Speech

USAID/East Africa Acting Regional Director Speech, Mr. Larry Meserve

Signature of Assistance Agreements between the United States of America and the Republic of Djibouti

 | Saturday, September 26, 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is an honor and a privilege to participate in the signing of these bilateral assistance agreements today with the Government of Djibouti.

Today, USAID is providing approximately, $3.8 million for work in three sectors.  This grant will allow our two countries, working in partnership with the people of Djibouti, to continue our work together to improve health especially among Djiboutian women and children; to improve the quality of education for the children of Djibouti, and to strengthen democracy and governance for all of the citizens of Djibouti.       

For nearly seven years, USAID has been working in partnership with the Government and people of Djibouti to achieve some very specific results.  And in the interest of the ultimate beneficiaries – the people of Djibouti --there have been many impressive results. 

For example, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, child immunization rates in rural areas have tripled since 2004, and the under 5 mortality rate has dropped  by 27% since 2002.

In conjunction with the Ministry of Education, primary school enrollment rates have increased from 49% to 67% since 2004. Today, there is very little gender gap between the number of boys and girls who enter primary school.

For improved democracy and governance, USAID provided assistance to the 2008 Parliamentary Elections by supporting the training of more than 300 members of the National Election Commission. Importantly, that election was also declared ‘free and fair’ by the African Union. 

One major component that runs through all of our work has been an ongoing focus on improved statistical data.  

USAID will continue to assist the Ministries of Health and Education to establish reliable information management systems; because we know that reliable data is an essential tool for making sound development decisions.

USAID has also supported the general census of the population of Djibouti.  This data is absolutely critical for the Government and for all the development partners and we await its timely release in November.     

We have made a lot of commendable progress together, but there is still much to do. 

Congratulations to all of you on your successes to date, and USAID looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with Djibouti in the achievement of results. 

 

Thank you.