This agreement falls within the 2014-2018 USAID’s strategy and is aligned with DR’s National Development Strategy
Santo Domingo: US Ambassador James W. Brewster, the Director of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Alexandria Panehal, and Mr. Temístocles Montás, Minister for Economics, Planning and Development, signed an amendment to the Grant Agreement between the two countries, aimed at improving citizen security to promote economic growth within the Dominican Republic.
This agreement falls within USAID’s 2014-2018 Strategy and is aligned with the Dominican Republic’s National Development Strategy. Under the agreement, USAID will contribute US$184.9 million during the next five years. To date, US$ 41.7 million has been disbursed including US$18.47 million under this amendment.
The Grant Agreement reflects the goals and objectives of the United States Government in the Dominican Republic and focuses on crime prevention specifically related to at-risk youth in the poorest urban areas. Additionally, the agreement aims to improve the quality of education so that students stay in school longer and obtain employment upon completion of their education. Other aspects of the agreement include increasing the resilience of people to the impacts of climate change and preventing and treating HIV/AIDs.
During his speech after signing the amendment, Ambassador Brewster highlighted the importance of the agreement which reflects both countries values to promote transparency, accountability and social inclusion of vulnerable groups such as women, at risk youth, persons with disabilities and homosexuals, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender (LGBT).
Ambassador Brewster mentioned USAID’s 53th anniversary in the country highlighting that, to date, the agency has donated close to US$1,800 million to the country.
