FrontLines WWW. USAID.GOV FEBRUARY 2010 INSIDE US RUSHES HAITI AID T H I S I S S U E AS QUAKE TOLL RISES A reality TV show is helping to develop Cambodia’s future leaders. See page 11. By Ben Barber

Miller John Photo by A major earthquake struck the Chhem Pe, a leadership densely populated Haitian capital competition winner, recently visited New York of Port-au-Prince just before 5 City and Washington. p.m., Jan 12. As of Feb. 6, Haiti’s government estimated 212,000 FRAMEWORK OBJECTIVES: were killed, hundreds of thou-

sands badly injured, and up to 3 Henry Jr. Peace and Security million people in need of food, water, medical care, and shelter. Dennis J. Civilian Response Corps teams train for work Sgt.

The disaster set off one of the Tech. in conflict zones ...... SEE PAGE 5 world’s largest emergency relief Air Force Governing Justly and Democratically operations in recent memory. Within one hour of the mag- Kenya’s parliament exercises authority ...... SEE PAGE 12

nitude 7 earthquake, USAID U.S. Photo by Investing in People activated its Response Manage- USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, left, visits a hospital in Port- au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23. Seventy percent of Cambodia’s population ment Team (RMT) at its head- quarters in Washington and also is under 30 years old: how they’re working told two emergency rescue up the U.S. emergency response million; U.S. civilian and military to overcome challenges ...... SEE PAGE 3 teams to fly immediately to the and coordinate all U.S. aid. Obama aid together reached $464 million; Economic Growth Caribbean island nation. initially pledged $100 million in and other governments and the President Barack Obama aid, but three weeks after the Ethiopia: 25 years after a major famine ...... SEE PAGE 13 named the newly installed USAID quake, USAID spending on the see HAITI on page 14 and Humanitarian Assistance Administrator Rajiv Shah to head emergency had reached $296 Haiti photo spread on page 16  Rescuing Haitian earthquake survivors ...... SEE PAGE 16 African Diaspora Marketplace Gives the Agency’s senior deputy assistant administrator in the $1.4 Million to Winners Bureau for Economic Growth, By John Waggoner Agriculture and Trade. The initiative is distinguished WASHINGTON—Fifty-eight on display. The marketplace from other forms of develop- entrepreneurs from the African brought interest from a range of ment programming and holds diaspora—Africans living in the investors, including representa- promise as a new way to create United States—stood before their tives from the World Bank. public/private initiatives. booths at the Academy for Edu- “I’m really fired up,” said “This is a pilot,” Turner said.

USAID cational Development (AED) one participant, who was exhila- Monitoring will follow with an conference center Jan. 13 touting rated by meeting other African eye to replicating successful their ideas on how to bring busi- entrepreneurs, sharing ideas, projects elsewhere in Africa and nesses and jobs to their home and commiserating over earlier other developing countries. Ben Barber, Photo by countries. setbacks. The business proposals on As one of the poorest countries in the world, Nepal is struggling to They were finalists in the The marketplace is one of the display were diverse. Among overcome huge development problems. But since 1951, life expec- tancy has doubled, literacy has increased, and diseases have been African Diaspora Marketplace, first business competitions to har- them: expanding fish farming in reduced. Find out how USAID has been helping the country over which seeks to boost economic ness the knowledge of the U.S.- Nigeria; manufacturing solar the years on pages 7-10. Pictured: A woman spins Tibetan prayer opportunity in Africa by giving based African diaspora with the cooking ovens in Uganda; wheels at a temple in the capital city of Kathmandu. start-up companies and new know-how of local partners. The improving waste management ideas support in the sub-Saharan 58 finalists were selected from a services in Liberia; producing U.S. Agency for International Development region. field of 700 who applied. solar-powered street lights and PRSRT STD Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs They were competing for Karen Turner, director of billboards for local governments Washington, D.C. 20523-6100 Postage and Fees a share of $1.4 million in USAID’s Office of Development in regions of Africa with poor Penalty for Private Use $300 PAID USAID Official Business Permit No. G-107 grants—$800,000 provided by Partners, called the potential public power service; and estab- Western Union and $600,000 entrepreneurs an “untapped” and lishing alternative schooling for from USAID. Fourteen busi- “committed resource” with an pre-school and elementary age nesses were selected as winners “abiding interest” in the welfare children in Senegal. after facing an extensive grilling of their home countries. USAID missions are encour- by 16 development experts. “USAID’s contribution is aged to lend technical expertise Discussion around the booths attracting private investment to the competition winners to was animated, spurred by the com- interest in these promising enter- help them get their ideas suc- petition and pride in the proposals prises,” observed Michael Yates, cessfully launched. . page 2 INSIDE DEVELOPMENT

CLINTON Interview with Nancy Birdsall BACKS USAID Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton delivered a major speech on U.S. foreign aid By Ben Barber and international development policies Jan. 6 (see article, this page). She was introduced by Nancy Birdsall, a founder and president at the Center for Global Development, a think Secretary of State Hillary tank focused on improving the economic development of poor countries. On Jan. 12, Rodham Clinton delivered a Birdsall sat down with FrontLines Editorial Director Ben Barber for an interview. broad policy speech on the need for support and reform in U.S. Q: What does the speech BIRDSALL: Leadership is BIRDSALL: We have to have foreign assistance on Jan. 6, a day Hillary Clinton gave last needed from the administration in many different government before swearing in new USAID

week mean for USAID and working with the Congress on agencies involved with develop- Global Development Center for Administrator Rajiv Shah at the for its role in the U.S. new legislation. The legislation ment—we live in a complicated Ronald Reagan Building. government? that created USAID goes back to world. So it’s not a bad thing, Speaking at the Petersen Insti- the 1960s. There’s a lot of eager- per se, to have what people call tute for International Economics

BIRDSALL: The speech she ness on the congressional side— fragmentation. Sardari, Kaveh Photo by in Washington, Clinton said she gave is probably the most from [Sen.] John Kerry [D-Mass.] What’s important, however, is Nancy Birdsall, president has heard Americans question the ambitious and strategically from [Rep.] Howard Berman to have one strategic view. And of the Center for Global need for foreign aid “when there is focused speech from a secre- [D-Calif.] from [Sen.] Richard that’s why this presidential study Development so much hardship here at home.” tary of state on development Lugar [R-Ind.]—to make prog- directive that’s been led in the She said the American people that I can remember. ress. Secretary of State Clinton White House is so important, them in a very careful, intel- cannot be assured of security She waited to give the also spoke of the need to rethink because hopefully it is bringing ligent, passionate way. and prosperity “when one-third speech until there was a the role of development in foreign together all of the agencies inside One thing that was also of humankind live in conditions USAID administrator, Dr. policy beyond foreign assistance the federal government as well as new in the speech was the ref- that offer them little chance of Rajiv Shah. That signaled her to trade policy, migration policy, outside government: the founda- erences to innovation and to building better lives for them- view that USAID is the cen- climate strategy, and investment tions, the private sector. The idea some programs at the global selves or their children.” terpiece within the State programs and policies. is to develop a strategic focus and level like the advanced market And she noted that “Adminis- Department for development direction that guides implementa- commitment. For example, the trator Shah and I are united in and that her own ambition is Q: What are the areas in which tion of trade policy, of foreign United States with others our commitment” to improve that USAID return to being USAID has unique value that assistance programs, of our might buy at a certain price coordination between defense, the world’s premiere develop- can be rebuilt? approach to climate change as it vaccines which otherwise diplomacy, and development to ment agency. affects people in developing wouldn’t get either researched secure U.S. national goals. It’s an elevation admittedly BIRDSALL: The staff of USAID countries, of our approach to and developed or produced in Violent extremism will be hard from really a kind of nadir in have years of experience in the security issues in Afghanistan, sufficient quantities. So it’s to to stop until economic progress terms of reputation and I field. They have not had channels Pakistan, and so on. create an incentive to the pri- links poor countries to modern would say even effectiveness. to feed their strategic vision and Leadership should come from vate sector to put in the markets and technologies, Clinton use their ground-truthing. They a development agency. It doesn’t resources to develop or pro- said. And poor countries cannot Q: What are the areas of lack effective channels of com- mean that the development agency duce a certain product. advance towards democracy USAID that have deteriorated munication between those who or its leadership gets to tell every- while poverty is rampant. Unsta- over the years with budget have experience on the ground body else what to do in other peo- Q: Clinton says contractors ble countries, she added, are and staff cuts? and those who are doing the big ple’s domains, but just as we have have taken over too large a unable to stop conflicts, global thinking in Washington, in USAID the U.S. trade representative pres- role in USAID; how can this criminal networks, and epidemics BIRDSALL: In the 1960s, itself, in the State Department, and ent in discussions about security be changed? that reach across borders. USAID produced some of the in all the other agencies in federal or the head of the Department of “Development…is a strategic, best and most strategic think- government involved in Commerce present, we need the BIRDSALL: Contractors are economic, and moral impera- ing on development. That’s development. development perspective in those not all bad. A lot of very good tive—as central to advancing where the thought leadership Also, USAID within the State larger discussions. people work for the contrac- American interests and solving was in the field. Department is the agency that tors. But it’s very low value global problems as diplomacy or So where has weakness stands for what Secretary Clinton Q: How much of the policy for money, for the American defense,” she said. come? Everywhere—policy, emphasized is the long haul, the speech is new and how much is people, because the costs for Development experts and strategy, effectiveness in the lasting changes that take longer, a continuation of long-standing the outcomes, and even for advocates have been “riven by field, flexibility, the loss of the sustainability part. So the practices? the inputs, say in Afghanistan conflict and controversy…over whatever animal spirits or challenge inside the State Depart- or in Malawi or in Papua New where and how to pursue devel- incentives inside the bureau- ment is to preserve somehow, to BIRDSALL: It must be frustrat- Guinea, are just too high. But opment,” Clinton said. She cracy led to innovation. ring-fence the budget and policy ing for people in USAID to hear more important is inflexibil- called for a new approach that The problems come from and provide enough autonomy to things and have the world think ity—that because of pre-exist- would make development “a outside, from congressional USAID as an agency, even inside it’s new when they’ve been liv- ing contracts, it’s very dif- central pillar of our foreign pol- mandates and earmarks. the State Department, that it has a ing with these messages and ficult for a USAID mission icy” and would “rebuild USAID USAID is focused on compli- strong voice relative to diplo- these ideals and this mission for director to have resources to into the world’s premier devel- ance, on fears of waste and macy as well as to defense. a long time. do something that needs to be opment agency.” corruption, and thus on moni- Human nature is that the I think what’s important about done and makes sense to do And she called for a greater toring of all the inputs that short-term imperative of diplo- the speech, frankly, is that it came now. The money is locked up emphasis on measurable results make up a foreign assistance macy will crowd out the longer- from the secretary of state, who is in specific sectors. And there’s from aid programs that have program, instead of working term imperative of development. clearly tremendously knowledge- been a reduction in the num- proved difficult to monitor and with the partner countries on We need an agency that stands able and tremendously passionate. ber of technically competent evaluate over the years, adding: the outcomes. for the long haul. She reflected in the speech and staff in USAID to interact “We must share the proof of our brought together ideas that may with contractors. Some of progress with the public.” Q: So how are Hillary Clin- Q: What is the impact of having seem not entirely new, but it’s still that expertise needs to be However, in Haiti, Yemen, and ton and Rajiv Shah going to many different government agen- new for an official at the highest internalized in the government some other situations “we will change it? cies involved in development? level in the U.S. to be repeating itself, not contracted out. . see CLINTON on page 15 

