MAY  INSIDE At Town Hall, Shah Launches THIS ISSUE Policy Office, First Lady Hails Agency

Afghanistan at a glance. By Angela Rucker See page 12. At his first Town Hall meet- Michelle Obama thanked the reinvigorate the Agency and he

Photo courtesy of IRD ing with USAID employees May Agency for “inspiring” work called for greater use of science This Afghan man is learn- 5, Administrator Rajiv Shah said overseas. and technology in development. ing business skills as USAID will establish a policy Shah introduced a number of Obama said that, “Over the women train for construc- tion jobs and the Internet and budget office while first lady initiatives that he said will years, your work here has reaches more schools. touched millions of lives” through work on health care, edu- FRAMEWORK OBJECTIVES: cation, disaster , and Peace and Security agriculture. “I know that the mission has ’s largest wholesale market recovers been difficult over the last from bomb fire...... SEE PAGE 6 decade. The work that you do Governing Justly and Democratically has not been easy. You’ve often been asked to do more and more Internet centers encourage discussion and with less,” she said. transparency in Eurasia ...... SEE PAGE 6 Shah called for more innova- Investing in People tion, risk taking, and transpar- Brazil prepares youth for labor market ...... SEE PAGES 3 ent discussion of Agency fail- ures so they can become Economic Growth learning tools. He cited the U.S. and Sweden join forces to support example of development inno- financing in developing countries ...... SEE PAGE 5 Photo by USAID Photo by vators like the late Nobel Humanitarian Assistance Administrator Rajiv Shah welcomes first lady Michelle Obama during a Town Hall meeting at the Ronald Reagan Building May 5. The : its goals, volunteers, and see TOWN HALL on page 10 ᮣ relationship with USAID ...... SEE PAGE 2 WFP Head: U.S. to Help Muslim Hunger Leads Entrepreneurs to ‘Dangerous World’ By Angela Rucker and Brittany Jackson President Calls for The Obama administration nomic growth, and job cre- $1.8B Plan announced in April that USAID ation lag. will help new business owners The event took place nearly One person out of six in the launch ventures in Egypt and one year after President Barack world is in a state of chronic other mainly Muslim countries. Obama pledged a “new begin- hunger, said Josette Sheeran, A team of entrepreneurs-in- ning” with Muslim-majority executive director of the U.N. residence will try to kick start countries during a closely World Food Program (WFP), the Egypt business innovations watched speech in Cairo. which gets 40 percent of its —one of many plans announced Obama appeared at the confer- funding from USAID. Photo by Ben Barber, USAID Ben Barber, Photo by President announced in April that the U.S. will help during a two-day Presidential ence to follow through on that “A hungry world is a danger- entrepreneurs in Muslim-majority countries. Here, a West Bank Summit on Entrepreneurship promise. ous world,” she said at an April farmer supported by USAID grows vegetables under plastic in the held in Washington. “Today, we’re fulfilling my talk at the Johns Hopkins Uni- Jordan River Valley. See story, this page. Several hundred people commitment in Cairo to versity School of Advanced from more than 50 countries— deepen ties between business International Studies. Hunger U.S. Agency for International Development PRSRT STD not all of them Muslim— leaders, foundations, and affects foreign policy, peace, and Bureau for Legislative and Public Affairs stability, Sheeran said. Washington, D.C. 20523-6100 Postage and Fees attended the conference. entrepreneurs in the United PAID USAID High-profile entrepreneurs States and Muslim communi- The 2008 global food crisis Penalty for Private Use $300 Official Business Permit No. G-107 who work in Islamic coun- ties around the world,” Obama pushed an additional 200 million tries said it is possible to sur- said to an appreciative crowd people into hunger, yet Sheeran mount obstacles that may be of delegates packed into an said that “hunger is not over- unique to some countries or auditorium at the Ronald Rea- whelming” and must be handled cultures and to play a role in gan Building. “just one cup at a time.” transforming societies— “Trade between the United Food aid isn’t what it used to particularly in developing be. It’s now sophisticated and countries where trade, eco- see SUMMIT on page 10 ᮣ see HUNGER on page 11 ᮣ Page 2 INSIDE DEVELOPMENT

Interview with Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams New Peace Corps Director Aaron Williams, a former senior official at USAID, sat down on April 7 in his Washington headquarters office with FrontLines editor Ben Barber to discuss his plans for the future and the USAID-Peace Corps relationship.

Q: Wasn’t it once up as high as And in the USAID mission, field, shoulder to shoulder with amazing to get that kind of 15,000? many, many people are former people working on projects that leadership opportunity at 22 Peace Corps volunteers or staff. are going to become sustainable years of age. WILLIAMS: That’s right. In Then, when you talk to the host at the village level. Now, there And I was very fortunate the Kennedy/Shriver era. We’d governments, many of the minis- are some advisors in secondary because I met my wife in the Aaron Williams like to attain that if we continue ters have been positively impacted cities and capitals, but Peace Dominican Republic, which Q: What are your priorities as to receive resources. by Peace Corps volunteers in the Corps volunteers work primarily changed my life forever. Even- director of the Peace Corps? Growth is my first priority. past, at a very early age in some at the grassroots/village level. If tually, after I got my master’s What would you like to accom- The second is innovation. The cases; teachers that they encoun- you look at our HIV/AIDS pro- degree in business, I chose to plish in the next few years? Peace Corps is about to celebrate tered, or mentors, coaches, et grams, our malaria programs, join USAID and had a marvel- our 50th anniversary in 2011. I cetera. So they have a very posi- that’s where you’ll find a lot of ous 22-year career there. WILLIAMS: Well, this is a now have the chance to take a tive view of the Peace Corps. our volunteers in those sectors, wonderful time for the Peace look at all of our operations Then, when you go out to the working in towns and villages. Q: How do you see the Corps. The president has across the board—in headquar- field and look at projects in any USAID and the Peace Corps issued a call to service to ters, in the field—to see how we given country and you look at Q: Can you tell us a little bit relationship in Washington and Americans, and the Peace can innovate, reform, improve the leading NGOs—World about your own Peace Corps the field? Corps is a part of that. He’s our processes and our operations. Vision, CARE, Catholic Relief experience? asked us to build the Peace Services, Save the Children, WILLIAMS: It is absolutely a Corps. Q: What are the main goals of Mercy Corps—many of their WILLIAMS: I served in the wonderful relationship. Every- And Americans are the Peace Corps? project leaders are returned Dominican Republic from ’67 to where I go in the world, I visit responding. Applications are Peace Corps volunteers. ’70. I was a teacher trainer my with the USAID mission direc- up. We’ve got 15,000 applica- WILLIAMS: Our goals are: first two years. I worked in a tors, many of whom are my tions for about 4,000 positions, number one, provide Americans Q: What do you look for in vol- program that provided a high former colleagues and friends, so we have the demand. to countries that want trained unteers—what age group, exper- school education to rural school- and we have a very strong Americans want to serve. And personnel to assist them in tise? Generalists or farmers and teachers. The average one had a partnership between our Peace Congress has been very sup- development projects; two, give engineers? sixth-grade education. Corps country directors and portive. We have strong, the people of those countries a I rode on horseback and the USAID mission. bipartisan support on the Hill. better understanding of America, WILLIAMS: Enthusiasm and a walked and rode a motorcycle to And this is all encouraged I have three areas that I’m to see the true face of America, willingness to serve. That’s at visit them and I lived with them and supported by all of the focusing on as my priorities. shoulder to shoulder, side by the top of my list. Age has no in the villages where they lived ambassadors where we have First of all, we’re going to side, working with them at the bearing on it whatsoever. Our during the week. So I spent the Peace Corps programs. A lot of expand the number of coun- grassroots and community level; oldest volunteer is 85 years old. week out in the countryside with these folks are former Peace tries where we currently oper- and three, to bring that rich, var- She’s a health care worker in them and then I spent the week- Corps volunteers. We are look- ate. We just announced this ied experience back home to rural Morocco. ends teaching. These teachers ing for ways to strengthen and past year we are returning to America and enrich our society The vast majority tends to be were probably 20 years older broaden that relationship. Sierra Leone and Indonesia. and give Americans a broader in their mid to late 20s—gener- than I was. I was only 20 at the I have had some prelimi- And almost every week, I perspective on the world. alists, liberal arts graduates. time. They gave up their week- nary talks with [USAID] have either meetings or letters We’ve got about 200,000 That’s still the backbone of the ends and their entire summer for Administrator [Rajiv] Shah from our ambassadors in vari- alumni—returned Peace Corps Peace Corps. We also want the two years to enroll and be trained about ways that we can ous countries, or the ambas- volunteers—who are leaders in engineers, the health care spe- in this course. This was a tremen- strengthen and build the Peace sadors of host countries, ask- every sector in America. We cialists. But we take a liberal dous sacrifice for them and their Corps/USAID relationship. ing us to either enter for the have six returned Peace Corps arts graduate and we train them families. And it was a marvelous We’re part of the inter- first time or expand our pro- volunteers in the Congress. We for health projects or to teach experience for me. I had a chance agency Global Health Initia- grams in the country or reenter have many returned Peace Corps English as a second language or to work with some very dedi- tive he’s leading and we inter- a country. volunteers who are staff in the to work in the ICT areas. We cated people, and I like to think I act with USAID on PEPFAR And there are many coun- Congress. We have leaders in also train in 250 languages. made a contribution to improving [President’s Emergency Plan tries where we expand existing government, in public health, their lives and the lives of chil- for AIDS Relief] and the Food programs such as TOEFL [Test higher education, and business. Q: Do volunteers still go out to dren they taught. Security Initiative. We also of English as a Foreign Lan- There’s a chance to really the villages for long stays? After two years, I was asked receive significant funds from guage]; education, which engage with that community. to go to the Catholic university USAID’s special project assis- remains our number-one sec- WILLIAMS: Oh, yeah. Often, in the Dominican Republic—the tance grants supporting grass- tor; and health, including HIV/ Q: Do many Peace Corps volun- they live in remote areas. first private university in the roots projects. AIDS and malaria awareness teers lean towards a develop- nation—to create a teaching pro- and prevention. ment career at USAID or at Q: I recall that some years ago gram for their senior students in Q: How do you see the young ICT [information and com- other agencies? they often stayed in the capital the education department. people today? Do you think munications technology] is cities. that there’s a rebirth of selfless also growing; and small busi- WILLIAMS: That’s a great Q: You didn’t have a graduate international effort to improve ness development and agricul- question. After I was sworn in, I WILLIAMS: Well, I think that degree in teaching? the world? tural development are other went to see the Peace Corps in that model probably was not key sectors. action, right now in 2010, in the unusual in the ’60s and the ’70s. WILLIAMS: No. The Peace WILLIAMS: I think you really Dominican Republic, Nicaragua, But now volunteers work all Corps gave me the opportunity captured it in that expression: a Q: How many volunteers do South Africa, and Thailand. over the country, and they really to research American teacher selfless interest in improving the you have today? Many of the senior officials at focus on grassroots, village- and training programs and I created a world. We see that wherever the embassy are returned Peace community-level work. We course for the university work- WILLIAMS: 7700. Corps volunteers. want our volunteers to be in the ing with the faculty there. Pretty see WILLIAMS on page 11 ᮣ

