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Dear USAID friends,
Did you watch President Obama’s State of the Union address last week? Did your eyes light up as much as ours when the president highlighted our continuing work to fight climate change, stop the spread of Ebola and bring an end to malaria, as well as the importance of development work in solving world challenges?
Here's what the president said: “When we help African countries feed their people and care for the sick, that prevents the next pandemic from reaching our shores. Right now, we are on track to end the scourge of HIV/AIDS, and we have the capacity to accomplish the same thing with malaria.”
Obama also said that the United States strives to lead by example. At USAID, we are lifting people around the world out of poverty and supporting opportunities for growth that also promote peace, democracy, and shared prosperity.
This month's highlighted stories present how foreign aid and assistance is empowering people to be positive agents of change — from a Nepalese human trafficking survivor to a Colombian trans activist fighting for LGBT rights, and even a Syrian who is keeping refugee children in school. We're proud to be involved in work that presents pictures of hope, optimism and progress.
But, there is also growing instability in our world. Which is why we will continue to lead by “rallying the world behind causes that are right,” as Obama encouraged us to do last week. In the months ahead you’ll hear a lot more about USAID’s efforts to build democratic and resilient communities that can weather a dynamic world.
Sincerely,
USAID
P.S. Did you see our State of the Union Address pictograms? We hope you'll share them far and wide. |
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Highlights
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From Nepal, a story of a trafficking survivor
What is it like to be trafficked to a foreign country and forced into prostitution? Just ask Charimaya Tamang. She survived trafficking and now advocates for other survivors. Read her story in commemoration of National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. |
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Have you visited the storytelling hub lately?
After a busy fall on the ground collecting stories, we recently published a flurry of new photo and video stories. From a Colombian activist fighting for trans rights to a Palestinian woman who’s thankful for food aid, we think you'll enjoy these new stories. |
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New Humanity Acts video stories
With winter fast approaching, millions of Syrians need our help to keep their families warm, fed and healthy. See the impact of USAID and partner humanitarian work in these two videos: “Smallest Shoulders” and “We Thank God We Are Together”. Learn more about the Humanity Acts campaign here. |
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An end to malaria? Obama says "Yes We Can"
In President Obama’s final State of the Union address, he called for an end to malaria, a disease that kills a child every minute. 2015 marked a decade of U.S. leadership in the global fight against malaria through the U.S. President’s Malaria Initiative. An end to the disease could be on the horizon. Learn more about our work and meet a malaria hunter from Tanzania. |
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5 Exposure photo stories to see now
Like USAID photo stories? Subscribe to Exposure blog email updates for new stories and be sure to “love” your favorite essays. |
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Talking about TB
Although tuberculosis may seem like a disease of the past, it continues to be deadly and infectious. Nearly 4,000 people die of the disease each day. The White House and USAID are continuing to curb the disease through a national action plan. Meet the feline mascot who’s cheering on children battling TB. |
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Power Africa comes to D.C.
It may be chilly in Washington, D.C., but buzz about this month’s Powering Africa Conference is heating things up. Since 2012, Power Africa has made more than $2 billion in power, trade and infrastructure investments across Africa. As stakeholders come together to discuss next steps, learn more about the project’s impact here and follow the conversation on Twitter with #PowerAfrica. |
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