2 FrontLines February 2010 page 3 DIALOGUE

Mission of the Month CAMBODIA INSIGHTS FROM ADMINISTRATOR DR. RAJIV SHAH

Like many USAID staff, I have strug- gled to give words to the devastation we have seen in Haiti and the difficulty we have faced delivering aid under such challenging conditions. Even before the earthquake, Haiti lacked critical infra- structure and service delivery capabilities. The little capacity the country did have was either buried or severely damaged on the eve- two methods of contracep- ning of Jan. 12. What remained intact was a one-runway airport with tion, a 13 percent increase no control tower. In the face of these challenges, USAID has led a over those not reached, while massive, whole-of-government effort to open up distribution chan- 51 percent of those reached nels and deliver critical personnel and supplies to the people and knew the symptoms of sexu- places where they are needed. ally transmitted infections, a Our personnel on the ground in Haiti are doing a heroic job. They 36 percent increase. have worked around the clock, digging through dust and rubble, navi- Real Theng, 25, became a gating broken roads, and putting themselves in great danger. Whether USAID Photo by peer volunteer in high school it is USAID staff, including our incredible Foreign Service National Students visit an interactive booth on a local governance and decentralization program at the Youth Festival in Kampong Cham six years ago to meet new colleagues, or our partners in the Departments of Defense, Health and Province July 18-19, 2009. people and educate his class- Human Services, State, or Homeland Security, everyone across the mates about the dangers of federal family has worked in concert toward a common goal. We are sexually transmitted diseases. all deeply proud of them, and grateful for their work. “I was so proud to be keeping In addition to those on the ground, nearly every one of us has found a Cambodia’s Youth Help Each my friends healthy,” Real way to pitch in and make a difference. I know many USAID staff here at said. In his three years as a home have gone beyond their normal responsibilities. The selflessness Other with Health, Employment volunteer, he gained confi- and dedication you have shown is further evidence that USAID employ- Challenges dence and learned how to ees treat their jobs as more than just a career but as a life’s calling. advocate with adults in posi- Haiti will continue to be a major focus for months and years to Challenge health, education, economic tions of authority as well as come. I believe our effectiveness in coordinating this unified response growth, or governance. These other skills that serve him will help advance our larger reform agenda at USAID. We have an Cambodia has one of the programs have an impact on well in his current career with historic opportunity to enhance USAID’s role as the world’s premier youngest populations in the some of the biggest problems the Reproductive Health development agency—and we need to seize it. We have the potential world. From 1976 to 1979, facing young people. They also Association of Cambodia, the to deploy more resources, build deeper partnerships, and utilize inno- an estimated 1.7 million peo- encourage youth to get involved Cambodian-run NGO that vative technologies to achieve new progress on our mission. ple—one in four Cambodi- carries out the Peer Education Realizing this opportunity will require a sustained commitment ans—died under Khmer in their communities and civil society, so they become active program. across our entire government. And it will be informed by the important Rouge rule. Hundreds of USAID’s Political Compe- reviews underway with the QDDR [Quadrennial Diplomacy and thousands more fled the coun- participants in the long-term development of Cambodia. tition program is also building Development Review] and PSD [Presidential Study Directive]. But the try. As a result, 70 percent of future leaders. Through the real change we seek will ultimately begin with us. Our ability to the population today is less Youth Council of Cambodia, improve the way we do business is central to this revitalization effort. than 30 years old. Born after Results an organization with hundreds There are three principles that I want all of us to keep in mind as we the fall of the Khmer Rouge, One such program is of volunteers across the coun- plan, execute, and evaluate our work: focus, scale, and impact. this young generation faces USAID’s Peer Education pro- try, the program has held Improving our business practices begins with reexamining our many challenges to develop gram, which uses a network of youth festivals and democ- focus. While our goal must be to do the most good for the most peo- the country, and USAID is 11,800 unpaid volunteers aged racy seminars that thus far ple, this can often lead us to attempt to do too much, spreading our- working to help it overcome 18 to 24 to educate other young have attracted 187,000 young selves too thin and compromising our effectiveness. Instead, we will these obstacles. people about issues such as people in nine provinces. The focus on strategic areas where we can have a major impact. Each year, 250,000 youth reproductive health, nutrition, festivals promote political Second, within these areas of strategic focus, we need to enhance the enter the work force, but the and drug use. Through group activism, voter registration, scale of our work. This means taking a comprehensive approach that economy struggles to find discussions, dance perfor- and involvement in local gov- addresses all of the factors that influence our success, investing inten- employment for them. The mances, and mobile videos, the ernment. Carried out by the sively where we can speed up progress and benefit people the most. education system is weak and program has taken its messages International Republican And third, we must constantly consider the impact of our work. does not prepare them for to 460,000 young people in Institute, the Political Compe- Simply put, we must be relentlessly focused on results. Our success careers in the global economy. over 1,000 villages, many of tition program also produces won’t be measured by the dollars we spend or the programs we cre- Many young people have poor them in rural areas with little the “Youth Leadership Chal- ate, but on the tangible results we achieve for the people we serve. nutrition or die from prevent- access to media and high illit- lenge,” a reality television The smarter we work, the sooner we will create conditions where our able diseases. Meanwhile, an eracy rates. show watched by millions assistance is no longer needed. Ultimately, this must be the goal of entrenched system of patron- According to a 2008 survey, (see related story on page 11). every project we undertake. age discourages youth involve- 71 percent of young people Real, the former health vol- We kicked off February with the rollout of the Global Health Initia- ment in government and civil reached by peer volunteers unteer, said programs like these tive (GHI), which was designed with these principles in mind. I believe society. knew the consequences of early are helping young Cambodians GHI will take our health assistance to the next level and fully maximize pregnancy, a 19 percent find their voice. “It’s important the sustainable health impact for every dollar invested. I look forward to Innovative Response increase over those not reached for us to be heard by policy hearing the feedback we receive during this consultation period. Nearly all USAID pro- by the program. In addition, 50 makers so that we can play our Whether it is in health, democracy and governance, agriculture grams in Cambodia have a percent of youth reached by the part in shaping the country’s and economic growth, or any other sector, the change we seek will youth component, whether in program could accurately name future,” he said. . see INSIGHTS on page 5 

www.usaid.gov 3 page 4 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

BRIEFS

Aid Groups Say experts due to be deployed in economic situation. Aid agen- 23-year-old Bhawana Chaud- Kapisa, Ghor, Nangarhar, and Southern Sudan the next few weeks. Plans call cies now fear the cuts in fund- hary, who was just 17 when she Nuristan. for rebuilding the Afghan farm ing will see more people going joined the army. Peace Shaky sector, improving governance, without food this year. More than 200 young men Gates Foundation NAIROBI, Kenya— and reintegrating extremists and women swapped their blue Middle East Faces Pledges $10 Billion Southern Sudan could see a into society. People’s Liberation Army for Vaccines return to chaos and warfare The strategy also calls for Water Shortage (PLA) uniforms for civilian if the international commu- helping Pakistan fight an The Middle East is facing its clothes and began their journey DAVOS, Switzerland—The nity does not strengthen the Islamist insurgency and enact worst water crisis in decades, home after an official ceremony Bill & Melinda Gates Foun- 2005 peace deal that ended political and economic reforms; National Public Radio reported at the Sindhuli camp in central dation will donate $10 billion more than 20 years of civil and countering extremist voices Jan 7. Nepal. They are the first of over the next decade to war, a group of aid agencies in both countries. For three summers, the almost 24,000 former Maoist research new vaccines and warned Jan.7, the Associ- “I believe this strategy offers annual rains failed to come. fighters confined to U.N.-super- bring them to the world’s ated Press reported. the best prospect for stabilizing Farmland dried up across the vised camps as part of the 2006 poorest countries, the Micro- The first multi-party Afghanistan and Pakistan,” peace agreement to be formally region in Iraq, Syria, southeast soft co-founder and his wife elections in more than two Clinton said. discharged. Turkey, and Lebanon. Experts said Jan. 29, the Associated decades are set for April, The Afghanistan and Paki- say the climate is warming in Press reported. and the groups said in a stan Regional Stabilization the Fertile Crescent, the area of report that a referendum on Strategy was produced by the Polio Fight Goes On Calling for government the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, and business contributions, independence for the south Office of the Special Represen- contributing to the water short- in Afghanistan in January 2011 also could tative for Afghanistan and Paki- they said the money will raise age and helping to create a new KABUL—Successful anti- re-ignite the war that killed stan, Richard Holbrooke, who immunization rates and make phenomenon—water refugees. polio action depends on vac- 2 million people. briefed the Senate Foreign Rela- sure 90 percent of children Droughts for several con- cinators being able to reach and The 10 aid agencies— tions Committee on it. are immunized against dis- secutive years and the damming immunize every under-5 child including Oxfam Interna- eases such as diarrhea and of the Tigris and Euphrates riv- in 13 volatile districts in the tional, Save the Children, and Zimbabwe Faces ers have the Middle East facing southern provinces of Kanda- pneumonia in poorer nations. World Vision—also worry Food Shortages its worst water crisis in decades. har, Helmand, and Farah, “We must make this the about disputes between the HARARE, Zimbabwe— This winter, rain has barely according to the U.N. World decade of vaccines,” Bill south and north over oil. Nation Online, a local news settled into the hard, cracked Health Organization (WHO). Gates said in a statement. The report, entitled source, reported Jan. 19 that farmland in northern Syria. “These 13 districts are high “Vaccines already save and ‘’Rescuing the Peace in Zimbabwe is facing massive There was a time when the priority areas and if we succeed improve millions of lives in Southern Sudan,’’ said some food shortages again this year fields were green most of the in fighting the virus there, we developing countries.” 2,500 people were killed with crops already wilting in year, but the summer droughts will eradicate polio in the coun- He said the commitment and 350,000 others were have taken a toll. displaced in 2009. many parts of the country due try,” Tahir Pervaiz Mir, WHO’s more than doubles the $4.5 to a prolonged dry spell. polio eradication officer in billion the foundation has The USAID-funded Famine Child Soldiers Leave Afghanistan, told the U.N Civilians Key to Nepal Maoist Camps given to vaccine research over New Afghan- Early Warning System Network agency IRIN. the years. (FEWSNET) predicts that, as a “The virus is localized and Pakistan Strategy SINDHULI, Nepal—Thou- The foundation said up to result of the poor rainfall and sands of former child soldiers we want to finish the job at the 7.6 million children under 5 the severe shortage of agricul- earliest [opportunity] and not WASHINGTON—Secre- who fought for the Maoists in could be saved through 2019 tary of State Hillary Rod- ture inputs, 2.2 million Zimba- Nepal’s decade-long civil war allow it to spread beyond the as a result of the donation. It ham Clinton on Jan. 22 bweans will need food aid. began leaving the U.N.-moni- southern region,” he said. also estimates that an addi- unveiled a strategy to stabi- Close to half of Zimbabwe’s tored camps where they have About 84 percent of Afghan- tional 1.1 million kids would lize Afghanistan and Paki- population has depended on spent the past three years, AFP istan is polio-free but the dis- stan that calls for sending donors for food in the last nine reported Jan. 7. ease remains virulent in the 13 be saved if a malaria vaccine more civilian experts to the years. Most are now adults, but districts, where health workers can be introduced by 2014. A region, AFP reported. In November, the United some were as young as 13 when have little or no access. tuberculosis vaccine would Clinton called for Nations reduced by almost 50 they joined the rebels and have Most of the 38 polio cases in prevent even more deaths. increases of experts in percent its request for donations had little formal education. 2009 were reported in the Afghanistan beyond the to assist Zimbabwe’s poor, fol- “My hands have only been south, though one case each From news reports and other nearly 1,000 U.S. civilian lowing positive changes in the trained to use guns,” said was reported in the provinces of sources. .

