US Government holds aid discussions with Maldives

United States Government has held discussion with the Maldives Government to explore support areas for climate change and governance initiatives in Maldives.

The Senior Deputy Assistant Administrator (SDAA) of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Denise Rollins (photo) visited Maldives on Thursday 21st of February 2013.

The US embassy in Colombo said that SDAA Rollins met with President Dr. Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Dhunya Maumoon, officials from the Ministry of Environment and Energy, Elections Commission, United Nations representatives, and civil society groups.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is the development arm of the U.S. Government.

The US embassy in Colombo stated that USAID is currently working on a program to strengthen the Elections Commission (EC) that aims to bolster democracy in the Maldives. USAID is also improving climate resilience by increasing access to water supply, sewerage and solid waste services, and offering training to Maldivians to adapt to the impact of climate change on two model islands in the Maldives

The United States has provided assistance to the Maldives since 2001. Programs have ranged from utilizing wind power to meet energy needs to training officials and strengthening government institutions.

Following the Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, the United States allocated $12 million to Maldives for immediate relief and longer-term reconstruction assistance.