East Africa
USAID's Strategy in East Africa
USAID's regional program in East Africa covers 24 countries which range from extremely fragile to relatively developed. Persistent development challenges in the region include poverty, conflict and disease. These factors are amplified by weak national leadership and pervasive corruption, which further inhibit democratic development, stifle economic progress, contribute to decaying infrastructure and deteriorating public services, and threaten regional stability. Some of the most serious problems are regional in nature. Cross-border conflicts in the Horn of Africa provide opportunities for illicit trade and weapons flows, opportunities for extremists and other destabilizing forces that adversely affect the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. Persistent food insecurity and periodic recurrence of food emergencies negatively affect millions of people in vulnerable groups. Insufficient and deteriorating transportation and communication infrastructure, as well as major policy and bureaucratic obstacles, constrain intra-regional trade and aggravate internal and cross-border conflicts along porous borders.
As a result, political stability and economic development throughout the region continue to be fragile. In addition, the presence of an estimated 30 million HIV/AIDS infected people in sub-Saharan Africa amplifies the inadequacies of already overburdened public health systems that are unable to cope with severe health problems such as malaria and other infectious diseases, and high rates of maternal and child mortality. For the foreseeable future, the HIV/AIDS pandemic will continue to have a major and devastating impact on development -- across sectors -- throughout this region of Africa.
USAID/East Africa actively promotes U.S. national interests in the region by supporting, complementing, and enhancing USAID programs, while managing a unique and innovative program of regional activities. Economic growth, increased foreign investment, and the promotion of international and intra-regional trade are essential components of the U.S. Government's effort to reduce the likelihood that the region will serve as a breeding ground for international terrorist activities. Strengthening regional African organizations and institutions with training and new systems to mitigate conflict enhances the strength of national governments and promotes the application of African solutions to pressing economic and social problems. A reduction in the transmission of HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases will improve health and diminish the risk of future economic disruption and political disintegration throughout the region.
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