2    Page 3 DIALOGUE

   INSIGHTS   BRAZIL Brazil has FROM ADMINISTRATOR one of world’s DR. RAJIV SHAH highest social- economic ineq- uity rates and the country’s eco- Throughout 2008 and nomic growth 2009, USAID developed is significantly partnerships with state hindered. High governments, Motorola, IBM, unemployment and large Brazilian firms in Last year, the number of people suffering from chronic hunger rates among the energy and construction topped 1 billion for the first time. youth raises industries. The food crisis, followed by the financial crisis, clearly exacer- Photo by Instituto Empreender Photo by A pilot program was started Marcelo Déda, governor of Sergipe, poses concerns that the bated the hunger problem. But so did years of drift among donors with Enter Jovem students during a launch of resentment and in Pernambuco to house the and governments, including our own. the program in the state. frustration that program in a local public The president of the United States and the secretary of state are accompanies school. As the Pernambuco calling upon USAID to lead a second Green Revolution. unemployment might feed vio- secretary of education, school I know this agency is up to the challenge. Brazil’s lence. In a recent World Health directors, coordinators, and Through the Feed the Future Initiative, we will be investing at Youth Gain Organization study of youth teachers were exposed to least $3.5 billion over three years to reverse the trend of increasing homicide rates, Brazil ranked the curriculum and teaching food insecurity. Combined with the contributions of our partners, we Employability third highest out of 60 countries methods, they began expect to raise the incomes of 40 million people over 10 years and surveyed. Nationally, 4 percent expanding the methods reach 25 million children with nutrition interventions that will pre- Challenge of all deaths in Brazil are con- to more classes. The pilot vent stunting in 10 million kids. sidered homicides. Forty-eight program, with the added How will we accomplish this? Even USAID’s most expert work is Private businesses in percent of deaths of youth English-language component, limited in its ability to transform systems. Brazil are often unable to find between the ages of 15 and 24 began attracting the attention Country-owned plans are key to the initiative. For years there has qualified employees to hire. are considered to be homicides. of other state governments been talk about country-led planning. So what’s new here? Many young people without In the states of Pernambuco seeking to adopt Enter As an example, since 2006, Rwanda has experienced a real training or skills—many of and Rio de Janeiro, it’s 55 per- Jovem’s methods. increase in agricultural growth. They assembled all interested par- them socially and economically cent. By 2009, USAID was ties, developed a plan, and completed a thorough technical review disadvantaged—are entering discussing partnerships with in December. As of April 15th, Rwanda’s $848 million plan is sub- the labor force but lack the Innovative Response the states of Bahia, Ceará, stantially funded, with a $275 million assist from international know-how needed in a rapidly Rio de Janeiro, and Sergipe In 2004, the USAID office donors. changing workplace. They to adopt the new methods By the end of 2010 we should have 15 African investment plans, in Brazil began funding Enter live in poverty because they in their public schools representing more than 600 million Africans. These plans, which Jovem, a program to train lack the education and skills with the state governments and assist youth aged 16-29 must serve as the basis for all donor engagement, have the following required for jobs, ensuring a providing financial and other to obtain formal sector jobs elements: clear investment priorities, strong commitment from the continuance of this poverty. contributions. in the northeast. Originally highest level of leadership, transformational goals, and the involve- Although nearly all of ment of civil society and the private sector. Brazil’s children are enrolled working out of community centers in the states of Bahia Results We will increase our investments based on these plans, but we all in school, the quality of and Pernambuco, the program As of early 2010, the know it’s not just about how much we give. It’s about how we focus education for students from developed a method of teach- program has trained 7,500 our funding. poor backgrounds remains ing life and professional skills. students and 800 trainers, and Another core principle of our Feed the Future Initiative is taking a low. As a result, youth Participants were finding has raised awareness of youth comprehensive approach to across the whole value unemployment rates have and keeping formal sector employment issues among chain— from farm to table. That approach starts with a restructured steadily increased from: positions. hundreds of employers in the research agenda. 9.1 percent in 1991, to 14.7 However, after nearly northeast. To that end, we are working with other donors to support the percent in 2000, and to 21.1 four years, the program was Placement rates in 2009 CGIAR (Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research) percent in 2009. This is not having much impact on exceeded targets, and 85 in its effort to reform, which includes focusing on priority staple considerably higher than the policy and wasn’t moving percent of the young people crops and enhancing production systems. national rates of 4.8 percent, towards sustainability. In 2008, who got jobs kept them for at We are expanding our partnerships with the Agricultural Research 7.5 percent, and 9 percent, USAID focused on a new least three months. Service and the new National Institute for Food and Agriculture in respectively. strategy of working with other The new program is be- areas such as wheat stem rust and livestock disease research. In Brazil’s poor northeast organizations to increase impact coming sustainable and, even We are also asking our land grant university partners to push the region, which accounts and sustainability. though the program budget has frontiers of productivity. Our eight current Collaborative Research for nearly one-third of its Through discussions with been reduced, partnerships are Support Programs cover 115 research activities. As we increase our population, unemployment the public and private sectors, allowing USAID to expand the investment, we will focus on a smaller set of core priorities. rates for youth are as high it became clear that the public program into new states. Formal Developing effective markets is also a top priority. Too often have as 52 percent. Many young school curriculum nationwide partnerships have been created our investments resulted in a collection of projects that fail to trans- people face a lifetime of must be expanded. with the states of Bahia, Ceará, form a value chain or fail to leave behind a lasting market-oriented low-paying jobs, often in Based on the program’s Pernambuco, and Sergipe. agricultural system. So we will do things differently. the informal sector such as four years of experience, and Currently, USAID is final- First, we’re aligning with private sector priorities our investments day labor or street sales. focusing on the demands of the izing a partnership with Rio de in grain storage, feeder roads, and market information systems. These jobs do not respond labor market, USAID added Janeiro to support activities in Second, we are refocusing efforts to increase agri-business to the needs of a growing employability, technology their public schools which will investment in countries. Our tools include philanthropic or corpo- economy and do not allow the training, and English language be financed through a three- rate partnerships, use of our Development Credit Authority (DCA) individual to break the cycle of elements to meet the needs of year, $1.8 million partnership to expand access to bank lending, and grant mechanisms that unemployment and poverty. underprivileged youth. with Chevron. ૽ see INSIGHTS on page 9 ᮣ

