PRESS RELEASE
————————————————————————–
USAID’s Deputy Assistant Administrator for Southern Africa launches the second phase of USAID Governance program in Cabo Delgado
December 8, 2022 – During the visit of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Deputy Assistant Administrator in charge of Southern Africa, Maria Price Detherage, the U.S. Embassy launched the second phase of the USAID Local Governance Strengthening (LOGOS) project. This second phase expands the LOGOS technical assistance for local government officials to Cabo Delgado Province and includes donated computer equipment for the provincial government.
“Partnering to support democratic governance is a top priority for the U.S. Government,” said Detherage during the launch ceremony. “USAID believes and invests in the power of local governance. In partnership with the Government of Mozambique and in support of the national decentralization agenda, the expansion of the LOGOS program offers an opportunity to improve the delivery of basic services, such as health, education, water, and sanitation, as well as increase transparency and accountability to citizens.”
The LOGOS project provides technical assistance to local officials to improve strategic planning processes, improve planning and budget processes, collection and management of local revenues, and strengthen accountability on service delivery in education, health, and water, sanitation and hygiene. This new phase of the project is a $10.5 million investment that supports Nampula, Zambezia and Cabo Delgado Provinces and specifically targets districts affected by the conflict. Technical assistance to these provincial and district officials includes training to improve budget and planning processes, introduction of financial management systems, and other tools to build responsive local governments. The project will continue to improve social accountability mechanisms and citizen capacity to meaningfully participate in governance processes at provincial, district and municipal levels and support the government entities of these provinces to improve their effectiveness and ability to address the root causes of the violent extremism.
Support for democracy, human rights, and governance is a critical component of the broader U.S. Government assistance in Mozambique. In close collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Mozambique, the U.S. Government provides more than $500 million in annual assistance to improve the quality of education and healthcare, promote economic prosperity, and support the overall development of the nation.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) leads the U.S. Government’s international development and disaster assistance through partnerships and investments that save lives, reduce poverty, strengthen democratic governance, and help people emerge from humanitarian crises. For more information about USAIDs work, visit www.usaid.gov.
Media interested in receiving more information should contact the U.S. Embassy Press Office by e-mail: MaputoPress@state.gov.