The U.S. National Security Strategy places great emphasis on the role of international development in securing our nation and helping fight terrorism. In March 2003, President George W. Bush announced 19 international development initiatives, which are implemented in part or whole by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Presidential Initiatives direct funding to key programs in health, education, environment, infrastructure, and trade in 143 developing countries. The numerous programmatic successes in these areas less than a year since the initiatives began include:
Afghanistan Road Initiative
All of the 389 kilometers (242 miles) of the U.S. portion of the Kabul-Kandahar Highway were completed by December 2003. As a result, more than 35 percent of Afghanistan's 20.6 million residents, who live near this portion of the highway and use it for economic opportunities, will cut their travel times in half.
Africa Education Initiative
As many as 25,000 educators have been trained so far under this initiative, and candidates from more than 30 Sub-Saharan countries have been identified for scholarships.
Centers for Excellence in Teacher Training (CETT)
Under CETT's directive, 2,417 trainers and teachers were trained in Latin America and the Caribbean in the past year to help improve the quality of reading instruction to first- through third-grade students in poor and disadvantaged communities.
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria
More than 150 grant proposals in 93 countries have been approved. U.S. contributions resulted in $1.5 billion over a two-year period for these grants, which include programs to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS in Thailand ($50 million) and India ($26 million), support health-care initiatives in Swaziland ($30 million), and provide an antiretroviral program to Nigeria ($28 million) that will reach up to 20,000 HIV-infected persons in its first two years.
Initiative to End Hunger in Africa
Thousands of communities benefited from more than 30 new agricultural technologies based on USAID efforts. The technology include: new fertilization techniques to help 10,000 households; plant hybridization, which aims to assist 4,000 farmers and distribute more than 64,000 plants; stress tolerant crops to be delivered to 250,000 households in nine countries; and more. Nine new biotechnology programs were also initiated.
Central American Free Trade Agreement Initiative (CAFTA)
Under CAFTA's guidance, 27,922 people received training and five countries were given technical assistance. Roundtables, seminars, and forums on trade issues were held throughout the region, including a seminar in which 43 Central Americans were trained to participate on Central American Negotiating Teams.
Clean Energy Initiative
As a result of this initiative, electrification in under-developed communities in India has extended the number of hours individuals can work, helped send children to school, and reduced the average household monthly electricity bill by about 50 percent. Under the Global Village Energy Partnership, improved energy sources have contributed to better economic and social services for more than five million people.
Digital Freedom Initiative
Since its inception in March 2003, the initiative has launched innovative efforts in Senegal to expand information and communications technologies for micro, small, and medium enterprises. It is also working to represent the IT industry to government and regional decision makers in an effort to move telecommunication reforms forward in Senegal. Activities under this program will commence in Peru and Indonesia this year.
Trade for African Development and Enterprise
To date, the Africa Growth and Opportunity Act under this initiative has created more than 180,000 jobs in southern Africa. Over 50,000 jobs were created in countries such as Lesotho.
Water for the Poor
This initiative helped give 19 million people improved access to safe and sanitized water supplies. In the West Bank, wells and pipelines nearly doubled the amount of water available to 400,000 residents. In Eritrea, USAID funded the provision of emergency water supplies and the creation of a sustainable management system, helping 35,000 people affected by recurring droughts.
Of the 19 Presidential Initiatives, 12 reported to the Online Presidential Initiative Network (OPIN) during 2003. The remaining seven initiatives are underway and will report their status in 2004. For more information about USAID's contribution to the Presidential Initiative, please visit www.usaid.gov/about_usaid/presidential_initiative.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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