 3 Page 4 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

BRIEFS FRONTLINES: MAYS PAST USAID to Philanthropy at Indiana heavy snowfall and cold tem- 2006, with the United States Increase African University. peratures continue. Malnutri- being the biggest donor. The donations are almost tion has also increased and Most countries in Latin 1970: The May 6 Programs equal to the $1.5 billion given deaths of children under 5 have America, Asia, and the Mid- edition of FrontLines NAIROBI, Kenya—Admin- after the Asian tsunami in 2004, jumped by 35 percent since Jan- dle East doubled their health reported on emergency istrator Rajiv Shah said on USA TODAY reported May 13. uary in the affected regions. budgets. But many in aid to Gediz, Turkey, his first trip to Africa as About half the Haiti dona- Africa—including those with following an earthquake USAID chief that he plans tions were raised by the Ameri- New British Aid the worst AIDS outbreaks— that killed more than to increase funding and staff can Red Cross, which collected Chief Halts Projects trimmed their health spend- 1,000 people, injured for programs in Africa to $444 million, and Catholic in Homeland ing instead. more than 3,000, and left help the continent reduce Relief Services, which raised In The Lancet study, for 50,000 to 90,000 home- less. The Agency airlifted poverty, disease, and illit- $136 million, according to The LONDON—The new British every dollar received from 1,000 tents to the area eracy, the Associated Press Chronicle of Philanthropy. government has cut back aid donors, poor countries trans- April 3. reported May 15. Members of a coalition of aid spending on projects inside ferred up to $1.14 originally 1980: While the Shah spoke during a six- organizations called InterAc- Great Britain to focus funds on slated for their health budgets Foreign Assistance Act day trip to Africa that tion, which include the Ameri- fighting poverty in needy coun- elsewhere. The research was tries overseas, the prohibits aid to commu- included Sudan. can Red Cross, Catholic Relief Daily Tele- paid for by the Bill & reported May 17. nist countries, noted the USAID has offices in 23 Services, World Vision, the U.S. graph Melinda Gates Foundation. Andrew Mitchell, the new May 1 FrontLines, assis- African countries. The Fund for UNICEF, and Save the “We don’t know what secretary of state for interna- tance may take place Agency funds and runs pro- Children, have planned to split countries are doing with their tional development, said spend- through the Agency’s grams to improve health, their funds almost equally own money once the donor ing should not be spent on Office of Reimbursable food security, democracy, between immediate relief and money comes in,” said Chris- “frivolous” home-grown proj- Development Programs. and entrepreneurship in long-term reconstruction in topher Murray, director of the Haiti, InterAction President ects. He cancelled five pro- The office had recently Africa. Institute for Health Metrics Sam Worthington said. grams, saving about $700,000, and Evaluation at the Univer- provided funding for Niger Seeks to “We have the largest humani- and froze all U.K.-based proj- sity of Washington and one of U.S. water and power specialists to travel to Feed 1.5 Million tarian disaster in an urban set- ects, worth $8.4 million. the paper’s authors. ting since World War II. It is tap- Cancelled projects include a Murray’s paper also found China to discuss develop- NIAMEY, Niger—Niger’s ping the limits of our capacity to grant to a Brazilian-style dance debt relief had no effect on ment of the country’s hydroelectric power. transitional government respond,” Worthington said. group in London; training for health spending. announced May 17 the outdoor education tutors and 1990: President launch of a food distribution Infections Cause nursery school teachers on Afghan Arrested in George H.W. Bush operation for nearly 1.5 mil- Two-thirds of Child development and global issues; emphasizes “the U.S. Scheme to Defraud commitment to domestic lion people facing severe Deaths Each Year and booths at summer pop USAID shortages, Agence France- music festivals. and international policies Presse reported. More than two-thirds of the All savings will be redi- KABUL—An Afghan citizen that are environmentally estimated 8.8 million deaths in “This distribution of sup- rected to countries where it is working on a project funded effective and efficient” children under 5 worldwide in plies complements other expected to have a greater by USAID was arrested by during a 2008 were caused by infectious operations which are impact on global poverty. The Afghan authorities in May conference on global diseases like pneumonia, diar- already under way and international aid budget has and charged with embezzling change, reported the May rhea, and malaria, according to involves coming to the aid been protected from cuts that nearly $193,000 while work- 1990 FrontLines. During a study on behalf of the World an event hosted by of a population estimated to are expected in most other ing as a finance coordinator Health Organization and UNI- USAID, Administrator be a little under 1.5 million spending departments. on a $229 million local gov- CEF, Reuters reported May 12. people,” said spokesman ernance program. Ronald Roskens and High-income countries Mahamadou Dan Dah. Countries Slash Ahman Samim Sediqi other Agency officials account for only around 1 percent According to the United was responsible for depositing addressed conference of the under-5 deaths. Almost Health Spending delegates about the Nations, around 7.8 million monthly tax payments from the half of such deaths occurred in After Getting Aid Agency’s commitment Nigeriens—more than half Agency’s implementing partner five countries—, Nigeria, to helping developing the population—are in need LONDON—After getting mil- to Afghanistan’s Ministry Democratic Republic of Congo, countries find solutions of food, out of the approxi- lions of dollars to fight AIDS, of Finance into a local bank Pakistan, and China. to environmental mately 10 million affected by some African countries account. When the ministry damage. the crisis in the Sahel region. responded by slashing their reported that it had not received Long Winter Leaves 2000: FrontLines The search for food has health budgets, new research the payments, an investigation Mongolians in Need dedicates its April/May sent thousands flocking into says, according to the AP. was initiated. Local law issue to covering the Maradi, the main city in GENEVA—The Although the international enforcement officials, aided HIV/AIDS epidemic, south-central Niger. says nearly 800,000 people in community spent billions in by investigators from USAID’s the leading cause of Mongolia need humanitarian health aid to supplement health Office of the Inspector General, death in Africa. Topics American aid to recover from a long and budgets in poor countries over discovered that the bank deposit include preventing trans- heavy winter, the AP reported many years, development money slips Sediqi had submitted to Donations to mission of the disease May 12. prompted some governments to the partner as proof of payment from mother to child, Haiti Reach $1.3B At least 7.5 million ani- spend on entirely different were not legitimate. prevention efforts, anti- Four months after the mals—over 17 percent of Mon- things which cannot be tracked, Sediqi remains in jail in retroviral treatment, Haiti earthquake, Ameri- golia’s total livestock—died this The Lancet reported April 16. Kabul awaiting trial. and the additional threat cans have donated $1.3 bil- winter so far. International health aid of tuberculosis on the lion for disaster relief there, The U.N. said Wednesday jumped from about $8 billion in From news reports and other continent. ૽ according to the Center on that animals are still dying as 1995 to almost $19 billion in sources. ૽

