Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- The U.S. Charge d’Affaires Nicholas Dean and USAID Mission Director to Bangladesh, Richard Greene, on Sunday announced the commitment of more than $180 million in development assistance to Bangladesh in 2011 through the programs of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), an increase of over US$ 20 million from the previous year.
This assistance reflects the US government’s ongoing support to the people of Bangladesh to achieve its long-term development objectives as reflected in the Government of Bangladesh’s 6th Five Year Plan, a US embassy announcement said in Dhaka on Sunday.
US Chargé d’Affaires Nicholas Dean said, "This increase in development assistance emphasizes the United States’ long-term commitment to cooperate with Bangladesh to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development."
With these funds, the U.S. government will support development activities in five major areas: Democracy and Governance; Food Security; Population, Health, Nutrition and Education; Climate Change and Environment; and Humanitarian and Food assistance.
For Democracy and Governance, USAID will provide approximately US$13 million to build Bangladesh’s capacity for democratic representation, strengthen its institutions of good governance, promote human rights, and support a culture of tolerance.
The USAID will also invest approximately US$61 million in population, health, and nutrition programs to promote voluntary family planning; improve maternal and child health; prevent and treat tuberculosis; and support prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh.
This assistance is part of the U.S. Government’s multi-country Global Health Initiative. In addition, approximately $4 million will be provided in support of basic education.
In support of Food Security, USAID will provide approximately $US 45 million to increase agricultural production, stimulate economic growth, increase incomes, and promote improved maternal and child nutrition.
This initiative is part of US Government’s multi-country Food Security Initiative, called Feed the Future.
Under the Climate Change and Environment program , USAID will provide more than $17 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the resilience of communities to the negative impacts of climate change, and promote conservation of biodiversity. In addition, USAID will help the Government of Bangladesh expand its clean energy programs.
The USAID will also provide approximately $42 million in basic humanitarian assistance, to improve the availability of food, increase the purchasing power of poor people, improve disaster readiness, and provide basic health and nutrition services to highly vulnerable populations.
The U.S. Government has provided more than $5.8 billion in assistance to Bangladesh since 1971. Established by President John F. Kennedy in 1962, USAID marks its 50th anniversary as an agency in 2012. Across the globe, USAID's 110 missions will be celebrating USAID's 50th anniversary throughout the year with in-country activities.
BBN/SSR/SI-02Oct11-4:36 pm (BST)