USAID office reopens [Archives:2003/04/Local News]

ABDUH M. ASSABRI
YEMEN TIMES STAFF
A delegation from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID headed by Douglas Heisler, the Health Development Officer and James C. Carlson, Senior Program Officer are presently on a visit to Yemen for adding the final touches to reopen the USAID office in the country and to define future program opportunities.
In a press conference held on January 22 at the US Embassy in Sana’a, Mr. Douglas said that his agency is to offer USD 10 million to the benefit of the Poverty Reduction Strategy.
Finance matters will be dealt with by the delegation after its departure for Washington.
The success of USAID relies in large part on a commitment by the U.S. to support Yemen in this transition. USAID will contribute to these efforts by helping with basic healthcare, family planning services, and improved access to education at all stages, particularly for Yemeni women.
During 2003, the USAID intends to continue and expand its health and education activities to serve a greater number of communities in Yemen. Resources may also be used to fund program monitors.
This emphasizes the importance that the US government accords to development as a necessary companion to security measures.
Starting in the 1960s, USAID realized numerous development programs in Yemen such as, road building, water projects, building of schools, agricultural research and mineral surveys, NGO development, legislative and judicial reform, university scholarships and health training.
Yemen’s economic and political development is essential for achieving the key U.S. goal of stability in the Gulf region. Threatened by multiple and severe development challenges, Yemen requires targeted interventions and reforms in order to achieve political and economic stability. Yemen is critical to U.S. counterterrorism interests in the post-September 11th environment, and the United States will work with the Government of Yemen to deal with terrorists on Yemeni soil and to deter terrorists from seeking refuge in or transiting through Yemen.
Despite the success that the government of Yemen is achieving with its stabilization program, major economic and development challenges remain. The Republic of Yemen is among the 25 poorest and least developed countries in the world.

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