Speeches Shim
This five year (2017-2022), $20 million Niti Sambad program has a central role in achieving USAID/Nepal’s goal of advancing a more democratic, prosperous, and resilient Nepal by strengthening inclusion and participation in political processes. This program will support democratic institutions, strengthen inclusion into political processes and harness political competition as an effective vehicle through which citizens can democratically choose their leaders who will, in turn, set a policy agenda responsive to the needs of the public.
Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago comprise one-quarter of the Philippines’ total population and hold significant potential for economic growth; however, instability—brought about by poverty, marginalization and conflict—has impeded development in many areas throughout the region. USAID partners with national and local governments and civil society to address the root causes of these challenges. By enhancing governance and civic engagement, improving access to quality social services, protecting life-sustaining natural resources and expanding economic opportunities—especially among youth in the most vulnerable communities—USAID is helping make way for families and communities throughout the region to pursue a more stable future.
USAID’s Catalyzing Cross-Party Initiatives project improves BiH’s overall reform prospects by engaging political parties in both BiH entities in cross-party discourse and policy development that focuses on pressing social and economic problems.
USAID’s Independent Media Empowerment Program will sustain independent media in BiH by providing direct support for media that produce professional and independent reporting, and supporting the legal representation for media organizations and journalists targeted by politically motivated defamation lawsuits.
Violence and insecurity continue to result in civilian casualties and hinder humanitarian operations in northeastern Nigeria. A December 2 person-borne improvised explosive device (PBIED) attack killed at least 13 civilians in Borno State’s town of Bui, while a November 28 attack on a team of health workers forced the suspension of vaccination activities in Borno’s Gubio Local Government Area (LGA).
USAID’s Safaa Paani (WASH Recovery) project increases sustainable access to safe drinking water, improves sanitation through promoting proper hygiene and construction of public toilets, and heightens awareness of menstrual hygiene through school programs in two earthquake-affected districts.
On November 4, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) intercepted a missile launched by Al Houthi forces toward the KSA’s capital city of Riyadh, prompting the KSA to temporarily close all of Yemen’s air, land, and sea ports on November 6. Although the KSA officially reopened the ports in late November, the KSA-led Coalition has only cleared a limited number of commercial and humanitarian shipments to enter Yemen’s Red Sea ports. No fuel vessels have been allowed to enter Red Sea ports since November 6, resulting in sharp fuel price increases and forcing at least five major cities to shut down fuel-reliant water supply systems.
Since mid-November, Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) attacks have killed at least 200 civilians and exacerbated dire humanitarian conditions in the SARG-besieged Eastern Ghouta region of Rif Damascus Governorate, international media report. Relief agencies operating in the region have highlighted the urgent need for emergency medical evacuations, and report that Eastern Ghouta residents are resorting to extreme negative coping mechanisms, including skipping meals, eating expired food, begging, or consuming animal fodder and refuse, as a result of deteriorating food security conditions.
Persistent attacks against civilians are a major concern for humanitarian organizations. During the week of November 19, media reported that violence in Nigeria’s Adamawa State resulted in the deaths of 90 people, including an attack on November 21 in Adamawa’s town of Mubi that resulted in nearly 60 deaths, as well as an armed group attempt to gain control of Borno State’s Magumeri town that resulted in the deaths of at least three civilians on November 25.
The East Africa Trade and Investment Hub (the Hub) is the U.S. Government’s flagship project under the presidential Trade Africa initiative, launched in 2013 to boost trade and investment with and within Africa. The Hub partners with East African and U.S. businesses to attract investment needed to transform the East African private sector into vibrant global trading partners. Improving the region’s trade competitiveness, encouraging the diversification of exports beyond natural resources, and promoting broader, more-inclusive economic growth will lead to more food secure and resilient East African communities.
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