Speeches Shim
I’ve had a packed and weighty few days here in Lebanon. I traveled to the Beqaa to speak to farmers and herders beset by the grave economic crisis. There, I announced the U.S. would contribute an additional $72 million in emergency food assistance through the World Food Programme, and that should support more than 650,000 people in need.
I don't know that I've ever felt so proud as to have this affiliation with these two incredible institutions. And so, thank you for welcoming me here today. Thank you for giving us, as USAID, and us, as the U.S. government, the privilege of partnering with you and supporting such incredible students, as the alums I guess, that we just heard from.
Good afternoon, everyone. Thank you, Mayor Yassine, for your words. And thanks to all of you for such an incredibly warm welcome here in Majdel Anjar. Lebanon is an impossibly beautiful country. It is legendary for its beauty. But I must say, being here, seeing it first hand, adds a whole new depth of feeling for this rich, dynamic land.
Good afternoon, everybody. It is very moving to be here in Lebanon as the Administrator of USAID, a long standing partner – with so many parts of the rest of the U.S. government – with the Lebanese people.
TOMMY VIETOR: Ben, our guest today really needs no introduction. She's one of the world's biggest Boston Red Sox fans, even when it's tough at times like these. She worked at the White House and the National Security Staff. She was the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, and she continues her government service today as the Administrator for the U.S. Agency for International Development. Samantha Power, it's great to see you.
ADMINISTRATOR POWER: Lovely to see you, Tommy.
Eswatini is recognized leader in providing HIV-related services. In September, the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini and the U.S. announced the results of the 2021 Eswatini Population-based HIV Impact Assessment survey, locally known as “SHIMS3”. The survey found that in Eswatini, 94 percent of adults 15 years and older living with HIV are aware of their status, 97 percent of those aware of their status are on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 96 percent of those on therapy have achieved viral suppression.
So, whether you’re fighting the climate crisis or helping build peace in the world’s most conflict-ridden regions, at USAID, you Morehouse Men can apply your studies, your experience, and your fierce belief in social change to helping achieve Dr. King’s global vision of justice. And when you graduate from Morehouse as part of that newest, greatest generation, you will find a world immensely grateful for your contributions and for your leadership.
Thank you for inviting me to be here today. I would like to take this opportunity to recognize the efforts of the American Bar Association – Rule of Law Initiative (ABA-ROLI), Grameen Foundation, Imbita Swaziland Women’s Finance Trust, and MTN Eswatini on this important initiative.
I want to thank the Office of the Prime Minister for its technical guidance and support for this initiative; Mr. Ben Nangombe, Executive Director of the Ministry of Health and Social Services, for his leadership; Mr. Jeremia Nghipundjwa and Ms. Anna Isaacs for their day-to-day management and oversight; and all the MoHSS staff who I understand sacrificed several weekends in advance of this launch to make the shift from a paper-based to a digital HR management system a reality.
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Last updated: September 20, 2024
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