4    Page 5 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

U.S.-Swedish Development After 25 Million Deaths, Search Agencies Agree to Back Loans Continues for HIV Vaccine By Jane Stanley and Nancy Leahy In the three decades since the USAID’s credit guarantee base of experience and HIV/AIDS epidemic began, program, the Development innovation”—allowing USAID nearly 60 million people world- For the Record… Credit Authority (DCA), and Sida to accomplish more wide have been infected with recently celebrated its 10th than they could acting alone. HIV and more than 25 million You cannot get infected with HIV anniversary with a new part- Since 1999, DCA has pro- have died of HIV-related causes. nership between the United vided over $1.9 billion of pri- Every day, at least 7,400 people if you participate in an HIV vaccine States and Sweden to support vate financing through 234 guar- become newly HIV-infected. private sector financing in antees in nearly 70 countries, Despite progress in providing study. The vaccines used in clinical developing countries. including small business owners treatment to people who need it, Administrator Rajiv Shah such as Emannuel Harelimana studies do not contain live versions of these efforts cannot keep up with and Director General of the in Rwanda. Because he received the number of new HIV infec- Swedish International Devel- a bank loan with the help of a the virus. tions. For every two individuals opment Cooperation Agency USAID partial credit guarantee, with HIV who begin taking anti- (Sida) Anders Nordström Harelimana was able to buy bet- retroviral therapy to manage the our worst diseases, including unable to clear the infection signed an agreement March 26 ter machinery for his coffee virus, five additional people polio and smallpox. But what naturally. that includes joint credit guar- company, CAFERWA, which become newly infected. This is people seem to forget all too Although extremely rare, antees to partially compensate has become Rwanda’s third why USAID continues to sup- easily is that it often took 50 some long-term HIV-infected a bank’s loss during a loan largest coffee exporter. port the quest for a safe vaccine years or more to discover and individuals do develop antibod- default. By insuring against DCA guarantees have also that could effectively prevent develop those vaccines,” said ies that effectively neutralize the loss, the guarantees encourage promoted lending in new sec- HIV infection—a search that is Margaret McCluskey, senior virus, however, the vaccines that banks and other financial insti- tors. In Bulgaria, a credit guar- commemorated on May 18, HIV technical advisor for HIV vac- have been tested to date have not tutions to provide financing to antee resulted in $8.1 million Vaccine Awareness Day. cine research in the Office of been able to generate these creditworthy, yet underserved, in commercial financing for 30 Since 2001, USAID has con- HIV/AIDS, part of USAID’s blocking antibodies in people. borrowers. projects that reduced carbon tributed $134 million to try to Bureau for Global Health. And since HIV does not cause USAID and Sida plan to dioxide emissions. As a result, discover an HIV vaccine through “From each clinical trial, we disease in animals the way it issue their first joint guarantee local banks recognized the via- a major partnership with the learn valuable lessons that serve does in people, a vaccine that in Bosnia. bility of clean energy as a prof- International AIDS Vaccine Ini- to better design the next clinical shows promise in animal testing “This partnership with Sida itable investment and now lend tiative. In addition, several uni- trial until ultimately we find a may not be effective in humans. is very important,” Shah said. to the sector without USAID versities, biotechnology and vaccine that works.” That is why human clinical stud- “The president and this admin- support. pharmaceutical companies, and Complicating the search for a ies are needed. istration are firmly committed DCA guarantees have also other U.S. government agencies vaccine has been HIV’s tricky A major HIV vaccine study in to the concept of individual helped schools to buy books, are working to find a vaccine. biological properties. Unlike Thailand last fall resulted in only entrepreneurship and the real communities to rebuild after The first study to test an exper- other viruses, HIV has the ability modest gains in the vaccine spread of private enterprise conflict and natural disasters, imental HIV vaccine in humans to hide in an infected person’s search. Still, recent identification around the world.” municipalities to deliver clean was conducted in 1987, and some cells while also rapidly mutat- of rare but powerful naturally Shah added that donor water and other services, question why a safe and effective ing, escaping, and evolving. And occurring antibodies capable of collaboration through joint health clinics to access new vaccine is not yet available. because the virus ravages critical blocking HIV are encouraging guarantees “brings together technologies, and farmers to “Vaccines have always been immune system cells designed to renewed optimism in the pursuit partners that have a shared improve their crops. ૽ our best weapon against some of fight infection, most people are of an effective HIV vaccine. ૽ U.S. EXPANDS ANTI-MALARIA EFFORT IN AFRICA Arona Guèye, the chief nurse children under 5, compared with control and elimination efforts The program aims to cut by at the Kaymor Health Post in 2005. During the same period, In 2009, PMI reached will undoubtedly result in a 50 percent the malaria-related Senegal, makes a bold prediction. household ownership of one or resurgence of malaria and a sub- deaths in 15 target African coun- “Malaria is backing down, more insecticide-treated mos- over 50 million people. sequent loss of all of the gains tries by reaching 85 percent of and if this trend continues, the quito nets rose from 36 percent we are making,” said Ziemer. the most vulnerable groups— next generation of nurses will to 60 percent. On World Malaria Day, The strategy also outlines children under age 5 and preg- not be able to recognize a clini- Similar declines in child April 22, USAID Administrator efforts to stop the spread of multi- nant women—with prevention cal severe malaria case because deaths have been achieved in Rajiv Shah and Rear Adm. Tim drug resistance in Southeast Asia and treatment. In 2009, PMI malaria is no longer our problem Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanza- Ziemer, coordinator of U.S. and the Americas; and links reached over 50 million people. here,” he said. nia, and . Global Malaria Programs, malaria prevention and treatment “The U.S. government’s Guèye used to treat so many Sub-Saharan Africa is the released the U.S. government’s with maternal and child health, commitment to fight malaria is severe malaria cases that his epicenter of the world’s malaria latest six-year strategy to combat HIV/AIDS, neglected tropical a key component of our nation’s health post was full, forcing control activities, with about malaria globally. The goal diseases, and tuberculosis pro- foreign assistance strategy and him to treat some patients in his 85 percent of the world’s is to cut in half the number of grams. The strategy also stresses President Obama’s Global own house. In the most recent malaria cases and 90 percent cases and deaths by 2015 in international collaboration and Health Initiative—a global rainy season, however, he con- of malaria deaths. But since 70 percent of the 450 million strengthening of health systems. commitment to invest in healthy firmed only 17 cases of malaria, 2006, substantial progress has people who live in malaria-prone It follows the President’s and productive lives and maxi- none severe. been made in delivering malaria regions of sub-Saharan Africa. Malaria Initiative (PMI), which is mize the sustainable health In Senegal, a 2008 national prevention tools and providing “We must [take] a long-term led by USAID and carried out impact the United States household survey recorded a 30 treatment to those with con- view because backing off on with the U.S. Centers for Disease achieves for every dollar percent reduction in deaths in firmed malaria. funding to support ongoing Control. invested,” Shah said. ૽

 5 page 6 THE REGIONS

LATIN AMERICA Jamaica Fights Gangs and Violence Island-wide By Eric Beinhart To bring down its murder (JCF) and by supporting policy rate—one of the highest in the change, rather than investing in world—Jamaica will need to an individual city or community. improve its police force and The program focuses on address many complex social training the JCF and the Social and economic root causes of Development Commission to violence. deliver services while strength- Projects to reduce crime and ening the relationship between violence and strengthen economic the police and community. The competitiveness have been estab- police become part of the com- lished in Jamaica’s inner cities. munity rather than just law One of them is the Community enforcement figures. The ulti- Empowerment and Transforma- mate goal—crime reduction and tion (COMET) Project, set up by improved quality of life. USAID in 2006 in Kingston. Guns and gangs still under- COMET aims for an island- mine governance in Jamaica’s

wide impact by working with the CARAPhoto by Ltd. Jamaica Constabulary Force see JAMAICA on page 11 ᮣ A Jamaican policeman participates in a school activity organized by the USAID COMET Project. EUROPE & EURASIA ASIA Pakistani Traders Recover from Bomb Fire By Zack Taylor KARACHI, Pakistan— Mohammed Farooq Khalid was at home relaxing one Monday afternoon last December. It was the 10th day of Muharram, and like hundreds of others, his small general merchandise shop in Karachi’s Bolton Market was D AI S