FRONTLINES: FEBRUARIES PAST

1970: Under a headline foreign policy initiatives in the country by the Soviet Union. The 1989 issue of FrontLines. Acting close, FrontLines reported. The “President Calls for Changes coming years.” article noted that the USAID Administrator Mark Edelman USAID-financed Egyptian ver- in Aid,” FrontLines quoted 1980: FrontLines reported building at that time was located issued the order to conserve sion of the popular children’s President Richard Nixon as that Acting Mission Director next to the Soviet Embassy. funds in the Agency’s operating program “Sesame Street” aimed saying: “I expect a new Chester Bell closed the USAID 1990: The Agency entered expenses. to address low literacy rates and approach to foreign assis- Afghanistan mission Jan. 3, a the new year with a hiring 2000: The second season low enrollment rates of girls in tance to be one of our major week after the invasion of that freeze, reported the December of Alam Simsim came to a Egyptian schools. .

4 FrontLines February 2010 page 5 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Iraq or West Virginia? Training For Survival By Margy Hanon

The threat of heavy rain, where recon- recent insurgent attacks, and struction and potential loss of communications stabilization is weighed heavily on the 24 inter- taking place. agency Civilian Response Corps The train- (CRC) officers as their armored ing weeks, cars maneuvered along remote spent mainly dirt roads. outdoors, will The teams scanned the hilly prepare CRC terrain, putting into action their teams for surveillance detection training, travel in as each vehicle’s navigator care- unconven- fully monitored their GPS and tional regions map positioning. and teach

Rounding a slight bend, their them how to DepartmentPhoto by of State DepartmentPhoto by of State destination soon came into view— remain safe Civilian Response Corps members training in Civilian Response Corps members cope with a simulated field injury a small camp filled with refugees and carry out post-conflict stabilization learn to make fire from during a course carried out at Quantico, Va. displaced by the recent war. their assigned flint and steel. And although this scenario missions even was only part of a training exer- as the field conditions worsen. helicopter landing zones in case pieces of information they would into the armored SUVs armed cise in West Virginia, the teams The morning of the final they needed to request a casualty need to relay. with skills that would prepare carried out their assessment mis- exercise, the USAID CRC offi- evacuation. The CRC members With the clouds rolling in, the them to save themselves and sion as though they were located cers reflected on the previous nodded as they remembered their team leaders ordered their their fellow aid workers and in one of many places through- three weeks of arduous training training—wind direction, land- advance survey vehicles to head complete their jobs in possibly out the world dealing with con- in subjects such as: crafting a ing zone measurements, ground out. The CRC members climbed dangerous conditions. . flict or civil strife. mission plan, hostage survival, markers, obstructions, and sig- The SNOE course, or Secu- and administering trauma first naling devices were all crucial rity for Non-traditional Operat- aid in the field. WHERE DOES USAID’S ing Environments, prepares CRC As they made their final civilians to live and work in rounds of vehicle inspections, Letter to the Editor MONEY GO? remote, austere, and high-threat they said they felt prepared to countries overseas. The course encounter a simulated roadside I have read your article Top 20 FY 2009 Countries Benefitting was developed jointly by the improvised explosive device on Sierra Leone [FrontLines, from USAID Assistance State Department’s Bureau of (IED) or roadblock during the August 2009, page 6] with Diplomatic Security and the day’s exercise. Phrases such as great interest. I am a cas- Office of the Coordinator for “suspicious armed individual on sava processing expert and Reconstruction and left,” “reverse out,” “keep back- food scientist, with over 30 Stabilization. ing,” and “prepare for Y-turn” years of experience in techni- SNOE’s unique curriculum were drilled into their heads cal assistance to developing focuses on “survivability train- during classes on high-threat, tropical countries. Cassava is ing” required to operate in on- and off-road driving very poor in protein, unlike regions that are hostile or semi- methods. what is stated in the article. permissive—meaning that one As the groups donned their In fact, this is one of the big can travel outside of protected body armor and gathered for drawbacks, nutritionally. I bases but there is some, hope- their final intelligence brief have been working to find a fully manageable, risk. before boarding the convoy, solution. These locations include not each team leader reviewed the only Afghanistan, Pakistan, and alternate strategies again should Best regards, Iraq, but numerous other remote something not go according to Ramana R. “Ralph” Govin, posts such as the Democratic plan. The leaders reminded their PhD Republic of Congo and Sudan teams to identify all potential

WEINSENFELD TO DIRECT HAITI RECONSTRUCTION INSIGHTS from page 3 Administrator Rajiv Shah announced Feb. 5 that USAID’s director in Peru, Paul Weisenfeld, not come easily. But if we con- will direct U.S. reconstruction efforts for Haiti tinue to unite behind a common from Washington. He will coordinate with Lewis purpose—as we have in assist- Lucke, who was earlier named to direct U.S.

USAID ing the people of Haiti in their government aid activities on the ground in Port- greatest hour of need—I am Total USAID program funds au-Prince, the capital city shattered by the Jan. certain that we will seize the FY 2009: $16.6 billion 12 earthquake. Reconstruction funds pledged by opportunity to remake USAID

Ben Barber, Photo by donors, including the United States, have passed and make new progress on our For more information, go to Paul Weisenfeld $3 billion. mission. . www.usaid.gov/policy/budget/money.

www.usaid.gov 5 page 6 THE REGIONS

LATIN AMERICA Moot Court Helps Colombian Students Study Human Rights By Katerine Castro

BOGOTÁ, Colombia—An National University Contest on academic competition among Human Rights and International university students in Colombia Humanitarian Law. is promoting an understanding The competition helps stu- of human rights and interna- dents improve research skills as tional humanitarian law while well as oral and written argument

USAID Photo by helping the students polish their abilities. Using the “moot court” This group of Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian experts was authorized by the Jordanian army to research and advocacy skills. role-play model, students repre- environmentally assess the Lower Jordan River. In 2003, USAID’s office in senting either the defense or pros- Colombia funded research on ecution must argue a human the quality of human rights edu- rights violation case, in which the MIDDLE EAST cation provided by Colombian Colombian state is implicated, to universities. The research, car- the Inter-American Court of ried out in 23 national universi- Human Rights. Each team, com- Jordanians, Israelis, and Palestinians Work ties, concluded that there was a prised of two students from the lack of awareness and academic same university, must represent Together to Save the Jordan River focus on human rights issues. In By Eric Viala response, USAID created the see COLOMBIA on page 15 

Environmental disaster is said Munqeth Mehyar, Jordanian specific societal and political propelling Jordanians, Israelis, director of EcoPeace/Friends of barriers, and identify reasonable, and Palestinians to work the Earth Middle East (FoEME), non-radical technology improve- together to save the Jordan which is conducting the ments and behavioral changes. River. assessment. These changes could include USAID is providing funding The Lower Jordan River simple interventions such as to carry out water sampling and faces an acute environmental installing rainwater catchment a biodiversity assessment in the crisis. Diverting water upstream systems or increasing the use of Lower Jordan River, a shared to irrigate agricultural fields and treated wastewater for agricul- river system that flows along provide drinking water to Israe- tural irrigation. the Jordanian border with the lis, Jordanians, and Palestinians Building on the results of the West Bank and Israel to the has reduced the historic river to studies, the project also includes

Dead Sea. It is the first regional nothing more than a sewage an outreach and advocacy com- USAID study of its kind to involve canal carrying less than 5 per- ponent to mobilize individual Israeli, Palestinian, and Jorda- cent of its natural flows. Jordanians, Israelis, and Pales- nian experts. The water sampling and bio- tinians—and their govern- “This assessment will provide diversity assessment are an ini- ments—to support a plan to data that will help us better tial step in a larger USAID- rehabilitate the Lower Jordan Katerine Castro, Photo by Luisa María Alvarado and Lina Marcela Múnera, winners from understand the environmental funded project to quantify the River. Universidad Libre of Pereira’s Law School, demonstrated threats facing the river and raise extent of the environmental command of the judicial system as well as the Inter-American system on human rights. awareness for concrete actions,” deterioration, understand see JORDAN on page 15 

EUROPE & EURASIA English, Computer Classes Improve Kosovo Schools By Megan Falvey PRISTINA, Kosovo—After- grew to include 13 schools and available. For many students, school English and computer communities. WHAM is their first experience classes have been launched for The project is part of the ini- with interactive education. With more than 1,000 students in 13 tiative “Community Service 50 percent of the population under schools nationwide through a through Extracurricular Activi- 25 years old, improving education USAID program in the newly ties,” also referred to as WHAM, in Kosovo is extremely important independent state of Kosovo. which provides equipment and to its future success as a nation. The project began in late classes in English language and The overall goal of the WHAM 2007 in two schools—Gymna- computer training for students in program is to engage youth in a sium Kuvendi i Lezhës in Viti/ high schools throughout Kosovo. productive way, modernize Learning World Vitina (municipalities in The education sector in schools, and enable students to use

Kosovo have two names, one Kosovo is very weak, school the computers delivered to them Photo by in Albanian and the other in buildings are old, teaching meth- for regular school hours. The These high school students in Veliko Ropotovo/Ropotove e Madhe are part of the first after-school class held in a USAID- Serbian) and Srednja Tehniška ods are outdated, classes are over- supported computer lab. Škola in Vërboc/Vrbovac—and crowded, and no laboratories are see KOSOVO on page 15 

6 FrontLines February 2010 Special Report: NEPAL WWW. USAID.GOV FEBRUARY 2010 NEPAL’S BEAUTY AND GRACE HIDE POVERTY

KATHMANDU, Nepal—Nepal has long been loved for its beautiful Himalayas, its peaceful and easy-going people, its ancient culture, and the neatly groomed hillsides of rice paddies climbing thousands of feet into the sky.

