OVERVIEW
As part of USAID/Benin’s 2022-2027 five-year strategy, all programs and activities are designed to improve Benin's ability to foster a healthier, more stable, and more democratic society by increasing the availability of health services and promoting their use by citizens; improving key health governance management systems and increasing citizen participation in decision-making with local governments regarding the use of health resources; and building and enhancing democracy, human rights, stability, and conflict prevention.
EXPANDING DELIVERY OF QUALITY HEALTH SERVICES
Benin's maternal and child mortality rates are among the highest worldwide. In close collaboration with the Benin Ministry of Health, USAID has helped pioneer community-based primary health care, ultimately enhancing the effectiveness of community health workers, services, referral systems, and financing. Our focus on malaria prevention, diagnosis, and treatment supports the Ministry of Health’s goal to eliminate malaria by 2030. Gender equality and women’s empowerment are integral to our work, with programs addressing maternal and reproductive health and initiatives to sensitize men to women's health needs in family planning, pregnancy, and childbirth. Additionally, USAID provides HIV prevention services and combats stigma and discrimination, ensuring continuity of treatment and viral load suppression.
STRENGTHENING GOVERNANCE OF HEALTH SECTOR SERVICES
Our efforts to improve governance strengthen health institutions and citizens’ confidence and lead to a healthier population and a stronger democracy. We bolster management systems to improve performance of the health system and to expand the availability and quality of services and products. We deepen citizen engagement with public health officials to bring local realities into the decision-making process. Additionally, USAID's Global Health Security Program helps strengthen the systems needed to prevent and mitigate the increasing occurrence and severity of emerging infectious disease threats.
PROMOTING STABILITY AND PREVENTING CONFLICT CONFLICT MITIGATION
With an integrated, multi-sectoral approach, USAID works to promote stability, mitigate conflict risks, and strengthen social cohesion. To do this, USAID activities promote social understanding, encourage intra- and inter-group collaboration, and mitigate the risks of farmer-herder conflict, electoral violence, and spillover from conflict-affected neighboring countries. These interventions in northern Benin address societal grievances, particularly those from disadvantaged groups, and make violent extremism organization (VEO) recruitment and expansion more difficult.
SUPPORTING GOOD GOVERNANCE, HUMAN RIGHTS, AND INCLUSIVE AND TRANSPARENT ELECTIONS
USAID programming in governance, human rights, and election processes is small but growing. Activities build the capacity of the Benin Human Rights Commission to promote and defend the rights of citizens. Investments also support the oversight capacity of civil society, which helps ensure a transparent and inclusive electoral process.
INCREASING TRADE, ECONOMIC GROWTH, AND ACCESS TO WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE
The upcoming “Northern Economic Livelihoods for Youth, Women, and Vulnerable Populations” (NELY) activity will focus on improving communities’ resilience to violent extremism through more equitable and diverse economic livelihoods access for youth, women, and vulnerable populations in targeted moderate to high-risk conflict areas. Regional trade programs focus on policy advocacy and technical assistance to build regional and global trade linkages and attract investments. By supporting more competitive and sustainable cashew and shea industries, we improve rural livelihoods. USAID also promotes economic growth in fruit processing facilities, driving exports and fostering sustainable job creation in Benin. Clean water, sanitation, and hygiene needs are addressed through programs promoting drinking water, latrines, handwashing, and waste disposal.
