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CARICOM And USAID Sign Multi-million Dollar Aid Package

GEORGETOWN, Guyana CMC – The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Tuesday, signed several agreements totalling US$165 million.

“These agreements are rendering assistance in areas that have been identified as critical to the well-being of our citizens. Combating the challenges posed by climate change, HIV/AIDS, and crime and violence, with reference to youth participation, is right at the forefront of the issues facing our Community today,” CARICOM Secretary General, Irwin La Rocque, said.

La Roque, and USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission Director, Christopher Cushing, initialed the five-year Development Objective Agreements (DOAGs) during the brief ceremony.

The agreements will spearhead USAID’s 2015-2019 Regional Development Cooperation Strategy that covers youth, HIV/AIDS, and climate change programming in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, St. Kitts – Nevis, Barbados, Trinidad ad Tobago, Suriname, and Guyana.

Washington is providing an estimated US$89 million towards reducing youth crime and violence in target communities; US$52 million is earmarked for achieving epidemic control of HIV/AIDS among key populations, while US$31 million will support initiatives that reduce the risks to human and natural assets resulting from climate vulnerability.

“The United States government and USAID are pleased to partner with CARICOM in these initiatives, which will improve the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable groups, including youth and socially marginalized populations,” said US Ambassador to Guyana, Perry Halloway.

“Our success over the years has been possible largely due to the support of our partners, without whom implementation would not be possible. CARICOM, by virtue of its commitment to improving the economic, social, cultural, and technological advancement of Caribbean people, remains a beacon in this regard,” he added.

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