And while for 40 years it was mountains impede transport and safe and free for visitors and Nep- use of farm machines. Monsoon alese to walk in the cities or trek rains often lead to flooding, to villages far beyond the roads, landslides, and spoiled harvests. the Nepalese people lacked any Hydropower and tourism are say in their government and lived most likely to bring cash into a quasi-feudal life of hardship—a Nepal, but the country’s political side of life that many visitors troubles have blocked progress failed to see. It was a life of pov- in many areas. A protracted con- erty, hunger, and illness caused by flict from 1995-2006 reduced lack of jobs, food, and health care. investment and drove some fac- Since 1951, a decade before tory owners to flee to India. The the creation of USAID, the peace process—strongly sup- United States has provided more ported by USAID (see accompa- When the clouds lift, one sees the peaks of the Himalayan Mountains near Langtang Peak on the than $1 billion in foreign assis- nying article on peace)—ended China border. The tall trees are part of community forests protected by USAID programs. tance to Nepal for education, the fighting in 2006 and led to farming, infrastructure, health, elections that chose a Constitu- 104 health units, added a surgery and government. USAID’s bud- ent Assembly. In 2008, the wing to Bir Hospital, helped get in Nepal has remained about 240-year-old monarchy was boost air traffic from 25,000 to $35 million to $45 million per ousted, but political stability 210,000 flights per year, and year for the last few years. remains elusive. opened an industrial park. A quick visit to farms, vil- Another damper on develop- In the 1970s, USAID helped lages, and cities from the steep ment has been the long, land- double primary school enroll- Himalayan Mountains to the hot locked borders the country ment, built the Western Hills Terai plains bordering India shares with rival Asian giants road to link the Terai to the hills, reveals a country that has made China and India. tripled the number of people get- great progress but is still strug- Geographic isolation—along ting health services, introduced gling to overcome enormous with Buddhist and Hindu teach- family planning, and boosted development problems. ings of acceptance and non- use of fertilizer by 18 percent. Roads link major cities and attachment—let Nepal retain its In the 1980s, USAID pro- some towns, schools have opened, timeless ways as the world’s only moted the private sector and and health programs are reaching Hindu monarchy until 2006. NGOs, female literacy rose to most rural communities. U.S. assistance—the focus of 18 percent, some food-short But Nepal remains among the the articles in this special areas became surplus producers, poorest and least developed report—has already helped and real income rose an average countries in the world with achieve important results. 62 percent. almost 60 percent of its 28 mil- Since 1951, with U.S. assis- In the 1990s, Nepal became a lion people living on less than tance, life expectancy has more parliamentary democracy and $1.25 a day, according to the than doubled to 65, literacy has U.S. aid helped improve govern- World Bank. Less than three- grown, and many diseases have ment services, privatize some quarters of the people can read. been reduced. state-run businesses, get women Nearly 40 percent of children In the 1950s, U.S. assistance to run for local and national under five are below normal eliminated malaria from much of offices, deliver Vitamin A to weight. Nearly half the people the country, founded the College nearly 80 percent of districts, are unemployed, leading many of Education, trained the first and handed over 123,000 hect- to seek jobs abroad in India, public health nurses, and created ares of forests to community Malaysia, and the Gulf states. the first telephone exchange. forest user groups. Poverty is linked in part to the In the 1960s, USAID backed The aid program continues A Nepalese woman and child in a village near Langtang National rugged environment. Steep administration reforms, set up today. . Park near the border with China.

FrontLines Editorial Director Ben Barber wrote this series of articles following a trip to Nepal in October. All photos by Ben Barber unless otherwise noted. page 8 FOCUS ON NEPAL SPECIAL REPORT

VOLUNTEER HEALTH WORKERS SAVE MANY LIVES A Kathmandu KAMDI, Banke District, Sita Yadav has been a volun- treated a male patient who came cycle Nepal—Sarada Yadav is preg- teer for eight years, getting only in with fever and stomach pains rickshaw driver nant with her fifth child and she 100 rupees (less than U.S. $2) per by giving out antibiotics and waits for watches intently as a volunteer month from the local government. paracetamol (acetaminophen)— customers health worker tells her about She covers 90 households in this a pain and fever reducer. under a sign sanitation, health, and prepara- agricultural village where buffalo USAID supported his training advertising cell phone tion for delivery. carts and flocks of goats compete and the health materials at his cards. Sita Yadav, one of 50,000 with bicycles and horse carts in small clinic. Seriously ill people female health volunteers trained the dusty lanes. don’t come to him but go directly in Nepal by USAID programs, “She comes right to our house to the hospital, he said. Still, he turns the pages of a display book and it is easy to approach her,” sees 60 to 70 people a day, provid- to show the pregnant woman how said the pregnant woman. “I ing free treatment and medicine. to assure a healthy delivery and think I feel safer. This service Aside from treating tuberculosis, infant. helps me and my child. I do rou- seasonal fevers, and dysentery— “She will need iron tablets at tine checkups and know if I need the main problems—he also pro- the sixth month. She needs ante- to be worried.” vides chlorine water purification natal checkups and a tetanus Sita Yadav, a Female Commu- and soap to all households. injection,” said Sita Yadav. “We nity Health Volunteer (FCHV), “The FCHVs are like our talk about food, bathing, rest, and has only an eighth grade educa- right hand,” said Bohara. “They keeping away from all alcohol. I tion. Some FCHVs may be illiter- go to the houses, give out Vita- tell her about danger signs— ate—yet they have been trained to min A capsules. Before people headaches, convulsion, lower use the picture books to explain did not take iron tabs but, due to abdominal pain.” proper health care to millions of the FCHVs, they take the iron.” She also advises Sarada Yadav Nepalese women. USAID-funded programs sup- to save a bit of money each month Another FCHV said that she port Vitamin A distribution twice so she has enough for an ambu- had saved lives through her ser- a year to 3.6 million Nepalese lance and blood donors if needed. vice: “My own sister had a children, saving about 16,000 Asked where she plans to delayed labor and I thought the lives annually, said an aid worker. give birth, Sarada Yadav said “in baby might be asphyxiated,” But even with the good advice the hospital.” said Sarada Oli. “I called the and help of the volunteers, about But in case she waits too ambulance and both survived— half of pregnant women in this long to go there, the volunteer they gave the baby oxygen.” village don’t have enough food to Outside Bankatti Village, Nepalese walk along the earthen explains the safe delivery kit she The FCHVs also can diagnose eat, said a local village leader. walls of rice paddies after visiting their new fishponds, created will give her. It has a sterile and treat pneumonia—a major The problem is even worse since and stocked with USAID assistance. In the distance are the blade to cut the umbilical cord, killer of small children in devel- the price of rice increased 40 per- Himalayan foothills. sterile thread to tie the cord off, oping countries. A very rapid res- cent globally; and the October a plastic sheet to lie on, and piration rate indicates pneumonia flooding caused by a late mon- soap. The pages she turns show and the volunteers give out oral soon damaged perhaps 40 percent Landless Villagers Dig Fish pictures of all these activities— antibiotics. The volunteers also of the area’s rice harvest. many women in the village can- give medicine to prevent hemor- The men are forced to collect not read. rhage after delivery. firewood in the forest for sale, seek Ponds to Improve Lives The volunteer also talks about Some men are also health jobs in the nearby city of Nepal- BANKATTI VILLAGE, Each family got rice from the spacing of births through birth workers. Tikaram Bohara has gunj, pull rickshaws, make furni- Nepal—After a hot walk World Food Program to help control. been a medic for 16 years. He ture, or go to India for work. . between the lush, green rice pad- them during the 40 days it took dies of the Terai plains near the to dig their pond. city of Nepalgunj, one comes “We dug this out—it was a lot upon dozens of rectangular fish- of work,” said Jaiswal. “Then ponds, each about 100 feet long rain filled in the hole.” The fish and bursting with carp. eat bits of grass and cow dung Sangeeta Jaiswal, 22, sits and should bring in 35,000 under a thatched awning with rupees a year. Growing vegeta- her friends and their children, bles along the earth walls of the watching over their silvery trea- ponds brings another 10,000 sure. These landless Madhesi rupees. Because the fish ponds people of the flatlands had been are low-maintenance, the villag- planting rice for wealthy land- ers are often able to hold down owners, earning 150 rupees a other jobs as well such as making day (U.S. $2), barely enough to furniture or laboring on farms. feed the family. And the work is “The Americans helped us seasonal, meaning most days, because we are poor,” said they have no income. USAID Jaiswal. “If I get money from worked with Winrock Interna- selling the fish, I can open a tional to rent swampy land and small shop and educate my chil- offer these poor villagers baby dren.” She’d like to fry up one fish and the expertise to start of the fish to see how they taste Tikaram Bohara, who has been a medic for 16 years, examines a sick patient in a health center funded by their own fish ponds—if only but said: “They are still too USAID in a village near the city of Nepalgunj. they would dig out the pond. small. I’ll wait.” .

8 FrontLines February 2010 page 9 SPECIAL REPORT FOCUS ON NEPAL

A large Buddha statue at the Monkey Temple just outside Kath- mandu displays Tibetan cultural influence seen in the northern Nepalese tribes of the Himalayan foothills.