closed for the religious holiday. U

A phone call alerted Farooq aylor, T ack

that a suicide bomb had ripped Z y b

through a crowded procession, o IREX Photo by Zack Taylor, USAID Taylor, Zack Photo by Phot by killing 40 people. The proces- Mohammed Farooq Khalid Photo by IREX Photo by sion had quickly turned into a Gunel Gurbanova (left), an IATP program assistant, shows Lyudmila Khalilova how to participate in riot of looting and arson. The an online discussion in Baku, Azerbaijan. market was in flames, with fire spreading fast. “My son called and told me the fire is headed for my shop,” Farooq said later. “He said he wanted to go get the cash from Web Training Connects Thousands behind the counter, but I told him, ‘No, your life is more impor- tant than money.’” Firefighters who rushed to the scene were attacked by the mob, of Displaced Eurasians and the market was gutted. There was little hope for Farooq as he When hostilities broke out than 250 communities in 11 Eur- isolation and providing hope for soon realized that his sole source of income would quickly be between the Georgian and Rus- asian countries during a 15-year recovery. Online discussions link- engulfed in the blaze. Most of the destroyed businesses were either sian armies in August 2008, an run. IATP ended in December. ing government officials, NGO not insured or had very little insurance coverage. estimated 10,000 families lost Internet centers in Georgia leaders, refugees, and IDPs The disastrous effects of the fire and riots were far-reaching, and their houses as well as their live- quickly responded to the inter- allowed experts to share informa- were soon seen in the shortage of goods and forced price increases lihoods. They also lost contact nally displaced person (IDP) tion and NGOs to reach out to throughout an already fragile economy. with their larger communities. community, providing training, beneficiaries while collecting Two months later, however, Farooq and about 2,000 other mar- To reconnect, many turned to online events, and a new center reports on conditions in shelters. ket traders learned that the federal and provincial governments in the USAID-funded Internet in Gori where many of the IDPs “After considering many meth- Pakistan agreed to rebuild the market. The news spread quickly Access and Training Program were clustered. ods, simple technology turned out that the market would be reconstructed within four months. (IATP). The program introduced The network of free Internet to be the most effective means for Bolton Market is Pakistan’s largest wholesale market, providing the Internet not only to displaced access points became a central ᮣ people in Georgia, but to more factor in reducing the IDPs’ see EURASIANS on page 10 ᮣ see PAKISTAN on page 11

6    Page 7 THE REGIONS

MIDDLE EAST AFRICA Job Training Transforms Unemployed Moroccan Women

Shy. Unsure. Dissatisfied. developed internships and train- Success” training program. That used to describe Hanane ing for young women to address Technical training was also Sami. Today, she is a confident, the gaps. Ultimately, many of offered in office administration, gracious woman who has found the businesses involved in the sales, and other business skills. her niche as the project coordi- training offered jobs to the After completing the training, nator at an organization that young women in the program. Sami was offered a position as a fights social, occupational, and Reprofilage targets young, project coordinator for a sister educational exclusion. disadvantaged, undergraduate program called l’Heure Joyeuse Born and raised in Casa- women who have been unem- (Joyous Hour), which trains blanca, Sami was the youngest of ployed for over two years. young women for employment eight children. Despite financial The six-month training course in the apparel sector. Both of difficulties, she completed post- includes four months of highly these programs were part of the secondary studies. “My parents interactive sessions in the class- USAID-funded MEEA, which were always supportive of my room, and a minimum of two supported seven vocational studies—I was smart,” she said. months’ hands-on training at an training projects in Casablanca Unfortunately, like thousands enterprise. in partnership with local associa- of other young college graduates Since 2006, the program has tions and businesses. The seven in Morocco, Sami could not find trained 84 young women and programs trained 600 unem- a decent job. “I did not interview placed 81 of them in permanent ployed Moroccan youth from well at all. I could barely look jobs. The program has been rep- 2005 to 2008. USAID funding AID US ird, people in the eye, much less licated in Marrakesh, and contin- ended in 2008 but the seven pro- B

speak to them for more than a ues to train young women with grams remain active. lison A y few minutes,” she said. funding from other donors. As a project coordinator, b hoto So what changed? Sami’s Sami admits that initially she Sami said she is giving back to USAID Alison Bird, Photo by P response: “Reprofilage, of was hesitant to participate in the program that gave her “a Rosalina Andaca Sambuano receives scholarship materials from course!” Reprofilage. “I thought since sense of self.” Sami reports that ’s Vice-Minister of Education Ana Paula Ndala Fernando. Reprofilage, which literally I had my baccalaureate diploma, she is training a new generation means re-profiling in French, is why do I need more training?” of girls, not only in sewing funded by USAID under the she said. Nevertheless, she but, more importantly, in self- Scholarships Support Morocco Education and joined the program, and learned respect and composure—skills Employment Alliance Program a range of communication that will be valuable in any field. Girls’ Education in Angola (MEEA). It provides young skills, self-confidence, and basic When asked what she sees for women with training and skills business smarts, based on the her future, Sami said: “I want to , Angola—To help Vice-Minister of Education Ana through a curriculum developed McGraw-Hill “Work Place keep challenging myself. ૽ Angolan children raised in the Paula Ndala Fernando and Vice- and carried out aftermath of a devastating con- Minister of Assistance and Social by the Associa- flict, USAID programs are pro- Reinsertion Maria da Luz Sá tion of Moroc- viding families with school fees, Magalhães also took part in the can Business uniforms, books, school supplies, distribution. Women and food to enable children to While many countries in (known by the enroll and remain in school. Southern and Eastern Africa French acro- In addition, mentoring pro- have made progress towards par- nym AFEM), grams have aided children ity between boys and girls in the Interna- scarred by war and dislocation, education, according to the tional Youth including helping them to avoid United Nations, Angola is still Foundation, risky behaviors such as early lagging in overall enrollment and the Educa- sexual activity—more than half and has a significant gender gap. tion for of Angolan girls aged 15 to 19 The armed conflict in Angola, Employment have at least one child. Mentor- which lasted for more than 40 Foundation. ing has also enabled children far years before ending in 2002, Business behind in school to catch up to took a toll on the educational owners in Cas- their peers. system, destroying schools and ablanca who At a school outside Luanda on leaving many orphaned children were members International Women’s Day without the means to pay school of AFEM iden- March 8, U.S. Ambassador to fees or purchase school supplies. tified an array Angola Dan Mozena and Broken families, living in tent of interper- USAID’s director in Angola, camps and slums that housed the sonal and tech- Randall Peterson, distributed growing displaced population, nical skills that school supplies and other materi- relied more and more on girls to were lacking in AID als to students receiving scholar- stay at home to perform domes- US y today’s young b ships through the USAID-funded tic chores and take care of oto employees. USAID Photo by Ph Africa Education Initiative- younger siblings. The Repro- Hanane Sami displays the work of her trainees. The clothing will be donated to Ambassadors Girls’ Scholarship mothers in need. filage program Program (AEI-AGSP). Angola’s see ANGOLA on page 9 ᮣ

 7 page 8 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

MEN KEY TO REDUCING MATERNAL DEATHS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

