The United States government re-opened the Agency for International Development (USAID) mission here in 2002 and from 2002 through 2007, the agency provided nearly 2.4 billion dollar to Pakistan.
This assistance included Emergency Economic Assistance to address needs in education, health, economic growth and good governance, as well as assistance for reconstruction in areas devastated by the October 2005 earthquake, USAID sources said. According to the sources, the goal of US assistance to Pakistan is to support peace and stability in the South Asia over the long-term.
Continued broad-based economic progress is essential to maintain and enhance Pakistan's political and economic stability, they remarked. The sources further said that the USAID's education programmes cover the entire spectrum, including early childhood instruction, education policy reform, literacy and scholarships for higher education.
In the remote and undeserved areas of Balochistan and Sindh, USAID helped teachers, school administrators, and parents formed over 3,000 committees to improve their government schools, they remarked.
In the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata), USAID is rebuilding 65 schools. USAID is giving 500 students Fulbright scholarships to study in the United States and need-based scholarships to 906 students to study in Pakistan since 2004, they remarked.
In the Health sector, they said USAID is upgrading 31 hospitals and trains 3,000 health staff to improve care for pregnant women and new-borns. It increased the availability of quality reproductive health products, so families can space births.
"USAID helps to eradicate polio, reach communities vulnerable to HIV/AIDS and decrease the incidence of tuberculosis," they remarked. Regarding the Creating Economic Growth Opportunities, the sources said that Pakistan's future depends on its ability to create jobs and promote investment sine 2001.
"USAID helps the poor directly by providing small loans and financial services in parts of the country that lack banks or other lending programmes," they remarked. They added that a nation-wide USAID-supported programme changed banking practices to reach the large market of small businesses too big for micro-credit but too small for conventional loans.
In Balochistan, USAID teaches techniques to increase agricultural production. USAID help small-and medium-sized enterprises in industries like dairy, marble and granite, gems and jewellery, horticulture, furniture and surgical instruments to become competitive and to create more and better jobs.
They further said that accountable governance involving citizens' input can strengthen development and make it more effective. They said that USAID, helps strengthen Pakistan's national and provincial assemblies with technical assistance, training and resource centres. The USAID also supports the devolution of responsibility and budgeting to local governments by strengthening their ability to deliver better public service. In addition, "USAID helps Pakistan's Election Commission oversee and carry out free and credible national elections."
They added that the October 2005 earthquake caused a massive loss of life and damage in NWFP and Azad Jammu and Kashmir. Following its relief efforts, USAID has now transitioned to a recovery and reconstruction programme. The programme rebuilds schools and health facilities, strengthens system and capacities of public health workers and district government education officials, and restores and improves livelihoods.
They further said that the US government's Emergency Economic Assistance (EEA) Agreements provided balance of payments, budget and policy reform support to the Government of Pakistan during a time of economic hardship and political strain associated with Pakistan's participation in the Global War on Terror. In 2008, the Emergency Economic Assistance will be put into USAID-managed development programmes that directly improve the health, education and economic opportunities of Pakistan, they added.
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