U.S. Department of State

In Brussels, International Community Solidifies Commitment to Mali’s Recovery

Women Sell Cloth at the Grand Market in Bamako, Mali

Representatives from more than 80 countries met in Brussels on May 15 to pledge their support for Mali, which is recovering from political upheaval and the occupation of its northern territory by rebels and terrorist groups.

Nancy Lindborg, USAID’s Assistant Administrator for the Bureau of Democracy, Conflict, and Humanitarian Assistance, and I announced an additional $32 million in new U.S. humanitarian assistance to support Malians affected by the crisis. MORE

Improving Hygiene for Displaced Syrians

Displaced Syrian women are seen in front of their tent in the Azaz camp for displaced people, north of Aleppo province, Syria, Feb. 21, 2013. [AP Photo]

About the Author: Rebecca Gustafson serves on USAID’s Syria Response Management Team.

Basic personal hygiene is critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease among displaced Syrians.

After nearly two years of ongoing brutal conflict, more than 4 million people in Syria are in need of humanitarian assistance, including some 2.5 million who are displaced from their homes.

In Atmeh’s Olive Tree Camp, near the Reyhanli border crossing in Turkey’s Hatay Province, many of the residents left their homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.

Good basic personal hygiene and hand washing are critical to help prevent the spread of illness and disease, and providing basic hygiene supplies and education was identified as a priority… more »