Reducing maternal deaths by 75 percent “In many of the countries need to involve men in our pro- deal with the unexpected com- where we work, these are male grams since they are the deci- plications that can arise during throughout the world by 2015 will take the dominated cultures,” said Lily sion makers about health care pregnancy using drawings of the involvement of men in countries where it Kak, senior maternal and neo- in the family.” These decisions human body, a practice that natal health advisor in USAID’s include determining family size, Agarwal says allows for open matters most, health experts say. Bureau for Global Health. “We timing of pregnancies, and talk about these issues. whether women have access to “For husbands to support, health care. they must be well-informed and To improve maternal health sensitized,” said MCHIP team outcomes for women in develop- leader Steve Hodgins. ing countries—one of the targets Bangladeshi men have set of the United Nation’s Millen- aside funds for transportation to nium Development Goals—men hospitals in case of emergencies must be equal partners. “Men during pregnancy. “It would need to see the advantages for have been more difficult without themselves,” Kak said. male involvement to have these The USAID-funded Maternal systems in place,” said Joseph and Child Health Integrated Pro- de Graft-Johnson, MCHIP’s gram (MCHIP), now in its sec- newborn and community health ond year, seeks to reduce mater- team leader. nal deaths while encouraging Engaging men means reach- men to take an active role in ing out to community elders, their partners’ pregnancies. leaders, and religious groups, “We have definitely seen bet- Agarwal said. But there’s ter outcomes when we engage always a fear that these initia- men in our programs,” said Koki tives could be rejected, mainly Agarwal, director of MCHIP. The because of traditional cultural program, which currently oper- values and perceptions that ates in 27 countries, integrates maternal health is the responsi- men into maternal health pro- bility of women only. grams at the community level. In April, the medical journal In Afghanistan, a largely male The Lancet reported that, since dominated society with a dis- 1980, annual maternal deaths mally high maternal death rate, have significantly dropped world- USAID-supported projects have wide. The study cites lower preg- been training community mid- nancy rates in some countries, wives in an 18-month resident higher income, and more educa- training program with the help tion for women as some of the of the shura, the local council of reasons for the sharp decline. And male village elders who have though maternal health outcomes consented to let the women are improving globally, the need attend training and then assist in for the involvement of men dur- births when they return to the ing pregnancy and childbirth community. persists. “These women have become Several barriers exist across change agents themselves,” the developing world that pre- Agarwal said. vent the full participation of In some areas of Nigeria— males during pregnancy. In where a woman can’t leave the many labor wards, men aren’t home without her husband’s per- present during birth because of mission—MCHIP sends in male lack of privacy for the several motivators, community volun- women who use the wards. And teers trained in communications, often, there are challenges in to help local men achieve their reaching the men, Agarwal said. vision for a healthy family. When pregnancy counseling In Kenya, Tanzania, and happens during the day, men Malawi, women enrolled in often are away at work. MCHIP programs that teach them The solution? “Get them to prevent HIV transmission to where they are,” Agarwal said. their child are encouraged to “Go to mosques and engage bring their male partners to clin- them,” she said. Or to job sites

Photo by Save the Children Save Photo by ics for follow-up treatments. such as the mines in South In male dominated cultures, USAID programs are helping to decrease maternal deaths by And in the conservative Africa. “Opportunities to encouraging men to become involved in pregnancy and childbirth matters. Pictured: a man and child eastern region of , engage men at different times is in Pakistan. MCHIP trains male groups to critical.” ૽ — B.J.

8    page 9 GLOBAL DEVELOPMENTS

ANGOLA from page 7 Adviser Brings Experience from Iraq to Afghanistan AEI-AGSP in Angola By Jan Cartwright addresses these problems by working through four local part- Life and work in a Provincial practices, and the use of force. systems developed to being sus- “the tribal mentality is similar ners to assist orphans and vul- Reconstruction Team (PRT) is “I saw firsthand how people tainable,” Hedlund said. in the outlying areas, so under- nerable children—primarily nothing new for Scott Hedlund. can make a difference in the per- A further asset in his PRT standing the basic concepts of girls, but including roughly 14 He started serving last ceptions of problems and the work is his U.S. Army experi- power is essential in order to percent boys. November as a development solutions to them,” Hedlund ence—he joined the service accomplish your mission and In many ways, Kátia Fran- advisor with the Combined said. “Based on this experience, while still in high school. “It’s not be culturally inappropriate cisco de Alberto’s story is typical Joint Special Operations Task I understood the value of inter- been extremely important. I and lose the key leaders who of many Angolan children Force-Afghanistan as part of personal relationships in a differ- understand the military language will help you achieve the vil- impacted by the war. Kátia never the new wave of civilians who ent cultural setting.” and thinking processes, as well lage goals for assistance.” knew her father, and when her are serving in the country to Two years later, at age 40, he as the rank system,” he said. So what does it take to be mother died, she was brought support development efforts. was headed to Iraq. He hasn’t In Afghanistan, Hedlund’s successful in a PRT? from the provinces to the capital He plans to stay for three years. looked back since. most gratifying moments have “I think the most functional at age 10 by a family friend who But before deploying to In Baghdad, Hedlund drew occurred when the civilian and people I have dealt with have would not let her go to school Afghanistan, Hedlund worked on his juvenile justice back- military aid efforts have come great interpersonal skills and a and who eventually abandoned in Iraq for five years, including ground, working as an interna- together effectively. He recalls an high tolerance for change. her at age 12. in the Baghdad and Salah-ad- tional police trainer on juvenile instance in Jalalabad when an Being flexible is important and Kátia spent four months on Din PRTs. justice issues for the country. outlying village urgently needed understanding your role in the the streets crying and foraging “I’ve definitely enjoyed Later, in Salah-ad-Din, north of help, and USAID, the State process of dealing with others. for food. Eventually, neighbors being overseas,” said Hedlund, Baghdad, Hedlund shared his Department, a regular Army unit, You have to be willing to nego- took her to the Centro Horizonte who spent his early career management and administrative and a Special Forces unit worked tiate but hold firm on what your Azul (CHA), a boarding school working as a juvenile court skills, serving as the State together to deliver the aid. job role is since you’re a key outside of Luanda for orphans. administrator and teaching Department’s chief of gover- “That was a perfect example part of the process and you Although she was initially a courses on the U.S. West Coast nance and infrastructure in the of total cooperation between were hired for your knowledge reluctant student, Kátia was cho- at Pierce Community College, PRT. There, he helped the prov- agencies and personnel working and input,” Hedlund said. sen as an AGSP scholar. She Saint Martin’s College, and the ince establish business processes towards a higher goal, with no Hedlund looks forward to completed four grades in two Washington State Criminal all the way down to the grass- thought of trying to control the bringing more of his experi- years of intensive schoolwork Justice Training Academy. roots level to develop a robust process,” Hedlund said. ence from Iraq to Afghanistan. and is currently in eighth grade. Hedlund’s first opportunity capital accountability system Compared with Iraq, Hedlund “People who worked in the Kátia has also blossomed to work overseas came in 2002, and to prevent corruption and believes Afghanistan’s challenges tribal structure of Iraq have socially at the center, forming when he was asked to lead a misuse of funds. are much more severe, including knowledge of what works, and friendships with girls who experi- delegation to Sakhalin, Russia, “I was lucky enough to be in a largely uneducated population they know what they need to enced similar difficulties in their to examine community needs, Iraq for five years and see the and institutions that are in their do in order to accomplish the lives. She is in daily contact with juvenile justice issues, police changes occur over time as their infancy. However, he notes that mission,” he said. ૽ teachers who have mentored her and has a strong role model in Maria Esperança Pires dos San- tos, a civil servant who founded INSIGHTS from page 3 CHA and takes an individual provide small- to medium-sized income, they are more likely to already been pledged to this focus on measuring women’s interest in the girls under her firms with equity finance. The spend those gains on family fund from foundations and incomes, child malnutrition, care. Kátia, who wants to become DCA alone has unlocked more needs. countries, including new devel- and agricultural production. a biologist, said, “by benefiting than $2 billion in private sector For years we’ve talked about opment partners such as South I’ve turned to Ambassador from a scholarship, I became a lending that could be used more the importance of women, but Korea. Its steering committee Bill Garvelink to oversee the literate person with hope in life. I aggressively in agriculture, so now we are focusing on women will be composed of equal num- execution of the Food Security can now dream of a better life.” we are recruiting local banks in everything we do. bers of donor and recipient Initiative within USAID as our The Women’s Day event was and local agricultural busi- We start by focusing on countries. And they recently deputy coordinator for develop- held at CHA, where a newly nesses to participate. those crops—sweet potato and committed to making all of ment. He is restructuring our constructed bakery provides Third, we are encouraging legumes—that women are their executive sessions open more than 130 agricultural vocational education and helps partnerships with larger scale most likely to adopt. And we and transparent. experts around the world and to sustain the center. buyers of food to create durable are working to ensure that To ensure that all of the across agencies into a single Addressing the crowd in Por- market demand. Examples women get equal access to investments I’ve outlined are as food security program. tuguese, Mozena highlighted the range from Wal-Mart’s efforts support—such as financial and high-impact as possible, we are He’ll be working with importance of girls’ education in to help Central American farm- extension services. To make working closely with key agen- Ambassador Pat Haslach, who the construction of a “new ers improve post-harvest han- this happen, we are expanding cies within the U.S. government will serve as the deputy coordi- Angola,” composed not just of dling to the West African sus- investments in women’s pro- and we are reforming the way nator for diplomacy at the State newly built schools and hospi- tainable tree crops program that ducer networks and fellowships we work. Department. tals, but also of increased invest- links cocoa buyers to small for women who pursue degrees We’re developing our own So how can you help? ment in “human infrastructure” farmers. in agriculture. multi-year investment strategies We need the best efforts of consisting of a new generation But the people who matter But we also are including so we can be better partners for everyone in this agency to ani- of doctors, engineers, and teach- most aren’t the financiers, the ag nutrition interventions that target the long term. And we are coor- mate the Feed the Future Initia- ers to lead the nation’s develop- ministers, or the aid workers. It’s women and children with school dinating with other donors tive. I know the staff of this ment efforts. female farmers who are the feeding and micronutrient sup- through both intensive diplo- agency is as acutely aware as I Through the four AEI-AGSP undertapped solution to this plementation. Multilateral orga- macy and operational partner- am that, each day, lack of food partners, USAID will provide problem. nizations are an important part ships in country. leads to the death of about more than 2,400 scholarships this Women produce from 60 to of this effort. And while in the past we’ve 25,000 people. year in Angola. Altogether, about 80 percent of the food in the Take the multi-donor trust done retrospective program We need to hold each other’s 40 countries participate in the pro- countries where we work. And fund erected by the World evaluation, going forward we feet to the fire, because we don’t gram and 520,000 scholarships when women control gains in Bank. In total, $880 million has will collect baseline data with a have a day to waste. ૽ have already been awarded. ૽

