The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) celebrated its 60th Anniversary (Nov. 3, 1961-Nov. 3, 2021), saying that it has reached all 25 Cambodian provinces and works with Cambodian and international partners to implement programmes that benefit all Cambodians.
USAID programmes have helped more than 230,000 Cambodian farmers and their families escape hunger and poverty. Through its agricultural and environmental programs, rural communities have generated an additional US$90,000,000 for Cambodia’s economy. In addition, USAID continues to support Cambodia to reach its goal of eliminating HIV and malaria by 2025. Since 2017, not one person has died from malaria in Cambodia. USAID has helped reduce stunting among children under five to 27 percent in 2018 from 35 percent. It has also achieved almost universal access in primary education and improved early grade learning skills of children with and without disabilities.
“USAID is a premier international development agency and catalytic actor driving development results. USAID’s work demonstrates American generosity, promotes a path to recipient self-reliance and resilience. USAID programmes in Cambodia represent our enduring commitment to the Cambodian people, and the depth and breadth of U.S.-Cambodia partnership!” noted U.S. Ambassador W. Patrick Murphy.
While COVID-19 has presented challenges, the U.S. government, through USAID, has provided more than US$15 million in direct COVID-19 relief support to Cambodia, including resources to help vaccinate the people of Cambodia quickly and safely. In addition, the U.S. government has provided more than one million doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccine to the government of Cambodia through the COVAX facility.
