U.S. Commits Funds for Economic Development, Health,and Education in Ethiopia

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2009 Addis Ababa (U.S. Embassy) – The American people, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), are providing new funding totaling nearly US $190 million to assist the Ethiopian people in three key areas: economic development, health and education.  Today USAID joined the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development to officially sign the agreements, which will enable our non-governmental and civil society partners to further strengthen the development of Ethiopia. 

This commitment from the United States is the latest installment of a six-year development assistance agenda between the two governments.  To date, the total commitment under this six-year plan is over US $615 million, a 107 percent increase over the originally planned commitment. USAID also signed an agreement this week with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to provide an additional US $890,000 to support disaster readiness.

“This assistance from the American people will continue to help millions of Ethiopians by providing them with much-needed education and health services, more jobs and income-generating opportunities,” USAID Mission Director Thomas H. Staal commented. Mr. Staal further stated, “the fact that this year’s funding goes well beyond USAID’s original commitment highlights the importance of the relationship between the people of our two countries, and the critical development challenges Ethiopia faces today.”

Through this year’s grants, over US $22 million will improve the quality of primary education, with special emphasis on increasing girls’ access and developing schools. The grants add over US $126 million to strengthen U.S. Government efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, control malaria, improve water and sanitation, and support maternal, child and reproductive health.  For economic growth, US $40.5 million will be applied toward expanding trade and enterprise, developing agriculture productivity and marketing, including for livestock, and protecting the environment.

In addition to the above-mentioned bilateral assistance, USAID total assistance to Ethiopia this year includes supporting activities to combat HIV/AIDS, control malaria, improve food security, support the Government of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Program, provide food and other humanitarian assistance, improve governance and accountability, and strengthen conflict mitigation.  In 2009, USAID’s total assistance to Ethiopia, through bilateral and other mechanisms, totals more than US $722 million.