For Immediate Release
Press Release
U.S. Government Renews Support to Drought Control in West Africa
Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, March 19, 2024. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) today launched a new $12.5 million partnership agreement to address food insecurity and drought in the Sahel and West Africa region. The agreement, which runs from 2024 to 2029, will enhance drought early warning systems and strategies to anticipate and respond to food security crises.
“This agreement is a testament to our shared commitment to addressing the complex challenges of food insecurity and drought in the Sahel and West Africa,” said USAID/West Africa Regional Mission Director Jo Lesser-Oltheten. “Together, we can work to empower individuals, strengthen communities, and transform lives.”
The launching ceremony took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.
“CILSS is honored to partner with USAID on this important initiative,” said Dr. Abdoulaye Mohamadou, Executive Secretary of CILSS. “This partnership will enable us to significantly enhance our efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity and drought in the region, and build a more resilient and sustainable future for the people of the Sahel and West Africa.”
The agreement also strengthens West Africa’s agricultural production and productivity to improve food access and nutrition. Sustainable land and water management practices and communities’ resilience to climate change will also be supported by the new agreement.
This new partnership is a critical step in USAID’s ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity and drought in the Sahel and West Africa region. USAID has been a strong partner of CILSS for over 50 years, providing support for a wide range of initiatives to improve food security and nutrition in the region.