The
U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is the
official U.S. Government agency responsible for international
cooperation through development assistance. USAID's history
is rooted in the Marshall Plan for reconstruction of Europe
after World War II and the Truman Administration's Point
Four Program. In 1961, President John F. Kennedy signed
the Foreign Assistance Act into law which created USAID by
Executive Order. Since that time, USAID has been the principal
U.S. Government agency to extend assistance to countries
recovering from disaster, trying to escape poverty, and
engaging in democratic reforms.
The USAID Mission
in Honduras forms part of the U.S. Embassy and supports
U.S. foreign policy by carrying out U.S. Government economic
assistance to the people and Government of Honduras. USAID
signed its first bilateral assistance program with the Government
of Honduras in 1961, under
President John F. Kennedy's "Alliance for Progress."
History of USAID in Honduras
During the past 40 years, USAID has provided more than $2 billion in economic assistance to Honduras. These funds have focused on improving the socioeconomic development of the country by promoting economic stability, rapid and sustained economic growth, and the equitable distribution of the benefits of this growth. These goals have been attained by supporting Honduran efforts to:
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diversify
agricultural production,
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expand
exports,
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provide credit for micro-enterprise,
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protect the environment,
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improve food security and sanitary conditions, as well
as increase access to health services,
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improve the quality and expand the reach of primary and
vocational education for children, youth, and young adults,
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provide training opportunities, and
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strengthen
democratic institutions.
Significant
results have been achieved over the years through USAID's joint
efforts with the people and Government of Honduras and other
donors. For example:
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in 1960, less than 30% of Hondurans had access to potable
water; today, more than 75% do,
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infant mortality has been reduced from 13% in 1960 to just a little
over 3% today,
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between 1960 and today, the illiteracy rate dropped from
50% to 18.5%,
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protected areas did not exist 25 years ago; today, over
1.5 million hectares are under improved management as
national parks or wildlife refuges,
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Honduras returned to a democratic government in 1980 and has remained
politically stable with a more independent judiciary system,
and
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nontraditional exports have soared, providing employment
to many Hondurans.
Hurricane Mitch Reconstruction Program
After the devastation caused by Hurricane Mitch in October of 1998, USAID worked with the Honduran government, nongovernmental organizations, the private sector, and the international community to help Honduras in the arduous task of reconstruction and transformation. The goal was to not only restore the country to pre-Hurricane Mitch levels, but to also make Honduras stronger and better capable of sustaining its own development. With the successful completion of the Hurricane Mitch Reconstruction Program, USAID remains committed to helping Honduras continue along the path toward sustained economic growth, an improved standard of living for all of its citizens, and the consolidation and strengthening of its democracy.
Looking
Ahead: USAID Strategy 2003-2008
This is a critical period
for Honduras. The focus of USAID has shifted from
reconstruction towards key areas of reform that will lay
the groundwork for a more profound transformation in the
country. Despite the tremendous gains made in post-Mitch
recovery, Honduras continues to face daunting long-term
development challenges that will continue to stress its
limited resources.
An international initiative giving impetus to reform in development efforts is the Poverty Reduction Strategy. USAID provided assistance to the Government of Honduras in drafting the Poverty Reduction Strategy, and has and will continue to play an important role in financing key elements of its implementation.
From
2003 through 2008, USAID will support the agency's regional
strategy for Central America and Mexico for a more democratic
and prosperous region, sharing the benefits of trade-led
growth broadly among its citizens. This five-year strategy
for Honduras is also directly aligned with the goals set
forth by the Millennium Challenge Account, which are: governing
justly, investing in people, and promoting economic freedom.
In
supporting Honduras' development goals, the United States is
joined by other major donor nations and multilateral institutions
(now known as the G-16 donor group). This unity of purpose
and consensus on priorities strengthens USAID's belief that the country will continue to build upon the
foundations of development laid out by the post-Mitch reconstruction
and transformation program.
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