|
|
The United States and Zambia enjoy warm relations. The United States is working closely with the Zambian Government to defeat the HIV/AIDS pandemic that is ravaging Zambia and to effect constitutional, parliamentary, and electoral reform needed to strengthen the nation's emerging democratic institutions. The United States is also supporting the government's efforts to root out corruption. Zambia is a beneficiary of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
|
|
The United States has a substantial foreign assistance program; through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. Government provided about $50 million in assistance to Zambia in 2003. Overall U.S. assistance, including that administered by USAID, will increase in 2004 with implementation of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which during 2004 should provide approximately $66 million in support for the fight against HIV/AIDS. USAID, the Centers for Disease Control, the Peace Corps, the Defense Attache Office, and the State Department will administer Emergency Plan programs.
USAID 's Country Strategic Plan forms the basis for development assistance to Zambia from 2004 to 2010. The strategy focuses on the following strategic objectives:
Increased private sector competitiveness;
Improved quality of basic education for more school-aged children;
Improved health status of Zambians;
Government held more accountable; and
Reduced impact of HIV/AIDS through a multi-sectoral response.
In addition to supporting development projects, the United States has provided considerable emergency food aid during periods of drought through the World Food Program (WFP) and is a major contributor to refugee programs in Zambia through the UN High Commission for Refugees and other agencies.
|
|
A country agreement inviting the Peace Corps to work in Zambia was signed by the United States and Zambia on September 14, 1993. The first group of volunteers was sworn in on April 7, 1994. In 2004, the Peace Corps program in Zambia continues to increase understanding between Zambians and Americans. More than 140 volunteers are promoting sustainable development through their activities in agricultural and natural resource management, health and sanitation, education, and humanitarian assistance. Volunteers are working in eight of Zambia's nine provinces building local capacity to manage family fish farms, to manage and preserve wildlife resources, to implement health reforms at the village level, to introduce interactive radio instruction for primary school children, and to extend HIV/AIDS education efforts. Recently, a Crisis Corps Program was resumed to support local organizations in the fight against AIDS. Volunteers live primarily in rural villages in remote parts of the country without running water, electricity, or other amenities. New trainees undertake training in local language, culture, and the relevant technical specialty for 9-12 weeks at a center in the Copperbelt.
|
|
Ambassador--Martin Brennan
Deputy Chief of Mission--Andrew Passen
Public Affairs Officer--Dehab Ghebreab
Political/Economic Section Chief--Katherine Dhanani
Consular Officer--Joshua Fischel
Defense Attache--Lt. Col. Leslie Bryant
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention--Dr. Marc Bulterys
USAID Mission Director--James Bednar
Peace Corps Director--David Morris
The U.S. Embassy in Zambia is at the corner of Independence and United Nations Avenues (P.O. Box 31617), Lusaka (tel: 260-1- 250955; fax 260-1-252225).
|
|