U.S. Renews its Commitment to Djibouti with $2.5 Million Grant Amendment for COVID Relief

COMMUNIQUE DE PRESSE
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Djibouti

 

 

Djibouti, September 7, 2020 – The United States increased its funding to the Government of Djibouti by $2.5 million to address the local impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  On behalf of the U.S. government, Ms. Andrea J. Tomaszewicz, Chargé d’Affairs of the U.S. Embassy, signed with H.E. Mr. Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, an amendment to the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Development Objective Grant Agreement to formalize the $2.5 million contribution.  The Agreement underscores the American people’s commitment to address the second-order impacts of COVID-19 in Djibouti.  This amendment brings the total amount of U.S. funding pledged to support Djibouti’s response to COVID-19 since the start of the pandemic to more than $4.9 million.

USAID’s amendment to the Development Objective Grant Agreement provides the funding and resources required to help Djibouti lead its recovery effort.  Under this amendment, USAID will partner with UNDP to help preserve and create new livelihoods for approximately 60,000 people.  Funding will mobilize cross-sectoral support for emergency response and resilience for civil society organizations and grassroots organizations.

The United States is a key provider of bilateral assistance in Djibouti.  The United States has already invested more than $338 million in Djibouti over the last 20 years – with over $92 million under this grant agreement alone since 2007 – highlighting the American people’s long-standing partnership with Djibouti.
On August 21, 2020 the U.S. Secretary of State first announced the U.S. government’s decision to provide 2.5 million in additional funding to Djibouti via a public Fact Sheet.  Refer to the U.S. Embassy’s Website, Facebook, and Twitter accounts for further details on the announcement.

For more information, please contact the Public Diplomacy section of the U.S. Embassy:  (253) 21 45 33 68 or e-mail at DjiboutiPD@State.gov