U.S. Government Assistance: Success Stories

U.S. Border Security Programs Hailed A Success in Georgia Georgia has made rapid progress in controlling its borders as a result of U.S. Government assistance. The establishment of a computerized command and control system and communications upgrades has improved many areas: border post facilities, extensive training of border police and customs officials. These have led to management improvements which have amplified Georgia's ability to prevent the passage of terrorists, weapons, and illegal drugs. Enhanced infrastructure at ports of entry along with competent inspectors now enables customs officials to seize contraband at an increasing rate as well as augment customs revenue. In 2006, Georgia's border police and customs authorities foiled 148 smuggling attempts, increased drug seizures and detected 131 cases of forged entry documents.  Full Text Operation Provide Hope Supplies Life-Saving Medicines The Department of State humanitarian program Operation Provide Hope (OPH), working through U.S. private voluntary organizations (PVOs) has been providing assistance to the Former Soviet Union since 1992. This assistance often comes in the form of donated medicines and medical supplies. Sometimes, these donations can mean the difference between life and death.  Read more on Operation Provide Hope in Belarus, Tajikistan, and Georgia.  Armenia: Newly Equipped and Furnished Ambulatory in Refugee Village Counterpart Humanitarian Assistance Program/Armenia (CHAP) has been donating clothing, boots, household items, bedding, school supplies and other necessary items since February of 2003. In summer 2006, CHAP took the initiative to collaborate with Department of State (DOS) funded partner organizations such as IRD, UMCOR, Rostropovich Foundation and SAE to launch a project in Nor Artamet. At an event on November 3, CHAP received one FEU container of Primary Care Kits, part of which was donated to the village ambulatory, while DOS Humanitarian Assistance partner organizations jointly distributed humanitarian assistance. UMCOR and IRD provided medicine and hygiene kits, ARDA Foundation distributed food, and SAE mobile medical team provided free medical check-ups and services for the entire village population. Full Text | More on U.S. Assistance Efforts in Armenia Moldova: School Renovation To Keep Children Warm Next Winter On May 8, the Auxiliary Boarding School in Grinauts Village, Moldova was reopened after extensive renovations. The school, constructed in 1936, houses over 100 children between the ages of 6 and 16. Funded through the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs' Office of the Coordinator of Assistance to Europe and Eurasia (EUR/ACE) Small Reconstruction Program, the renovation project installed new windows in all of the school buildings; previously, children were forced to wear overcoats and other cold weather clothing indoors throughout the winter months. A ceremony to mark the reopening was attended by EUR's Director of Humanitarian Programs for Europe and Eurasia, Gerald Oberndorfer, local authorities, and representatives of international donor organizations.  Full Text