Ms. Mikaela Meredith assumed her position as the new Mission Director for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Azerbaijan, says US Embassy press release.
Prior to being named Mission Director, Ms. Meredith served in three senior leadership roles in Washington, DC. Her 25 year career with USAID included assignments in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe.
USAID assistance to Azerbaijan began in 1991 with humanitarian relief for over 800,000 internally displaced people and refugees affected by the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Programs provided emergency food, clothing, shelter, health services, and job skills training. In 1998, USAID transitioned from providing humanitarian relief to promoting broader economic, social and democratic development. USAID supported programs in such areas as improving water and sanitation, supporting the development of civil society, agriculture, a business enabling environment and World Trade Organization accession; as well as tuberculosis infection control; maternal, neonatal, and child health; and women and children’s nutrition.
Today, USAID continues to assist the people of Azerbaijan through programs that align with Government of Azerbaijan’s objectives under the country’s Vision 2020 plan, by promoting a highly competitive economy and by strengthening the country’s democratic foundations. USAID programs support the development of the non-hydrocarbon sector of Azerbaijan’s economy and the further integration of Azerbaijan’s economy into regional markets. USAID also encourages citizens to collaborate with local government on socio-economic development. In addition, USAID seeks to raise public awareness of issues that affect and empower women by engaging them in decision-making processes and entrepreneurship.
As Mission Director for Azerbaijan, Ms. Meredith will oversee USAID programs in support of Azerbaijan’s priorities. “I look forward to building on the successes of USAID development programs and strengthening ongoing partnerships with government counterparts”, said Ms. Meredith.
Since the 1990s, USAID has provided over $350 million to improve the lives of Azerbaijani people, reads the press-release. -0-
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