 9 page 10 CONTINUED. . .

TOWN HALL from page 1 EURASIANS from page 6 laureate Norman Borlaug, who reliance on large contractors and Team had seats near the stage, as communicating with our constitu- to the Internet and development occasionally bypassed regula- set up “cleaner” reporting did some of USAID’s longest ents,” said a political party repre- of content—important factors in tions in the name of progress. systems. serving employees. sentative. “After we developed advancing democracy reform. “My conclusion is we need to In August, the Agency expects Obama, who along with vice the website with IATP assistance, They said the centers provided a change the rules a little bit,” to unveil human resources, or presidential spouse Jill Biden numerous citizens have con- sense of community, a place Shah said. He noted that the personnel, reforms and in the fall made an unannounced stop in tacted us to share or receive where they were among friends. Agency has received strong it plans to launch a new monitor- Haiti in April, said “it was truly information.” In Azerbaijan’s rural communi- backing from President Barack ing, evaluation, and transparency an inspiring visit. Wherever I The Internet access program, ties, for example, the Internet cen- Obama, Defense Secretary Rob- effort. Shah also said the Agency went, I was amazed and incred- which is administered by the ters were often the only safe public ert Gates, and Secretary of State needs to hold “stakeholder strat- ibly touched to hear the stories International Research and space women were allowed to Hillary Rodham Clinton. egy sessions” to help it work bet- of your sacrifice and your com- Exchanges Board, was started by come together to discuss new ideas. But Shah recalled that Sen. ter with interagency partners, passion and your amazing part- the State Department in 1994 to Lala Agaeva, a high school Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.) had Congress, private companies, nership with the Haitian people link returned exchange students; student from Imishli, Azerbaijan, recently said at a budget hearing and others. and folks around the world in the USAID assumed management in said: “For those women who can’t that the Agency quickly needed The proposals aim to deliver aftermath of that disaster. 2007. go to other public places, this to reform the way it carries out results faster, cheaper, and better “It was clear from my visit The program showed that in IATP center is a place where they that mission or risk irrelevance— than in the past, Shah said. He that people valued the work and deprived areas, practical resource can come and learn. It provides and a shrinking budget. also encouraged staff to see saw this country in a different and training centers can encour- safety unlike other Internet clubs “I am convinced that right themselves as “development way because of the work that age social, economic, and politi- in Imishli where the majority of now is the time to do this,” entrepreneurs” so that they cre- you were doing.” cal development. visitors are men.” Shah said, calling the tough ate ideas and carry out projects Shah said the dedication, risk- The centers are not just free At the conclusion of the pro- talk from Leahy a tremendous that break new ground in devel- taking, and problem-solving that Internet cafés. Users say the cen- gram, the network had 83 indepen- opportunity to elevate develop- opment and leave behind sus- happened on the ground and in ters provide high-quality training dently administered Internet centers ment. “I do expect us to take tainable results. Washington by USAID staff in matched to their personal and in Eurasian countries. During the risks … because now is our The Town Hall gave Shah and the early days after the quake is professional needs. past two years, more than 85,000 time to do it.” Obama a chance to thank people the response he wants to repli- Community residents said the people used the centers, and about Shah said procurement who responded to the Haiti earth- cate in other areas of the Agen- centers contributed to greater 44,000 people participated in train- reforms set for June will reduce quake. Members of the Haiti Task cy’s work. ૽ transparency by fostering access ing sessions. ૽

SUMMIT from page 1 Valley, will provide $2 billion and improving economic pros- years ago when he and a business spirit? And while microfinance is in private capital for telecom- perity will unify the Muslim and partner started the first private applauded, just how do these busi- munications, health care, edu- non-Muslim worlds. equity firm in Indonesia focusing nessmen and women grow their cation, and infrastructure in Entrepreneurs are, said Secre- on natural resources. Now the livelihoods to compete on a global Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Tur- tary of Commerce Gary Locke, George Washington University playing field? key, and Malaysia; “the heart of all thriving graduate has landed the number USAID Administrator Rajiv partners for a New Begin- economies.” 29 spot on Forbes Asia magazine’s Shah, who led a session on access ning, a State Department The two-day summit featured list of the 40 richest Indonesians. to capital, said the Agency has Photo by Saul Loeb, AFP Saul Loeb, Photo by effort including former Secre- talks by Obama officials and suc- President Barack Obama tary of State Madeleine cessful Muslim entrepreneurs. “An is anyone with the speaks at the Presidential entrepreneur Summit on Entrepreneurship Albright and the CEO of Other events were conducted by at the Ronald Reagan Building Coco-Cola, will encourage NGOs and other organizations. imagination to conceive of a new prod- April 26. the U.S. private sector to Multimillionaire Sandiaga uct, process, or service, and the ability become more involved with Uno, the cofounder and manag- States and Muslim-majority Muslim communities; ing director of Saratoga Capi- and persistence to turn that idea into countries has grown,” he said. an E-Mentors Corps will link tal—an Indonesia-based invest- “But all this trade, combined, is business people with would- ment company—shared his story something real.” still only about the same as our be entrepreneurs online for of struggle to become one of — Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, trade with one country—Mex- advice and support. Indonesia’s richest people. at the close of the two-day Presidential Summit on ico. So there’s so much more we USAID also announced “In business, the only certain Entrepreneurship can do together, in partnership, 13 programs the Agency will thing is failure. Especially when to foster opportunity and pros- implement. you operate in a place like Indo- “In the U.S., we learn the learned that the financial tools that perity in all our countries.” Secretary of State Hillary nesia,” Uno said. He was laid off American dream,” Uno said. work best in the United States are In addition to the Global Rodham Clinton said the initia- during the financial crisis in Asia “The dream will carry you.” not always effective in Muslim Entrepreneurship Program, offi- tives were a “first wave” of pro- in the late ’90s. With a mountain Several of the most success- countries. cials unveiled several new initia- grams that “reflect the Obama of credit card debt and no steady ful entrepreneurs at the event “One of the top concerns that tives to deepen ties between the administration’s commitment to a income, Uno decided to go into said they didn’t know they were entrepreneurs have articulated United States and Muslim coun- new approach to development.” business for himself. entrepreneurs until the money everywhere, and perhaps more so tries, including: “We believe that this approach “I gave up almost five times started rolling in. In some cul- in the last few years because of an exchange program for is more likely to yield lasting during the first five months,” he tures, there is no word for it. what’s been happening in our finan- business and social entrepre- results in the form of greater said. Uno’s wife even sold the What exactly makes an entre- cial markets, is access to capital,” neurs that will provide intern- security, dignity, prosperity, and jewelry she inherited from her preneur in the Muslim world said Shah, who noted USAID’s ships and chances for profes- opportunity for more people parents to help get him started. depends on who is doing the talk- support of both microfinance and sional development; worldwide,” Clinton added. Uno said the early failures ing. Should they focus on enrich- the more substantial Development the Global Technology and With contentious issues such were a stark reality that only ing themselves or raising the for- Credit Authority loans. Innovation Fund and the Inno- as Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan served to motivate him. “Fail- tunes of their countrymen? Do Obama said the Washington vators Fund, originally con- dividing Muslims and Americans, ures prepare you for the worst cultural influences really make a summit for Muslim entrepreneurs ceived of in the Cairo speech Obama administration officials things,” he said. difference or is it government reg- would be followed by a second and both based in Silicon hope that bolstering businesses The turning point came 12 ulations that crush entrepreneurial gathering next year in Turkey. ૽

10    page 11 CONTINUED. . .