Warming Climate Melts Mighty Himalayan Glaciers

KATHMANDU, Nepal— These lakes Dawa Steven Sherpa is only 25 could burst over A potter works at his wheel in Nepalgunj; nearby are many small but has already climbed Mt. their boundaries oil lamps ready for a festival. Behind him is a charpoy, the simple Everest twice. The last time he at any moment roped bed that cools sleepers in the hot nights. was on top of the Earth’s highest due to erosion or point, he picked up a small stone the many earth- for President Barack Obama. quakes that hit The stone was given to this region. In Late Monsoon Rains Nepal’s prime minister, who 1985, one of the gave it to Obama at the United new glacial Trigger Fear of Landslides Nations in September to symbol- lakes burst, ize the growing problem of killed 19 people, TRISULI, Nepal—The rain beat down in torrents all night on global warming, which threatens and destroyed 30 Oct. 7—the latest the monsoon had lasted in Nepalese history, the world’s highest mountain houses, 14 possibly due to climate change, which might also have acceler- range—the Himalayas. bridges, and a ated melting of vast parts of the Himalayan glaciers lost in the “Everest is changing,” said hydroelectric mists above. Dawa Steven, as he is called. “A plant. The rain flooded rivers and rice paddies across Nepal’s flat few years ago, the summit was a To show how Terai plains, causing destruction and ravaging agricultural land. large icy area where 50 people dangerous a gla- And in the forests of the steep Himalayan Mountains rising all might fit. Now only 20 can be cial lake collapse around this valley town, people feared the rain would unleash there—the cornice [of snow] is might be, on June landslides that had already killed dozens of people this year. slowly breaking off and more Kathleen Korach Photo by 18, 2009, mara- This Tibetan Buddhist stupa, or shrine, watch- But up several miles of steep roads, in the village of Kalikast- rock is exposed. It may be global thon runners took es over the trail from Namche Bazaar towards han, there is less fear these days thanks to a USAID-funded com- warming.” off from Imja Mt. Everest in Nepal’s Khumbu Valley while munity forestry program that for some 20 years has helped local Climate change might also be Lake, at 16,000 strings of prayer flags blow in the wind. people control, protect, and improve the surrounding forests. affecting his Sherpa village of feet, to Dawa Ste- Now the thick groves of trees stand 50 to 60 feet tall, their Khumjung, where two streams ven’s home village down at 12,400 Threatened villages could create roots keeping the rain water from eroding the mountainsides. that used to flow off Everest’s feet. Fast as the Sherpa runners shelters uphill from potential Some 21 percent of Nepal’s forests are now protected community glaciers have dried up as the gla- raced over the trails, a raging flood floods. Farmers could also shift forests, watched over by 145,000 elected representatives. ciers have retreated. People must would have beat them. to crops that need less water. “Since we started the community forests, landslides are signifi- walk for two hours to fetch “We wanted to show that if And early warning systems cantly reduced—we sleep better at night,” said Jaman Singh, who water now. Imja Lake burst out, it will not could be installed to sound the has been chairman of the village’s community forestry user group Between 5,000 and 6,000 only kill people and destroy alert if the lakes collapse. since 1992. meters (16,400 and 19,700 feet) property but can make an entire Dawa Steven recalled that he Back then, he brought in the first seedlings to restore the forest in altitude, the glaciers have dis- mountain culture disappear in its was recently stunned to find a after years of logging for fuel and lumber. “Thirty years ago, there appeared, said Dawa Steven in aftermath,” wrote Ang Tshering garbage fly at 17,000 feet at were no trees on this hill,” said a forestry expert working for USAID. an interview in October, just Sherpa, founder and chairman of Everest Base Camp. He’d never When forests were owned by the state, loggers, poachers, and prior to leading an expedition of Asian Trekking, the company seen insects at that altitude others simply took what they wanted. But since communities British Royal Marines up Ama Dawa Steven works with. before and thinks it’s another were given control, they planted seedlings and took only the dead Dabalam Mountain (22,500 feet) Asian Trekking has removed sign of global warming. lower branches for fuel as the trees grew. They also cut standing near Everest. tons of trash from the upper The fate of the Himalayas has dead wood, collected grasses and herbs, and hunted wild animals. He is worried about the cre- mountains and seeks solutions to impact far beyond the steep val- CARE, the World Wildlife Fund, and USAID have been the ation of many glacial lakes high climate change problems with the leys of Nepal. Water off the main supporters of the community forest user groups—training in the mountains. Once glaciers World Wildlife Fund—which Himalayas flows into the mighty Nepalis to manage their resources. of solid ice 100 feet thick flowed receives USAID funds—and with rivers of Asia—the Ganges, the Even living in the steep mountain villages with the small ter- slowly along, a few feet a year. the International Center for Inte- Indus, the Brahmaputra, the races growing rice and wheat, by protecting the environment, In their place there are now lakes grated Mountain Development. Mekong, the Irrawaddy, the landslides can be reduced, biodiversity can be preserved, and such as Imja Glacial Lake— The glacial lakes, for exam- Yangtze, and the Yellow. More livelihoods can be created. . more than a mile long and up to ple, might be drained by siphon- than 2 billion people depend 300 feet deep. ing or cutting drainage holes. upon those rivers for life. .

www.usaid.gov 9 page 10 FOCUS ON NEPAL SPECIAL REPORT

U.S. Helps Peace Talks End Conflict Lemon Grass Oil Rebuilds

Nepal seems peaceful today, president blocked his decision to Forests After Conflict Ends but only a few years ago it was remove the army chief from his CHISAPANI, Nepal—In this grow up and restore the forest. hard to travel outside the main post. In protest to the president’s community of 1,000 people on Chaudhary and a half-dozen cities without experiencing the controversial move, the Maoists the flat Terai plains of Nepal other women harvesting the effects of the 10-year guerrilla blocked parliamentary sessions, near the Indian border, Kokila grass on a recent visit said they war that left 15,000 people dead including passage of the annual Chaudhary, 29, swings her sickle knew that U.S. funds had helped and tore apart the government— budget, but continued to partici- at the tough stems of lemon build the new crop and set up the leading to the ouster of the mon- pate in the drafting of the coun- grass, planted through a USAID- extraction factory. Today, in fact, archy in 2008. try’s new constitution. funded project to boost income USAID signs are posted on proj- In one village in the Terai— Up to 19,600 Maoist guerrilla and prevent erosion. ects—after many years of con- the plains near the Indian fron- fighters remain in camps under “USAID [offered to] trained flict when it was safer not to tier—an aid worker on a USAID- U.N. supervision, hoping to me. I thought, ‘Why should I mention the U.S. connection. funded project said “Maoists either join the Nepali army or be come?’ and then decided that this Chaudhary, who finished the th stopped USAID workers four trained for new jobs. The Mao- A woman of Nepal’s Tamang was barren land and if I cultivate it 10 grade in school and has two years ago and asked us, ‘What ists have threatened to continue ethnic group is walking on a I will make some money,” she said. sons, said she used to do house- money goes to your salary?’ I their protests unless the parlia- trail near Langtang mountain The spicy-smelling grass is work and sell vegetables, but last told them 12 percent. Some 88 ment discusses the override of and wearing jewelry typical of bundled into sheaves and trucked year earned 12,000 rupees in the Tibetan culture. percent went to the project—65 the prime minister’s removal of to a small factory where the lemon grass project—about $160 percent to farmers and 25 percent the army chief. essential oils in the grass are U.S.—and she expects to earn the for input supplies such as seeds, Throughout this tumult, other political parties, the Nepali extracted and distilled for use in same or more this year. fertilizer, pesticide, and USAID, which has funded Nepal government, and two facilitators cosmetics. Asked if cutting the tough insecticide.” peace projects since 2003, has to help the different sides work The land had been logged grass was as hard as it appeared, The unarmed Maoists detained been supporting informal, politi- together to resolve conflicts. over the years. Now the lemon she laughed and said, “You have him for two hours, interrogated cal talks between the three main “This sort of help was really grass allows new Sal trees to to be strong. I am.” . him, and read through his proj- parliamentary parties: the Mao- instrumental for the peace pro- ect’s computer printouts to assure ists, the Nepali Congress, and the cess,” said Ghimire. they agreed with his assertions. United Marxist-Leninist Party. The peace process helped by Trekkers Help Mountain Villages Develop They also checked the facts with “We created in 2003 a space sharing the experience of other the local farmers. Once satisfied, for informal dialogue between countries and giving the Nepalis You are panting in the thin Along the trails, community he released the aid workers with second and third level party peo- access to literature and knowl- air 10,000 feet above sea level forests protected and managed a warning “not to wear flashy ple—even the Maoists partici- edge of peace building, he said. as the rocky trail climbs steeply by USAID-supported pro- clothes.” pated,” said a USAID Nepali The U.S. aid team is currently towards the white Himalayan grams continue to grow tall During the conflict, the Nepal staff member. “Now we are try- helping Nepal create a Truth and giants up the valley ahead. Sud- and stave off erosion and land- government also failed to pro- ing to help the parties clear the Reconciliation Commission to denly you hear the dull chimes slides. Aid programs also sup- vide adequate services to the [parliamentary] deadlock.” promote reconciliation between of the cowbells. port schools, improve agricul- population and questioned aid U.S. help has proved critical the civilians who suffered or had The foreign trekkers and the ture on the terraced fields, and workers trying to access areas of in ending the conflict and moving loved ones die during the con- Nepali porters all scramble to offer health care such as con- the country where government toward reconciliation according flict and the combatants on both the edge of the trail as the sharp dom distribution to prevent forces were fighting insurgents. to the Nepali government Chief sides. USAID is also helping the horns of long-haired yaks or disease. The Maoists eventually Secretary Madhav Ghimire. Ministry of Peace and Recon- hairless “dzo”—a mix of yak When Everest was first con- joined the political process, par- “USAID and the U.S. govern- struction strengthen local peace and cow—appear, laden with quered by Edmund Hillary and ticipated in elections, and ment helped us create a condu- committees to move the peace tents, sleeping bags, cooking Tenzing Norgay in 1952, became the largest party in the cive environment to resolve process out of the center into equipment, and bottles of beer. climbers and trekkers stayed in Constituent Assembly. After- armed conflict in the country,” local levels. The gentle animals pass and tents or in village homes where wards, the Maoist leader Pushpa said Ghimire in an interview. But despite progress, there is you resume the climb. people lived a simple and hard Kamal Dahal, known as Pra- “The government was not in a rising tension and turmoil out- A porter is easily hired at the life without education, medical chanda, became prime minister. position to deal with the Maoists. side the capital. In the country- start of the trail for $10 a day— care, or electricity. Today, But in May 2008 he abruptly The USAID initiative created side, ethnic groups are demand- $20 if they speak English. Most thanks to perseverance, aid resigned when the country’s space for both players—the gov- ing their rights under a new are Sherpas, Tamang, Rai, or programs, and income from ernment and constitution, political party from other hill tribes. trekkers, people are better fed the Maoists— youth groups compete for sup- Each day in October, when and have warm clothing to to share their port—sometimes violently— the monsoon rains end, hun- endure the frosty nights. Many expectations from a disenchanted population, dreds of trekkers start out for guides have graduated from a and for and criminal groups are taking Everest Base Camp at 17,000 high school built by Hillary. government advantage of the inadequate or feet, higher passes or peaks, or But along the trail, with the feedback.” non-existent police presence. simply Namche Bazzar at black and white stony summit Leaders of The May 28 deadline for the 12,000 feet, the largest village of Everest looming close by, seven political Constituent Assembly to pro- in the Sherpa region. school children perform Nepali parties were mulgate a new constitution Namche is full of small shops dances to flute and drum music involved and looms large as the parties con- selling handicrafts and warm as they seek contributions from used the pro- tinue to negotiate elements of clothing. Small hotels and guest trekkers for a school library. cess “to share the new statute while attempting houses offer hot showers, warm And sacks of USAID food are how the con- to carry out the peace agreement bedding, and decent meals. carried over ice and stone to flict could be signed in 2006. Around the crowded tables, trek- hungry settlements by yak cara- resolved.” Nepalese anxiously await the kers and climbers discuss how to vans. It reminds a visitor that USAID outcome, remaining hopeful the avoid altitude sickness, what whatever has been achieved in At the Monkey Temple outside Kathmandu, a funded meet- parties can consolidate the coun- routes are best to take, and where 40 years since his last visit, monkey eats offerings left to a carved stone ings between try’s gains toward a peaceful and they’ve been in the past. much remains to be done. . image of Hanuman, the Hindu monkey god. the Maoists, prosperous democracy. .

