LUSAKA – Today, Dr. Edgar Chagwa Lungu, President of the Republic of Zambia, and U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires (CDA) David Young commemorated the U.S. government’s commitment to implement a five-year, K39 billion ($1.9 billion) development strategy for Zambia. The long-term strategy will improve health, education, economic development, and democratic governance for Zambia’s people. The announcement represents a renewed commitment by the United States toward Zambia’s journey to self-reliance. More than 2.5 million Zambians benefit each day from the U.S. investments in health, education, and other areas.
Subject to continued availability of funds from the U.S. Congress, the agreement signifies the total amount of planned funding the United States has pledged over the next five years to implement development assistance and programs in support of the work of the U.S. Agency for International Development, which serves as a blueprint for how the U.S. government will help Zambia ultimately end its need for development assistance.
“The United States of America’s support has been essential in complementing the Zambian government’s efforts in preserving lives, particularly human resources required for economic development,” said President Lungu. “More recently, the United States pledged $14.5 million to Zambia for the COVID-19 response. The support has been earmarked, among others, towards the purchase of medical equipment, such as oxygen machines, testing equipment, and other supplies aimed at combating the pandemic.”
In 1977, the U.S. government first established its USAID presence in Zambia. Since then, USAID has invested more than K80 billion ($4 billion) toward Zambia’s economic, political, and social development, and helped the country respond to major crises, involving the HIV/AIDS pandemic, periodic droughts, and the current coronavirus pandemic.
“The launch of USAID’s new development strategy cements our continued support to the people of Zambia for years to come. This new USAID strategy helps support a road map to Zambia’s self-reliance, aiming for a time when Zambia will no longer need to rely on foreign assistance. Our vision aligns with and supports Zambia’s Seventh National Development Plan,” said CDA Young. “The 39 billion kwacha investment helps improve the lives of more than 2.5 million Zambians each day through health and education investments.”
Over the next five years, through USAID, the United States is committed to working with the Zambian government, its citizens, the private sector, and other donors to improve health, literacy, and food security for the most vulnerable Zambians. The U.S. government is focused on working toward HIV epidemic control; improving early grade reading of students; increasing sustainable economic development and diversification throughout Zambia; improving domestic resource mobilization, public financial management, and anti-corruption efforts to bolster Zambia’s ability to fund its own development; supporting the Zambian government’s decentralization efforts; and establishing a vibrant and diverse independent media landscape so all Zambians can freely and constructively express their views in both print and digital platforms.
In addition to USAID, the U.S. partnership with the government and people of Zambia includes major contributions from the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Department of Defense, the Peace Corps, and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. The U.S. government partners with Zambia to support education, enhance health, bolster food security, protect the environment, promote good governance, spur economic development, and provide opportunities for exchanges.
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ABOUT USAID
USAID is the world’s premier international development agency and a catalytic actor driving development results. USAID works to help lift lives, build communities, and advance democracy. USAID’s work advances U.S. national security and economic prosperity, demonstrates American generosity, and promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. On behalf of the American people, USAID promotes and demonstrates democratic values abroad, and advances a free, peaceful, and prosperous world. In support of U.S. foreign policy, USAID leads the U.S. government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises and progress beyond assistance.
More: Remarks by U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires David Young.