November 18, 2011
Ottawa, Ontario―Today, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, announced 25 new initiatives to further Canada's support to Africa. Minister Oda referenced these projects in a recent speech delivered to African Heads of Missions meeting in Ottawa.
"Canada is proud to invest in Africa's future. These projects announced today reinforce our government's commitment to focused, accountable aid for Africa that delivers results and hope for Africa's poor and vulnerable," said Minister Oda. "Canada is focused on helping Africa fulfil its future potential with assistance that will strengthen country efforts towards a better life for all."
Within these 25 initiatives, Canada, through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is supporting 23 projects encompassing all of CIDA's thematic priority areas - Children and Youth, Food Security and Sustainable Economic Growth. Seven of these are multi-country projects supporting efforts to prevent the mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS, further improving child health, or increasing the capacity of African Regional Technical Centres. The others are targeted to support work in a range of individual African countries by working with Canadian, international and African-based organizations. These initiatives will serve to:
help families increase their household income;
help farmers increase the productivity of their land and livestock;
improve water management;
empower youth leadership; increase access to clean water and sanitation,
increasing access to improved health care at the community level; extend better nutrition and the delivery of vitamin A and iron supplements;
increase the training of health workers; and,
build 25 new maternal waiting homes.
The final two projects provide ongoing humanitarian assistance to address critical needs in Africa related to drought, conflict and displacement in some of the worst-affected areas of Sudan, South Sudan and Chad.
The announcements made today total more than $200 million, reflecting Canada's ongoing commitment to continue to respond to humanitarian needs, increase food security, improve health care, increase education and promote economic growth.