and respected certification for food producers that meet demanding sustainability standards.
Sustainable Vanilla for People and Nature (SVPN), a three-year, $3 million activity co-financed by USAID and McCormick, is part of USAID’s Conservation and Communities Project (CCP). The SVPN Activity is designed to conserve biodiversity, avoid deforestation, and improve farmers’ livelihoods through sustainable vanilla production in the Sava and Analanjirofo regions of Madagascar. Through its Purpose-Led Performance initiatives, McCormick has committed to sustainably sourcing its herbs and spices, beginning with 100% of its branded iconic ingredients, including vanilla, and to increasing the resilience of 90% of the farmers who grow their iconic raw materials by 2025.
FOULPOINTE — The U.S. Government, through the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Presidential Malaria Initiative (PMI), is continuing its commitment to keep the Malagasy people safe from malaria. The Ministry of Public Health and USAID/PMI have launched a community distribution of 1 million long-lasting insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets. The nets and the distribution campaign are funded by USAID, with a total value of $3.88 million.
TOAMASINA — The United States government has announced a $4.5 million donation of modern medical materials and equipment to help local health workers improve the provision of quality health services in Madagascar.
Southern Madagascar has entered its lean season - the period between harvests when less food and less food variety are available - and a recent survey forecasts that more people in that region will suffer from malnutrition.
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