ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar – USAID celebrated its thirty years of presence in Madagascar on December 12^th. In the three decades since it first opened an office in Antananarivo in 1984, USAID has been working to protect Madagascar’s unique biodiversity, support anti-corruption reforms, increase access to basic education, reduce food insecurity,  strengthen the country’s ability to respond to natural disasters, improve access to basic health care and family planning services, and fight trafficking in persons.  USAID will continue to support the people and the government of Madagascar to end extreme poverty and promote a resilient, democratic society with greater security and prosperity.

“This is a time of hope and change for Madagascar,” said Mission Director Susan Riley.  “Let’s celebrate today by renewing our commitment to take concrete actions that will lead to health and prosperity for all 22 million people in the country. We need to keep moving forward because there’s so much more work awaiting us ahead.”

Among its notable accomplishments over that last three decades, USAID/Madagascar has played a pivotal role in expanding family planning services and in making Madagascar a leader in modern contraceptive use among African nations. USAID’s work in the environment sector helped double the areas of Madagascar devoted the national parks and protected areas. Assistance to combat malaria is reducing malaria infections and deaths and giving Madagascar a realistic chance to eliminate the threat of this disease within its borders. Today, USAID brings together the technology, resources and global imperative to meet the challenges of improving lives around the country and around the world. 

Globally, in the last 20 years alone, economic growth, bolstered by human ingenuity and entrepreneurship, has reduced worldwide poverty rates by half. Now, for the first time in history, development partners have the tools, technologies and approaches to finish the job and end extreme poverty in two decades, to ensure that all men, women and children can live in societies that provide for their health, security and well-being.