USAID Provides $147 Million To Improve Pakistan's Health, Education, Economic, Governance Sectors

Released by U.S. Embassy Islamabad

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) is providing $147.6 million to improve the quality of Pakistan’s education and health services, help create employment and economic opportunities, and improve electoral and legislative processes, officials said here today.

“USAID is proud to expand its cooperation with Pakistan in education, health, economic growth, and governance,” said Christina B. Rocca, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for South Asian Affairs, who is in Pakistan on an official visit.

She and Acting USAID Mission Director Patricia L. Rader joined Pakistan State Minister for Economic Affairs Hina Rabbani Khar and Shuja Shah, Secretary, Economic Affairs Division, in a signing ceremony marking provision of the development funds. U.S. Ambassador Ryan C. Crocker also attended.
USAID’s largest commitment will be in education. This year, the development agency plans to spend nearly $67 million to improve basic, higher, and vocational education in Pakistan. Working with Pakistani officials, USAID supports teachers and administrators to utilize improved teaching techniques in mathematics, science and English as a second language; early childhood education programs in more than 200 schools; preparing district education officials to better manage public education resources; and literacy centers to teach out-of-school youth and adults to read. Hundreds of schools in Balochistan, Sindh, and FATA have either been rebuilt, or work on projects is in process.

Two scholarship programs will help Pakistanis pursue university and postgraduate education. An in-country scholarship program will help some 400 students to study in Pakistani universities. Through the U.S. Fulbright Program, USAID funds will help send more than 110 Pakistanis to U.S. universities for postgraduate education. Pakistan’s Higher Education Commission also is supporting this program.

USAID will provide almost $51 million this year to improve health care services, especially for women and children. With help from local organizations funded by USAID, more women now have access to quality reproductive health care services in difficult to reach rural areas. USAID is also improving health care services at the provincial and district levels by training health officials and healthcare providers. The program is also helping to decrease transmission of communicable diseases such as polio, hepatitis, tuberculosis, and HIV/AIDS. USAID’s maternal and neonatal care program will help reduce the incidence of maternal and infant mortality. A program to improve water and sanitation services in selected districts will also be launched this year.

USAID’s economic growth programs aim to raise incomes and employment opportunities. Microfinance programs in Balochistan, rural Sindh, and the FATA will reach more than 100,000 micro-entrepreneurs this year. Support to key Pakistani industry groups and SMEDA will help raise the quality and reputation of Pakistani products and boost export opportunities . USAID will spend $17 million on these programs this year.

USAID will provide $13 million to strengthen governance. A new program will work with the national and provincial authorities to strengthen legislative processes. USAID will also provide support for fair, competitive and transparent electoral processes in the country.

Since establishing its program in 2002, USAID has provided nearly $300 million in grant assistance to Pakistan.