USAID and Peace Corps celebrate 60 years

During an event to celebrate the 60-year anniversaries of both the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United States Peace Corps, Ambassador Lynch hosted a reception with President Irfaan Ali and other distinguished guests.

USAID’s partnership with Guyana predates the country’s independence, dating back to the creation of the Agency in 1961. Over the years, projects have included:

• critical infrastructure, including the Soesdyke-Linden highway which opened in 1969;
• economic growth under the Guyana Trade and Investment Support program which strengthened the capacity of Guyana’s private sector and increased investments in aquaculture, agribusiness and ecotourism;
• support for Guyana’s HIV/AIDS response by providing reliable access to live-saving drugs, care and counseling; and,
• the work continues today, assisting with COVID-19 relief, strengthening democratic governance, supporting community-led disaster preparedness, supporting youth empowerment, improving citizen security, supporting growth and export capability of small businesses, and financing sustainable development.

The Peace Corps debuted in Guyana in1966 and returned in 1995 after a five-year hiatus.

To date, over 1,400 volunteers have served in all 10 Regions of Guyana.  Currently, the volunteers’ focus on education, health and climate issues complements the efforts of the Ministries of Education and Health and the Department of Climate Change and the Environment to build a stronger future for the young people of Guyana.

In her remarks, Ambassador Lynch emphasized the importance of both programs to build people-to-people ties between the United States and Guyana, and she reflected on her own experience as a Peace Corps Volunteer and USAID official.

“Sixty years on, these organizations are vibrant and full of new ideas for Guyana. The cooperation with the government and people of Guyana have made this possible,” said the Ambassador. (US Embassy press release)