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Sterling results in Tanzania after US investment
2005-06-24 09:25:09
By Pamela White
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has a successful 45+ year history working in Tanzania.
Collaborating with partners throughout the entire country, we have achieved a great deal and are continuing to make a positive impact on the lives of Tanzanian women, children, and families.
I am pleased to provide an overview of USAID’s 2005 program areas that are bringing an estimated $65 million dollars in assistance to the Tanzanian Government and people.
USAID also supports the World Food Program’s aid to refugees in Tanzania valued at approximately $19 million in 2005.
Health activities improve the health of Tanzanian families through maternal health and nutrition programs that augment district provider reproductive and child health skills, increase focused antenatal care practices (for malaria & syphilis), and perinatal service delivery.
Activities also incorporate behaviour change to increase awareness of reproductive health products, social marketing of contraceptives and data for decision making.
USAID is also working to improve infectious disease surveillance with the National Institute of Medical Research.
HIV/AIDS activities are reducing transmission and impact of the pandemic by: 1) Increasing prevention service for youth and young adults, including expanding abstinence and fidelity activities; 2) Improving identification of and care for people infected with HIV/AIDS through voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) and mother-to-child transmission programs (MTCT); and 3) Providing and improving treatment and care for those infected and affected by HIV including increasing support for children left vulnerable due to HIV/AIDS, including orphans.
As one of 15 priority countries in the U.S President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, the USAID/Tanzania program will help prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS through the development of comprehensive and integrated prevention, care and treatment programs.
Economic Growth activities focus on increasing rural incomes and improving agricultural productivity and market access by:
1) Increasing the sale and trade of cash crop, such as coffee, citrus fruits, rice, sugar cane and spices,
2) Improving Tanzania`s use of the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) by providing capacity building skills in AGOA strategy development, management, pricing, marketing,
3) Strengthening producer organizations to increase the quantity and quality of agricultural production and technologies, improved use of seeds, increasing crop yields and expansion of tree nurseries.
Environment & Natural Resources activities focus on conserving biodiversity by improving rural livelihoods over broad-based areas by:
1) Supporting local actions that establish income enhancing partnerships with local community based organizations and women`s groups,
2) Implementing the National Inter-grated Coastal Environment Management Strategy,
3) Promoting sustainable coastal and marine resource management through co-management of near-shore fisheries areas, small-scale enterprise development, the introduction of marine culture activities and coastal tourism,
4) Facilitating community conservation efforts in targeted landscapes and in pilot wildlife management areas, including environmental education, social mobilization, materials development, and out-reach through a very successful Environmental Awards program, 5) Applying policies and laws that integrate conservation and development.
Democracy and Governance promote increased public accountability at the national and local levels by:
1) Building the capacity of Parliament`s budget focused officials and committees, those responsible for health, HIV/AIDS, environment & education policies, new women Parliamentarians, and emphasizing subjects such as sound research practices and how to fight corruption and monitor poverty reduction,
2) Strengthening civil society and NGO advocacy net-works – 39 Tanzanian non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and 16 advocacy and policy-oriented business associations are receiving training in advocacy, financial management and public service delivery.
Education activities focus on improving the quality and learning environment in primary and secondary schools in Zanzibar (Unguja & Pemba) in predominantly Muslim communities through:
1) Government training programs,
2) Strengthening teacher skills,
3) Promoting civil society participation,
4) Equipping classrooms, and
5) Improving educational access for children with disabilities and girls.
Food Aid USAID supports the World Food Program (WFP) in Tanzania. From October 2004 – June 2005, USAID`s contributions totaled approximately 38,000 metric tons (MT) of food aid assistance valued at approximately $ 19 million.
WFP`s programs provide essential nutritional support to over 400,000 refugees in Tanzania.
I welcome views and opinions about our work and look forward to working on the challenges ahead.
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