10 FrontLines February 2010 page 11 THE REGIONS

AFRICA Kenyan Mothers Choose Hospitals for Births By Elizabeth Walsh When 18-year-old Salma in-hospital deliveries. Today, Akéno gave birth earlier this there are more than 40 club year, she made a choice many members, and Owaka is seeing other mothers in rural Kenya fewer complications and an don’t make—she decided to increase in infant immunizations. deliver her first-born in a hospi- “Now we are able to monitor tal, not at home. pregnancies earlier, more mothers Now she is encouraging other are having safe deliveries, and their women to do the same as part of a babies are healthier, too,” said new “Mothers Club” at the Kendu Owaka. “We also use the opportu- MSH

Bay Sub-district Hospital in west- nity to talk to the women about Walsh, ern Kenya’s Nyanza province. family planning, paternal involve- The club is the idea of Jane ment in the family, and the risks of

Owaka, the hospital’s chief nurs- HIV/AIDS.” Elizabeth Photo by ing officer. Owaka was one of Akéno is now the secretary Members of the Mothers Club in western Kenya 365 health workers from across for the Mothers Club, her first the country that completed the leadership role in her young life- “Every day, whether I’m in their babies in the hospital,” babies will be well monitored.” six-month Leadership Develop- time. She is using her post to church, or fetching water, wher- Akéno said. “By doing this, we Elizabeth Walsh is a commu- ment Program (LDP), which raise awareness of the impor- ever I meet other mothers, I tell can be sure we are not taking risks nications advisor with Manage- teaches leadership and manage- tance of hospital deliveries. them why it is important to deliver with our own health, and that our ment Sciences for Health. . ment skills and helps to address challenges in health facilities. Owaka and her team were fac- ASIA ing the fact that one in three women in the area give birth at home and not in a health facility. TV Show Inspires Future Women who deliver at home face greater risk of complications and infections, and their babies are Cambodian Leaders less likely to be fully vaccinated. The program, funded by PHNOM PENH, States, an incentive that is highly students in Cambo- USAID’s office in Kenya, is Cambodia—A reality show prized by Cambodian youth and dia, because they offered through Management based loosely on America’s helps attract strong contestants. are afraid of getting Sciences for Health. “Apprentice” and “American The private sector is capital- involved in poli- Eager to put her new manage- Idol” is testing the leadership izing on the show’s popularity tics,” she said. ment skills to use, Owaka rallied and debating skills of promising through sponsorship deals, “Competing in the her colleagues to nearly double the young Cambodians. which currently account for 23 ‘Youth Leadership hospital delivery rate to 60 percent. The USAID-funded “Youth percent of its budget, up from 7 Challenge’ has They created the Mothers Club, Leadership Challenge” is giving percent during the first season. given me the confi- which recruits women attending Cambodian youth new opportu- Many former contestants dence and skills I the hospital’s prenatal clinic. nities to develop the next gen- have used the show to further need to pursue a Women are asked to deliver eration of leaders in a country their studies and careers. Kong career in this field.” their next child at the hospital, where the median age is 22. Sorita, a 22-year-old interna- In September and to meet in a group twice a With 2.1 million viewers, the tional relations major, used the 2009, Sophal Yun, month to receive health educa- show recently completed its skills she learned on the show to the winner of sea-

tion, including safe motherhood sixth season and airs nationally win an election for student body son four, and Miller John Photo by practices. They also are asked to on CTN, Cambodia’s most pop- president at Pannassasstra Uni- Chhem Pe, the win- Chhem Pe and Sophal Yun at Battery Park in educate other women in their vil- ular TV station. versity, Cambodia’s most presti- ner of season five, New York City lages about safe motherhood and Each season begins with 16 gious university. visited New York the risks of delivering at home. contestants. During weekly epi- During the 15-day campaign City and Washington. Their two- competition’s youngest winner Owaka got contributions sodes, contestants are divided period, she formed a committee week study tour combined sight- and came from a poor family in from the community to fund the into two teams that compete in that polled students about their seeing in both cities with educa- rural Cambodia. After gaining program which pays mothers a challenges such as organizing a concerns and expectations and tional enrichment. In national prominence in the com- small stipend for their travel to petition campaign or a book used the data to develop a plat- Washington, they toured the U.S. petition, he is making plans to and from the hospital. It also drive. At the end of each epi- form. Kong won three times as Capitol and attended a congres- attend university and study inter- covers the cost of amenities such sode, contestants vote off two many votes as her competitor. sional hearing, enabling them to national relations and rural as warm water and hot tea for fellow cast members. In the final After graduation, Kong plans see firsthand how an open, dem- development. the women after they give birth. episode each season, two final- to pursue a career in Cambodia’s ocratic government functions. “This program will help In January, prior to the cre- ists compete in a debate and the diplomatic corps and eventually “My parents are very proud shape the skills that I will bring ation of the club, only 20 women audience chooses the winner by run for political office, perhaps that I earned my way through [to my career],” said Chhem. . had given birth in the hospital. texting in their votes. even prime minister. the program—and especially the For more on Cambodia, see By May, just half-way through Each season’s winner has the “International relations is not trip to the U.S.,” said Chhem. the Mission of the Month on the program, 36 women had opportunity to visit the United a very popular choice for women At age 19, Chhem was the page 3.

www.usaid.gov 11 page 12 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

Kenya’s Parliament Learns to Listen to Voters Indonesian and U.S. By Sven Lindholm NAIROBI, Kenya—In Kenya’s Support for the media center areas have brought people universities, bus stations, can- came from USAID, which together for the first time since Laws Aim to Block teens, rural markets, and homes, worked with the parliament to the 2008 violence—also provide the air is constantly abuzz with help it improve its legislative and daily newspapers, books, and Illegal Logging talk of politics. Citizens debate oversight functions. USAID is recordings of parliament. political issues and complain that also giving attention to the other “The violence erupted because YOGYAKARTA, supply of lumber, it will help members of parliament (MPs) end, helping Kenyans to better we did not have other alternative Indonesia—It is no secret to save the planet, too.” fail to follow through on electoral connect with the MPs. ways to respond to anger and that Indonesia is quickly losing Some in the timber industry, promises to represent constituent “Many Kenyans believe it frustration over the poll results,” its forests: since 1950, half its however, have complained that interests. takes courage and special access said David Birech, the commu- 150 million hectares of wood- misinformation threatens to This situation began to shift to hold MPs accountable; they are nity group secretary for Lol lands have been cut. block timber sales to the on Sept. 17, 2009, when Kenyans unsure how to best interact with Keringet. “If we continue to have In 2007, Indonesia exported United States. watched a broadcast from the their MPs,” said John Langlois, such meetings, the knowledge $6.9 billion in wood-based “Many companies still floor of the Kenyan legislature as country representative of will change this community.” products. Today, it continues to don’t know what the Lacey parliament rejected the presi- USAID’s Office of Transition Ini- Each center now hosts more lose about 1.2 million hectares Act is. They need training on dent’s nominations for the direc- tiatives. “Democratic governance than 200 community members of woodlands a year and its how to complete the docu- tors of the Anti-Corruption Com- comes from a partnership between three times a week when parlia- greenhouse gas emissions from ments and what they need to mission by a vote of 86 to 45. the politicians and the people.” ment is in session. And residents deforestation could amount to show to prove the legality of The vote sent a message that Since Kenya’s independence, have begun to share ideas and 5 percent of the world’s total their supplies,” explained Lee the parliament intended to exer- the Kiswahili word for an elected information. emissions. A good portion of Yuen Chak, executive director cise its authority independent of official has changed from USAID also supported a those losses come from the of Sumalindo, one of Indone- the president, and the broadcast Mjumbe (messenger) to Mheshi- Kenyan NGO that hosted forums illegal harvest of timber. sia’s largest lumber was momentous because it gave miwa (the respected one), imply- of constituents and MPs in the To help Indonesia and other companies. average Kenyans an opportunity ing greater deference to officials. Rift Valley region. countries fight illegal logging, Indonesia also has a new to see—in real time—what was Outside Nairobi, particularly in The forums helped people view the U.S. recently amended the timber verification law requir- happening in Nairobi. areas of the Rift Valley hit by post- MPs as “messengers,” while MPs Lacey Act, a law that requires ing all wood produce to be The broadcast came directly electoral violence in early 2008, agreed to consult more frequently U.S. companies to ensure that tracked from the time it is cut from the parliament’s floor in the there is scant evidence of govern- to learn the messages their voters all timber and other plant prod- until it is exported. All trees capital. While the Kenya Broad- ment in people’s day-to-day lives; want to send to parliament. MPs ucts for import into the U.S. and stumps that are left after casting Corporation has aired and little information about politi- also agreed to keep constituents are legally harvested. The new the harvest must have identifi- live broadcasts, the newly cal developments in Nairobi. informed about the activities and U.S. law coincides with a new cation numbers stamped on equipped production studio has To overcome this, USAID decisions of parliament. One MP Indonesian timber law. them to identify the wood enabled the Parliamentary provided eight community cen- has even opened a hotline number USAID is working with through the manufacturing Broadcasting Unit to produce ters in Nandi District, near Eldo- to facilitate this communication. Indonesia’s Ministry of For- process and on to export. TV and radio programs from the ret in the Rift Valley, with televi- The steps by USAID aim to estry and national trade asso- USAID has supported the parliament’s floor and air the sions so residents could watch prevent violence as an expression ciations to help Indonesian development of such log track- proceedings live throughout the and discuss parliament sessions. of political frustration in the timber companies understand ing systems. county. The centers—which in some future. . the Lacey Act, con- trol global trade in illegal timber, and To help Indonesia and save Indonesia’s quickly dwindling other countries fight forests. The program includes an effort to illegal logging, the U.S. save the habitat of the endangered recently amended the orangutan. The Lacey Act Lacey Act, a law that makes U.S. importers legally liable for requires U.S. companies breaking the laws of to ensure that all timber source countries and importing illegally and other plant products harvested plant prod- ucts such as timber, for import into the U.S. paper, or wood furniture. are legally harvested. “It’s really quite simple,” explained Jajak Putro, manager of Java Furni, a small furniture When the Indonesian sys- producer with a modest manu- tem is in place and the Lacey Thousands marked World AIDS Day 2009 on Dec. 1 with commemorations and other special events. facturing operation on the out- Act is fully functioning, it is The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) showcased the work of young artists who designed separate posters to capture the message of youth awareness and engagement in the fight skirts of Yogyakarta. “This not expected that the large illegal against HIV/AIDS. PEPFAR kicked off a competition for the poster designs on World AIDS Day 2008, only assures that companies deforestation rate in Indonesia and people between ages 5 and 20 from five continents entered with their designs. The posters are like ours have a sustainable will be significantly reduced.. now part of the exhibit “Celebrate Life,” which launched on World AIDS Day at USAID and will travel around the world this year. The above poster was submitted by S. Varsha, age 13, India.

