COVID-19
Speeches Shim
To date, we have committed more than $1 billion to benefit the global COVID response and we want to assure everyone that we’ll continue to ensure that funding and scientific efforts on this front will remain a central and coordinated part of the USG’s response. Since the outbreak began, the Department of State and USAID have provided almost $400 million throughout Africa, and that’s devoted to emergency health, humanitarian, economic, and development assistance specifically aimed at helping governments, international organizations, and NGOs fight the COVID-19 pandemic.
Every year, June is celebrated as LGBTI Pride Month. During this month, we honor the contributions LGBTI people have made to the world as we know it today, and raise awareness of the injustices LGBTI people continue to face due to their sexual orientation and gender identity/expression.
Fulfilling the President’s Generous Commitment to Provide Critical Medical Supplies Across the Globe
Today, the United States is announcing more than $194 million in new assistance, including nearly $180 million to support the purchase of ventilators.
We are grateful for the President's leadership in advancing religious freedom around the world, and we are honored USAID will play a critical role in the implementation of the Executive Order he signed earlier today. Americans have always believed our first freedom is the freedom of religion, and it is a key component of our national security strategy. Whether in response to genocide committed against Christians and Yazidis in Northern Iraq, or the ethnic cleansing of the Muslim Rohingya in Burma, the institutional culture regarding international religious freedom has become a top priority at USAID.
Memorial Day, first observed in 1868 to honor the sacrifices of those who served in the Civil War, is now the day when we Americans pause to remember all the men and women who gave their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Along with the men and women of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), I will take time this Memorial Day to honor the ultimate sacrifice made by American service members.
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing nearly $23.4 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help end the ongoing outbreak of Ebola in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and neighboring countries, the second-largest outbreak of the disease on record. This brings the total funding from USAID since the beginning of the outbreak in August 2018 to over $340 million, which includes support for regional Ebola-preparedness activities in the DRC and neighboring countries. Across the U.S. Government, since the beginning of the outbreak, the United States has contributed nearly $600 million in support of the efforts of the Government of the DRC and partners to end the Ebola outbreak, including more recently through the new U.S.-DRC Privileged Partnership for Peace and Prosperity.
As the largest donor of global health and humanitarian assistance, the United States always has led the world through times of strife, turmoil, and uncertainty. The current pandemic of COVID-19 is no different. Thus far, of the $650.7 million allocated from supplemental funding by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to combat the pandemic globally, we have provided $45.3 million to UN agencies. This is a fraction of USAID’s overall financial support for the UN’s activities, which in Fiscal Year 2019 totaled more than $3.5 billion in funds disbursed.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joins the world in commemorating International Day of Families. Today is a reminder that a strong family base is essential for stable and healthy societies to grow and flourish.
The United States, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing immediate assistance to support efforts in the Republic of Uzbekistan to respond to the partial collapse of the Sardoba Reservoir Dam.
For half a century, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been on the front lines of protecting the U.S. homeland by improving global health security. Thanks to the generosity of the American people, the United States contributed more than $140 billion in global health assistance in the 21st Century alone, including more than $1 billion to strengthen national capacity in partner countries to prevent, detect, and respond to existing and emerging-infectious disease threats.
Today, Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo announced nearly $225 million in additional emergency aid to the people of Yemen, who continue to face the world's largest humanitarian crisis. This funding brings the total humanitarian assistance provided by the U.S. Government in Yemen since Fiscal Year 2019 to more than $1.1 billion.
Additional U.S. Foreign Assistance Builds Upon U.S. Leadership in the Global COVID-19 Response
As we work together to defeat the coronavirus at home, the United States stands with our global partners in their time of need, as we always have. A healthier world means a healthier United States.
The indefatigable Rear Admiral Tim Ziemer is leaving public life after having served his country and ten presidents over 52 years.
The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) joins the world in celebrating World Press Freedom Day. Free and independent journalism is vital to open and democratic societies. The role of journalists is even more important during a public health crisis like the one we face today, when they serve as "first corresponders."
Today, I announced three new funding opportunities as part of the New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Agency's intent to develop NPI Action Plans at all of our Missions around the world.
Malaria thrives in times of crisis. When Ebola struck Africa and disrupted health care, malaria spiked. When Cyclones Idai and Kenneth tore through the Republic of Mozambique, malarious mosquitoes flourished in floodwater. As the humanitarian crisis in Venezuela caused by the criminal Maduro regime spiralled out of control, malaria soared.
Today, we remember the life of vibrant, selfless, and loving Xulhaz Mannan. On April 25, 2016, Xulhaz and his friend, Mahbub Rabbi Tonoy, were brutally murdered by men who tried to stop Xulhaz's fight for the human rights of all people.
On behalf of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), I extend my warmest wishes to Muslims in the United States and around the world for a blessed and joyous Ramadan.
Today, on April 22, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) commemorates this 50th Earth Day by celebrating the many ways our Agency works to increase the health of ecosystems around the world. Our approaches include the conservation, management, and restoration of forests, three major pathways for addressing the habitability of our planet.
The U.S. Government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), is providing $400,000 in immediate assistance to support the response to Tropical Cyclone Harold, which unleashed severe destruction during its week-long path across the southern Pacific Islands.
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