Wherever US funding for programmes is cut, we will fill those gaps – Pres Ali

– US Ambassador says application made for waivers for some programmes

President Dr Irfaan Ali has assured that whatever programmes have had their funding cut as a result of changes in United States (US) policy, his People’s Progressive Party/Civic (PPP/C) Government will step in and ensure that those funding gaps are filled.
The Head of State was recently asked about this, in light of the President Donald Trump led Administration’s decision to put a pause on international funding, such as from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), pending a review of their efficacy and benefits to American policy.
“Wherever there are funding gaps that affect our local programmes, the Government will have to look at those gaps. So that is what we’ll be doing, examining wherever there are gaps. We will look at those gaps and we’ll have to find the financing to ensure those programmes continue to benefit the country, especially those programmes that are heavily integrated in our development and specific issues,” President Ali said.

He acknowledged that there are some US funded agriculture programmes which can also be affected and, in turn impact regional food security efforts. President Ali noted that moving forward, a realignment of the budgetary needs for these programmes must be done.
“This is one of the issues that we’ve addressed in the 2030 plan. Where there must be some realignment of budgets. We were in a very upward trajectory. And then Beryl came. And that would have redirected resources meant for agriculture, into emergency responses and rebuilding.”
“So, these challenges are there. Yes, there are many regional programmes, not just in agriculture, that came under the USAID rubric, that I’m sure Governments will be addressing. But all of these must be addressed through budgetary measures by specific countries,” President Ali also said.

Additionally, he was optimistic that these are issues that will be discussed in future dialogue between the region and the US State Department.
It was only in July of last year that USAID, in demonstration of its commitment to the Caribbean, had announced some US$1.45 million in new funding to advance inclusive economic growth and climate adaptation efforts across the region.

Waivers
Meanwhile, during a recent event, US Ambassador to Guyana, Nicole Theriot was also asked about these funding cuts. She clarified that in comparison to a number of other countries, the impact of the funding cuts on Guyana is not as big as some of its peers.
“Guyana is actually classified as a high-income country. So, you didn’t have a lot of different programmes happening here anyway. So, the impact is actually quite minimal. And for the programmes that we want to continue, we currently have waivers submitted,” Theriot explained.
“And we are hoping that those will be approved so we can recommence those programmes. We would love to continue all of our programmes. But what they’ve asked us to do is prioritise the programmes that we would like waivers for.”
Among the programmes that the US embassy is seeking to preserve is the programme for election support to the Guyana Elections Commission (GECOM).
However, funding for projects like those in agriculture, where the US has been helping Guyana develop value added crops for export, may not be able to continue.