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US bilateral grants to Tanzania increased by USD200m
2008-09-24 09:24:48
By Guardian Reporter
The US government, through its international development agency (USAID), has signed amendments to bilateral grant agreements to increase funding for existing programmes in 2008 by over USD 200 million (about 231bn/-).
A statement issued by the US embassy in Dar es Salaam yesterday said the money would go to support health (including HIV/Aids and malaria), education, natural resources management, economic growth, and good governance.
The statement said in the health sector the grants would support multi-sectoral responses to HIV/Aids, prevention and control of malaria, increased use and quality of reproductive and child health services, and improved access to safe water and sanitation.
In the education sector, according to the statement, the funds would continue to support the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (both in Zanzibar and on the Mainland) to improve the quality of education in English, maths and sciences in underserved communities through teacher training, improved school management, access to updated textbooks, provision of science laboratory equipment, and other learning materials.
Grants for natural resources management and economic growth would continue to support biodiversity activities in six of Tanzania`s most important ecosystems.
The agriculture sector is also to receive support through programmes to increase the incomes of small farmers through improved access to markets and credit.
In the good governance area, support from America would continue to strengthen the organs for public accountability that underpin modern democracies: a free and open press, an independent and proactive legislature, anti-corruption, and rule of law.
Commenting after signing of the grant agreements, outgoing USAID mission director Pamela White, who leaves this week to head the agency`s mission in Monrovia, Liberia, said: ``As I depart Tanzania after three fabulous years assisting and witnessing the country make great strides, it makes me proud to sign these agreements on behalf of the people of the United States to help improve the quality of life of the people of Tanzania.``
With the new funding, USAID would have provided over USD 217 million in 2008.
This assistance is part of overall US government direct and multilateral assistance to Tanzania of more than 750bn/- during the last fiscal year.
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