12 FrontLines February 2010 page 13 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS USAID Kahrmann, David Photo by A donkey struggles against a veterinarian’s injection in Jijiga. ETHIOPIA MARKS 25 YEARS SINCE BAND AID By David Kahrmann USAID

Television newscasts beamed are taking action to ensure the human suffering of the 1984 that sufficient stocks are in famine in Ethiopia to living rooms place, with USAID recently around the world. committing an additional Kahrmann, David Photo by Global outcry helped trigger a $70 million. A young student in Ethiopia’s Somali region massive relief effort with donor USAID also introduced a countries and humanitarian organi- program to link the most zations mobilizing to get food to vulnerable farmers and Ethiopia. Irish singer-songwriter herders to markets and to Bob Geldof helped raise over $100 help them diversify their million by bringing together high- incomes. USAID runs a profile musicians to create the modest agricultural program charity supergroup “Band Aid.” to increase productivity, Eventually, the efforts ended support livestock, and

the famine, but not before 1 mil- Lillian deValcourt-Ayala Photo by improve the business lion people died. The question Lunch is served through a USAID- environment. now is: How much has changed? supported school feeding program. The Agency also works Geldof returned to Ethiopia in to link entrepreneurs to mar- December for the 25th anniversary in many areas that is because of kets and reduce costs. For exam- of the release of the single “Do massive amounts of international ple, in coffee production, USAID They Know It’s Christmas?” And, food assistance coming into the helps producers by introducing while some critics claim that country. improved growing, processing, assistance to Ethiopia has accom- To ensure that the 1984 famine and marketing techniques. plished little since that famine, never be repeated, USAID funds After speaking with women at Geldof strongly disagreed. the government’s food and cash a USAID constructed livestock “So it was all a waste of time,” for work initiative, which provides market, Cousin said: “The women he sarcastically told The Indepen- aid to 7.5 million chronically food told me that because they are earn- dent after seeing schools, clinics, insecure people. ing incomes, they are no longer and healthy children. “The nay- On an earlier return visit here worried about where their food sayers make me puke.” in 2003, Geldof asked why people will come from and, as such, they Indeed, the Ethiopian govern- were still starving in Ethiopia are now able to send their children ment is investing in roads and after so many years. Today, in to school.” major infrastructure projects. good years, Ethiopia can almost In July 2009, President Barack Shops are full, and much of the meet its own food needs. But Obama pledged to invest $3.5 bil- capital Addis Ababa is a huge 2010 is not predicted to be one of lion in agriculture as part of the construction zone. those good years. Global Hunger and Food Security USAID Yet, as Ertharin Cousin, the FEWSNET—the USAID-sup- Initiative. U.S. ambassador to the U.N. ported famine early warning sys- Cousin said this pledge “…is Agencies in Rome, witnessed on a tem—reports below normal rains not just about seed and fertilizer recent visit, Ethiopia is still far between June and September 2009 but includes education and market Kahrmann, David Photo by from being food secure. Ethiopi- will hurt crops and livestock this development and, in particular, Camels pose at a livestock market built with USAID support. ans are not starving these days, but year. USAID and U.N. agencies support to women.” .

www.usaid.gov 13 page 14 CONTINUED. . .

HAITI from page 1 public pledged many millions ramping up landings from 30 to Since hundreds of thousands creating jobs to clean up rubble); Since Hurricane Mitch caused more. 150 a day. Since the seaport was left the city for smaller cities and education; telecommunications; widespread damage and loss of Shah won praise from senior damaged, the airport became the villages untouched by the quake, environment (including mud- life in the region in 1998, USAID administration officials for his major route for relief. Some USAID hoped to establish a sys- slides and drainage); food; has focused on having a standby unflappable focus and work dur- flights were diverted to the tem of support for host families health; protection (especially RMT and DART ready to swing ing the crisis, according to The Dominican Republic, which who take in relatives and friends orphans and vulnerable chil- into action. After major responses Washington Post. shares the island of Hispaniola from Port-au-Prince—a system dren); water; sanitation; and like the tsunami in the Indian “Dr. Shah has been excel- with Haiti. Aid was then trucked that worked well in the Swat hygiene. Ocean in 2004 and the Pakistan lent,” said Denis McDonough, overland to quake survivors. Valley, Pakistan, displacement a “If there is an unsung hero in earthquake in 2005, “we tried to National Security Council chief The U.S. Navy sent the air- year earlier. the response to the quake,” said refine the system,” Fleming said. of staff, who The Post said craft carrier USS Carl Vincent to Cluster teams of foreign aid Fleming, “it is having the “During an emergency is not worked closely with Shah since anchor off Port-au-Prince so its agencies formed to tackle shelter response teams ready—it is all the time to plan. We needed to the earthquake struck. “Focused. helicopters could lift water, and other issues such as: agricul- the systems we built before the be ready. That’s what the news- Calm. Facts-based.” food, and other supplies to dis- ture; early recovery (including disaster.” papers don’t see.” . Speaking to reporters the day tribution points. The Navy also after the quake, Shah said, “The sent the hospital ship USNS goal of the relief effort in the first Comfort from Baltimore. 72 hours will be very focused on USAID physician Robert Fer- Your Voice saving lives. That is the presi- ris was on the Comfort and dent’s top priority and is what the reported to FrontLines that hun- By Maxine Hillary president has directed us to do.” dreds of Haitians are being Secretary of State Hillary Rod- treated daily for fractures, lac- Your Voice, a continuing FrontLines feature, offers personal observations from USAID ham Clinton cut short a trip to erations, and other injuries. He employees. Maxine Hillary is the public affairs officer for the Bureau for Latin America Asia and returned to Washington said that the huge ship was fairly to help handle the crisis. She and stable except for the occasional and the Caribbean. Shah visited Haiti a few days after bump from a quake aftershock. the quake and met with Haitian On the ground, the 31 mem- Dominican Republic: Que Aperidá how you will know.” There was President René Préval, who was bers of the USAID Disaster a lot to try. attempting to run a government Assistance Response Team There’s a saying in the Velázquez I enjoyed some of the best out of a small police station near (DART) landed soon after the Dominican Republic, Que launched coffee I’ve ever had—grown the airport. Many key officials had quake and began traveling around aperidá, or “How amazing.” And campaigns USAID with assistance from a USAID been lost in the wreckage. the city assessing damage and so I thought as I looked out the that ended Adams, coffee farmer project. I walked Los Angeles County fire needs; and coordinating the window as the plane banked over life as they on Calle Las Damas, the oldest captain Bryan Wells, sent by deliveries of food, water, and the island on the way to Las knew it for paved street in the Americas. I USAID to save people from col- medical care to survivors. Américas International Airport. the indig- Patricia Photo by celebrated my birthday across lapsed buildings, told a reporter Maxine Hillary The DART team was sleeping This was more than a chance enous peo- from Alcázar de Colón, built in that “being here on behalf of on the floor in offices at the U.S. to meet the development out- ples of the 1512 by Columbus’ son Diego. I USAID in support of the Haitian Embassy, which survived the reach coordinators (DOCs) from region and the beginning of the visited the remains of Captain government is great.” quake intact, or under tents and the Dominican Republic, Haiti, African slave trade. Here is where Kidd’s shipwreck which USAID “And when we pull people off hangars at the airport, which Eastern Caribbean, and Jamaica. indigenous, African, and Spanish is helping to transform into a a rubble pile and spontaneously became the hub for emergency It was my first trip as part of my cultures survived and blended to living museum. And to bring me people start chanting ‘USA, USA,’ relief. work for the Bureau for Latin make the Dominican Republic back to the 21st century, I took a it gives you a great sense of pride. Two weeks after the quake America and the Caribbean. truly unique. trip on Santo Domingo’s newly And the guys really feel it. They hit, some 863 emergency work- How apropos that it is also the The Cathedral de Santa completed subway line. feel proud to represent the Ameri- ers were in Haiti carrying out place where the written history María, built in the early 1500s, Today, the USAID office in the can people here in Haiti.” USAID assistance. This included of our region began. is the first cathedral in the Amer- Dominican Republic implements Some 47 people were pulled over 500 search and rescue I exited the baggage claim area icas and reputed to have been a $41.8 million development pro- alive from the wrecked city by workers and 348 staff from the to a flag-waving crowd, a band the final resting place of Christo- gram to advance the CAFTA-DR Urban Search and Rescue Department of Health and playing, television cameras, and a pher Columbus before his [Dominican Republic-Central (USAR) teams deployed by Human Services (HHS), which trio of girls dancing in colorful remains were moved to Spain. America Free Trade Agreement]. USAID from Los Angeles County, set up five emergency clinics flowing shirts. My local counter- Along with the carved animals, This contributes to sustainable Calif., and Fairfax County, Va., as and other medical aid services. part and the driver grinned and mahogany altar, stained glass, economic growth, strengthens well as four other teams sent by USAID also gave funds to cheered. Ms. Dominican Repub- and vaulted ceilings, you get a democratic institutions, and pro- USAID in coordination with the other groups to carry out emer- lic was on my flight coming from sense of history and of faith. tects the country’s fragile ecosys- Federal Emergency Management gency assistance including: $36 Miami and I’d basked in the On Calle El Conde or Street tems. The USAID Sustainable Agency (FEMA) from Miami- million to FEMA; $33 million to shadow of her spotlight. Still, it of the Count, local color Tourism Alliance for the Domini- Dade, Miami City, Virginia Beach, HHS; $7 million to the Interna- was an exciting few seconds abounds in everything from ven- can Republic, for example, pro- and New York City. tional Organization for Migra- while I thought it was for me and dors hawking art and souvenirs, motes eco-friendly tourism, so Another 87 people were tion; $10 million to the World I thought, Que aperidá. to restaurants, homes, and busi- that everything I experienced will saved by dozens of other rescue Food Program; and $5 million to The Dominican Republic nesses. Character is etched in the be there for generations to come. teams sent by other countries. the World Health Organization. holds treasures that signify impor- cobblestone walkways and in the When I bid farewell to my Together, according to the Fleming said that USAID was tance historically, spiritually, and locals you meet such as the child DR colleagues, I was reminded United Nations, a record number working with other aid groups politically. A walk around the serenading with his guitar, the that the Dominican Republic of people were saved in a mod- and the Haitian government to Zona Colonial (Colonial Zone) in impromptu domino players, and has become one of the largest ern disaster, said James Fleming, determine how to shelter the the capital city of Santo Domingo the street dog who wanted a economies in the region. As I director of the RMT. hundreds of thousands of people is like a trek through a history stroke on the head more than the used the last of my Dominican The U.S. military sent more made homeless by the disaster— book of the Americas. scraps saved from my lunch. pesos at the airport for yet more than 10,000 troops to protect and especially as the rainy season It’s not all pretty. This is where There’s another saying in the packages of that delicious cof- deliver aid, and oversee opera- begins in May and hurricane famous conquistadores including Dominican Republic. Probando fee, I thought to myself, Que tions at the damaged airport, season begins in June. Cortés, Ponce de León, and e que se guisa, or “By trying is aperidá! .

