Speeches Shim
As of May 7, Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) airstrikes, ground clashes, and shelling continued in Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS)-held southern areas of the capital city of Damascus, including the unofficial Palestinian refugee camp of Yarmouk, international media report. As of late April, an estimated 3,500 Palestinian refugees had fled the Yarmouk camp due to the conflict, according to international media. Those remaining in the camp are sheltering in basements with limited access to food, medicine, and safe drinking water, as the UN has been unable to access the camp since 2015.
Gender equality is defined in USAID’s Gender Equality and Female Empowerment Policy as a state “in which both men and women have equal opportunity to benefit from and contribute to economic, social, cultural and political development; enjoy socially valued resources and rewards; and realize their human rights.” The U.S. Agency for International Development Regional Development Mission for Asia (USAID/RDMA) is committed to collaborating with partners to bridge gender inequality gaps in programming to advance inclusive growth by strengthening women’s economic empowerment and increasing women’s and girls’ voices in decision-making, leadership and science.
Through this project, USAID works to make youth the principal agents of social and political change in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Yobe State Commissioner for Health declared a cholera outbreak in Nigeria’s BadeLocal Government Area (LGA) in early April. Health actors recorded more than 340suspected cholera cases in the state, more than 95 percent of which were from Bade,between March 28 and April 16.
Smallholder farmers cultivate 90% of the arable land in Malawi and face many challenges including declining soil fertility, erratic rainfall, land constraints, and poor institutional support. With limited access to credit, inputs, and price information, the typical farmer struggles to support a family of six on only one hectare of land. Also, Malnutrition particularly is a major problem causing stunting for 47% of children under the age of 5.
Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) continue to report bureaucratic impediments, such as extra fees related to staff work permits and communications equipment, which restrict access to populations in need across South Sudan. Despite significant humanitarian access constraints, relief agencies—including USAID partners—continue to provide life-saving emergency assistance to populations in need throughout the country.
In Afghanistan, trafficking of men, women, and children remains a major national concern. Impoverished and marginalized youth are especially vulnerable to trafficking and face consistent abuse, violence, harassment, exploitation, and other human rights violations. Compounding the problem, these vulnerable populations lack awareness of their basic legal rights and often, they respond to harassment by yielding to requests for bribes and other solicitations. Consequently, patterns of exploitation, trafficking, and abuse persist unchallenged and tolerated by a community that lacks the tools to counter unlawful misconduct.
Government of Nigeria (GoN) authorities officially reopened the road from BornoState’s capital city of Maiduguri to Borno’s Banki town in Bama Local Government Area(LGA) on March 24. GoN officials had closed the road to civilian traffic in September 2014 due to escalated conflict in the area. The reopened route restores overland access toBorno’s town of Bama, prompting Borno officials to begin the first phase of internally displaced person (IDP) returns to the town on April 2.
The Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) continues its military offensive in Rif Damascus Governorate’s Eastern Ghouta region. As of April 6, the SARG had retaken the marjority of the region from armed groups Ahrar al-Sham (AAS) and Faylaq ar-Rahman (FAR). Eastern Ghouta’s Douma town and surrounding areas—controlled by armed group Jaish al-Islam (JAI)—remains the last opposition-held area, international media report.
USAID/Colombia’s Development Credit Authority (DCA) loan portfolio guarantee incentivizes financial institutions to increase access to finance to a broader client base and spur inclusive economic growth. Micro-, small-, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in rural areas are underserved by the financial sector, and Colombian bank partners have an interest in expanding their presence in rural areas while offering credit and better loan terms to new and existing customers.
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