USAID to shift up to $6B from annual budget to local institutions – Rajiv Shah says that “one of the big failings in food security has been a lack of effective partnerships with the private sector,” and he aims to expand “public-private partnerships to lift people out of poverty and ensure food security.” Such partnerships can transform infrastructure, and USAID plans to shift between $4 billion and $6 billion from its annual budget to local institutions to strengthen partnerships with the private sector and governments. (Devex, Jenny Lei Ravelo)
Four African leaders to join food security talks at G8 summit – President Obama has invited four African leaders to join discussions about food security in Africa at the G8 summit at Camp David. Presidents Yayi Boni of Benin, John Mills of Ghana, Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, and Prime Minister Meles Zenawi of Ethiopia will all attend the summit. Valerie Amos, the U.N. aid chief, explained that “the food and nutrition insecurity threatens the fragile development the region has made.” (CNN, Faith Karimi)
AIDS Funding Boosts Overall Healthcare – A recent study led by Dr. Donald Shepard of Brandeis University aimed to determine whether the amount of funding spent on the battle against HIV/AIDS “has taken away attention [and resources] . . . from other killer diseases.” Conducted in Rwanda, the study showed that “Rwanda’s progress against HIV/AIDS has not come at the expense of addressing other health needs,” as the Global Fund and PEPFAR have made a conscious effort “of integrating AIDS services into its healthcare system.” (VOA, Joe DeCapua)
Opinion: ‘African women need a hand-up not a hand-out’ – Caroline Mukoto, a radio host in Nairobi, Kenya, highlights the need for education, economic empowerment, access to health care, exposure to role models, and hope in order to improve the lives of African women and expand the opportunities available to them. (CNN, Caroline, Mutoko)