14 FrontLines February 2010 page 15 CONTINUED. . .

JORDAN from page 6 KOSOVO from page 6 CLINTON from page 2

Another USAID-supported program is focused mostly in rural invest in places that are strategi- She also said that the Obama project, the Good Water Neigh- areas and poorer towns. cally critical but where we are not “We hope to one administration will continue to bors Project, brings together At the technical school in guaranteed success,” she said. integrate development more youth, adults, and mayors from Veliko Ropotovo/Ropotove e Clinton also called for shift- day put ourselves closely with defense and diplo- 25 Israeli, Jordanian, and Pales- Madhe in Kamenica/ë/a munici- ing decision-making power on macy in the field, rejecting con- tinian communities to develop pality, about 80 students are aid programs from foreign out of the aid cerns that the development role new ways to address environ- using a new computer lab outfit- experts to local people, calling might be turned over to diplo- mental threats. ted for after-school classes. The this approach “partnership, not business, because mats or defense experts. Each community developed lab includes 11 networked com- patronage.” She said developing “The experience and techni- a “neighbors’ path” to highlight puters with Internet access and a nations should adopt “sound countries will no cal knowledge that our develop- environmental challenges and multimedia projector. economic policies…. The Amer- ment experts bring to their work success stories. The paths end The computer lab and after- ican taxpayer cannot pick up the longer need this are irreplaceable,” she said. at the borders between the school classes result from a part- tab for those who are able but “Whether trained in agriculture, communities to highlight the nership between the school, the unwilling to help themselves.” kind of help.” public health, education, or eco- need for and benefits of municipality, and USAID. The Clinton said there are early nomics, our experts are the face, cooperation. Agency also supports teachers indications of success in U.S. aid brains, heart, and soul of U.S. “The sharing of air and water leading the after-school English programs delivered through the of dependence that aid can cre- development worldwide.” requires cooperation between the and computer classes. Millennium Challenge Corpora- ate by helping countries build Clinton also noted a new two sides,” said Moayed Hus- Many students have praised the tion to countries with respon- their own institutions and their emphasis on aiding agriculture sein, the Palestinian mayor of program as their first chance to sible governments. own capacity to deliver essen- in the developing world, using Baqa a-Sharqiya. learn basic computer skills. Said While U.S. foreign aid tial services.” new technologies such as cell Working together through the one student: “I love the U.S. and I would continue to respond to “We hope to one day put our- phones and the Internet to assist project, mayors address shared love learning about computers. I humanitarian needs such as selves out of the aid business, economic growth, and focusing concerns. In one case, three thank you for this opportunity.” emergencies and hunger, Clin- because countries will no longer on education and micro credits mayors—one Jordanian and two School principals have also ton said we can “break the cycle need this kind of help,” she said. for women and girls. . —B.B. Israeli—are leading an effort to expressed gratitude for help in establish a transboundary peace bringing the schools into the park known as the Jordan River computer age. FrontLines Peace Park. Because the training is free, The three mayors have students who cannot afford to is published by the U.S. Agency for International Development, declared that the Peace Park rep- pay for such courses have access through the Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs. resents “the start of a larger to the program. rehabilitation project of the Jor- The computer lab is the sixth "I realize that there are among us those who are weary of sustaining this continual effort to help dan River, as a symbol for sus- to open in schools with Serbian- other nations. But I would ask them to look at a map and recognize that many of those whom we help tainable regional development.” speaking students as part of the live on the 'front lines' of the long twilight struggle for freedom—that others are new nations posed between order and chaos—and the rest are older nations now undergoing a turbulent transition of new The Peace Park will showcase program. Computer labs also expectations. Our efforts to help them help themselves, to demonstrate and to strengthen the vitality of and protect the shared cultural opened in several Kosovo Alba- and natural heritage of the Jor- free institutions, are small in cost compared to our military outlays for the defense of freedom." nian schools. —John F. Kennedy, Special Message to the Congress on Foreign Aid, March 13, 1962 dan River Valley while creating Megan Falvey is the former job opportunities through eco- World Learning country director tourism. . for Kosovo. . Joseph A. Fredericks Director of Public Information

FRONTLINES STAFF COLOMBIA from page 6 Ben Barber, Editorial Director either the state or the Inter-Amer- EAFIT University (Escuela de Claire McIntyre, Production Editor ican Commission on Human Administración, Finanzas e Insti- Angela Rucker, Writer Rights. tuto Tecnológico) of Medellin and John Waggoner, Writer In 2009, 146 students in fields the Universidad Libre of Pereira Patricia Adams, Photo Librarian such as social sciences and law were selected as finalists; the latter Mary Jane Cotter, Human Resources Coordinator and Employee Liaison at 73 universities nationwide was declared the winner on Sept. CORRESPONDENTS: 18, 2009. signed up for the competition— AFGE – Willy Hardin; AFR – Susan Quinn, Ranta Russell; AFSA – Francisco Zamora; nearly twice as many as in 2008. Students were awarded an ASIA – Jan Cartwright; CFBCI – Heather MacLean; DCHA – Rebecca Gustafson, Sven Lindholm, Amanda Eichelkraut; internship in a regional ombuds- After seven years, the contest EGAT – Jane Stanley, Ashley Allen; E&E – Michael Hathaway; EOP – Gloria Blackwell; GC – Harmony Wade; man office, a complete book col- has had a significant impact on ODP – Lorin Kavanaugh-Ulku; GH – Sandra Jordan, Chris Thomas, Jessica DiRocco; lection on human rights and higher education programs in IG – Debra Scott; LAC – Maxine Hillary; LPA – Barbara Bennett; Colombia. Public and private international humanitarian law, M – Lauren Gabler; ME – Hope Bryer, Jan Cartwright; universities have incorporated and travel expenses for partici- SEC – Dwayne Moore, Lorraine Meehan specific coursework on human pation in the 2010 Annual Inter- rights and international humani- American Human Rights Moot tarian law into their curricula. Court Competition in Washing- Additionally, research groups ton. This competition aims to Submit notices, story ideas, feedback to FrontLines articles and requests have been established to discuss strengthen understanding of to be added to the mailing list to [email protected]. human rights issues among col- human rights and humanitarian lege students. The National law around the world and has The icon at the end of a story indicates that associated videos are available through the Ombudsman’s Office now co- trained more than 1,700 students online version of FrontLines. Go to www.usaid.gov/frontlines to view these videos. sponsors the moot court and has and faculty from roughly 160 been promoting it since 2007. universities in 35 countries on After a five-day oral competi- the Inter-American human rights tion among dozens of universities, legal system. .

www.usaid.gov 15 page 16 SPOTLIGHT: RESCUING HAITI

AFTER THE EARTHQUAKE

USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, center, is briefed by USAID and Fairfax County, Va., Urban Search AFP and Rescue workers at the site of the Hotel Montana in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Jan. 23. Richards, Paul J. Photo by Rescue workers carry student Mikila Foster, who was trapped for Members of 72 hours in rubble at the University of Port-au-Prince. the Fairfax County, Va., Urban Search and Rescue Team and others remove a body AFP As of Feb. 16 from a collapsed building in The Haitian government reports 467,000 displaced persons Port-au-Prince. Richards, left Port-au-Prince for the Artibonite, Anse, and other

departments. Paul J. Photo by USAID officials told President René Préval there is a need for a broad shelter approach, including tents, host family support, transitional shelter, and planned settlements within and outside Port-au-Prince. USAID has provided $346 million in earthquake response funding. USAID has sent dozens of relief flights into Haiti. One flight brought 366 hygiene kits; 110 rolls of plastic sheeting for 5,500 people; and four 10,000-liter water bladders.

Since the earthquake, U.S. emergency food has reached USAID 3.4 million people through the U.N. World Food Program,

Catholic Relief Services, World Vision, ACDI/VOCA, and Sugrue,Abby other relief agencies. 16 sites established for large-scale food distribution of a Photo by 15-day ration of rice per family. Clocks from USAID’s Disaster Response Operations Center in the days following the Haiti earthquake

A K-9 member of the Fairfax County, Va., Urban Search and Rescue Team searches for survivors at a collapsed building at the Hotel Montana, AFP Jan. 17, in Port-au-Prince. Richards, See article, “US Rushes

Paul J. Photo by Haiti Aid As Quake Toll A Haitian man reacts to passing search and rescue teams. Rises,” page 1.

16 FrontLines February 2010