WILLIAMS from page 2 PAKISTAN from page 6 we go, volunteers who are doing experience in the Peace Corps, standpoint, as you can imagine, domestic and imported goods to retailers across the country. Apart just absolutely marvelous things it changed my life forever, put to be asked by the president to from shops, these markets had an estimated 35 shared wholesale at the grassroots level, working me on the path to something I’d serve as the new director of the warehouses that were the major suppliers of items such as plastic shoulder to shoulder with people never even envisioned before Peace Corps, for me as a utensils, surgical equipment, medicine, clothing, shoes, paper, in the developing world to make growing up in Chicago, and so returned Peace Corps volunteer, building hardware, and leather. a difference in their lives. it happens every day to thou- to come back to an organization U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Anne Patterson pledged assis- And, of course, what you sands of Americans around the that has done so much for me in tance of 1 billion Pakistani rupees, worth U.S. $10 million. The receive as a Peace Corps volun- world. my life is pretty extraordinary, money would be used to replace lost revenue and help small busi- teer is enormous. I mean, as I And I guess the last thing I and it’s a privilege to serve at the nesses re-stock their shops in a rebuilt market. did in my own personal would say is that from my Peace Corps. ૽ “I’m pleased to see Pakistan’s business leaders rolling up their sleeves and pitching in to support the Karachi business community,” HUNGER from page 1 Patterson said. “The United States will help them recover as well.” To fulfill the ambassador’s initiative, USAID, the American can work within global markets, not have money to buy food; or that sum, some $1.2 billion is Business Council, and Khushhali Bank distributed funds to mer- Sheeran said. land to grow food; or water to allotted to USAID and the State chants affected by the fire and looting. The first 20 shop owners The WFP head says applying irrigate; or roads to transport Department. For now, the WFP received their checks in a mid-February ceremony in Karachi. food technology, such as drought fertilizer to farms and harvests to is trying above all to reach 18 “We have customers all over the country,” said electronics resistant crops, is the way to markets. million people in the Horn of dealer Khalil Ahmad, who estimated that 10 million to 15 million address food shortages. More than a billion undernour- Africa who are at risk of malnu- people were in some way affected by the fire. But lack of food isn’t always ished people live mostly in rural trition or worse. “This assistance is most unexpected…. Now I can purchase the sole cause of hunger. Some- regions of the developing world. “Calories are not enough,” more radios to send to the provinces. Radios are very important in times the problem lies in a lack President Barack Obama’s Sheeran said. “[Food aid] is not Pakistan. It’s the way most people get their news.” of access to food—an issue that 2011 budget calls for $1.8 bil- just a humanitarian act, but a The program also encouraged market traders to register as tax- is linked to several other devel- lion to fund a new global hunger wise investment in a stable payers. Vendors holding a national tax number prior to the fire opment challenges. People may and food security initiative. Of world.” ૽ — B.J. received a 50 percent bonus in compensation, and those who were not registered before the fire but applied for registration after- wards received 20 percent more than those who did not have tax   numbers. “We have learned many lessons from this event,” Farooq said.  U.S. Agency for International Development, “If you pay taxes, the government can help you when you need it.       And we are grateful to America.” ૽ "I realize that there are among us those who are weary of sustaining this continual effort to help other nations. But I would ask them to look at a map and recognize that many of those whom we help live on the 'front lines' of the long twilight struggle for freedom—that others are new nations posed JAMAICA from page 6 between order and chaos—and the rest are older nations now undergoing a turbulent transition of new expectations. Our efforts to help them help themselves, to demonstrate and to strengthen the vitality of inner city communities, eroding security to several inner city free institutions, are small in cost compared to our military outlays for the defense of freedom." the rule of law and contributing communities. Violent crime in —John F. Kennedy, Special Message to the Congress on Foreign Aid, March 13, 1962 to the rise of gang leaders or Flanker has decreased signifi- “dons.” In some communities, cantly in the past several years Joseph A. Fredericks dons control all facets of life, due in part to the efforts of the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Public Affairs (Acting) including delivering basic ser- Flanker Peace and Justice Cen- vices that governments normally ter, which received assistance FRONTLINES STAFF provide. from COMET. Ben Barber, Editorial Director USAID-COMET first hosted The program helped the JCF Claire McIntyre, Production Editor the conference “Guns, Gangs and develop community-based polic- Angela Rucker, Writer Governance,” which brought ing policy guidelines and training Patricia Adams, Photo Librarian together youth, NGOs, the police, manuals; aided the development Mary Jane Cotter, Human Resources Coordinator and Employee Liaison academia, and entertainment to of safety and security plans in 56 Brittany Jackson, Intern analyze the problem. COMET communities; and established a has since worked to address hotline for anonymously reporting CORRESPONDENTS: Jamaica’s gang phenomenon corruption as well as the National AFGE – Willy Hardin; AFR – Susan Quinn, Ranta Russell; AFSA – Francisco Zamora; while the government has devel- Integrity Action Forum, which ASIA – Jan Cartwright; CFBCI – Heather MacLean; DCHA – Rebecca Gustafson, Sven Lindholm, Amanda Eichelkraut; oped a strategy to reduce the brings together state agencies EGAT – Jane Stanley, Ashley Allen; E&E – Michael Hathaway; OCRD – Gloria Blackwell; GC – Harmony Wade; problem. with anti-corruption mandates. ODP – Todd Kirkbride; GH – Sandra Jordan, Chris Thomas, Jessica DiRocco; “I am impressed with The lessons learned from the IG – Debra Scott; LAC – Maxine Hillary; LPA – Barbara Bennett; USAID-COMET’s significant COMET Project in Jamaica are M – Lauren Gabler; ME – Hope Bryer, Jan Cartwright; network cutting across govern- being applied to other USAID SEC – Dwayne Moore, Lorraine Meehan ments, NGOs, universities, and community-based policing law enforcement,” said Samuel programs. Blake, director of the Organized “COMET is one of the best Submit notices, story ideas, feedback to   articles and requests Crime and Defense Unit in the projects funded by an interna- to be added to the mailing list to [email protected]. Ministry of . tional partner and is a big shoe “This resource is not just an for any other project to fill,” said The icon at the end of a story indicates that associated videos are available through the invaluable asset to the [unit]. It Assistant Commissioner of online version of FrontLines. Go to www.usaid.gov/frontlines to view these videos. is also a significant contribution Police Novelette Grant. ૽ to crime prevention and com- For more information on the munity safety in Jamaica.” USAID COMET Project, contact COMET’s support has Christina Davis at chridavis@ provided increased safety and usaid.gov.

 11 SPOTLIGHT ON AFGHANISTAN

INTERNET ACCESS LIGHTS UP JALALABAD

AFGHAN WOMEN BREAK INTO CONSTRUCTION WORK KABUL—Stereotypes are teasing, but I didn’t pay attention fading in Afghanistan, where to it.” many women are occupying The same is true for Fatima non-traditional positions that Azizi, assistant to the director were long held by men. At the of information technology at USAID-funded Tarakhil Power Plant near Kabul, women are proving that they are qualified to contribute to the develop- ment of their country. Twice a day, senior fuel attendant Suraya Sahar puts on her boots, safety glasses, and hard hat to oversee the safe dis- charge of diesel fuel into under- ground tanks at the power plant. In her first job at Tarakhil, when the plant was being built, Sahar was the inspector who tested the high-wire scaffoldings to ensure that the platforms could bear the weight of workers. She used that information to recom- mend when harnesses or safety cables were required, keeping workers safe and construction on track. “Being a woman in construc- tion—this is a first-time experi- ence,” Sahar said. “There was

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