On November 15, the Minister of International Cooperation, Beverley J. Oda, met with the African Diplomatic Corps in Ottawa to present an update on Canada's international aid and development work in Africa.
In her speech, the Minister highlighted Canada's commitment to making aid more effective, generating results that are sustainable and that make a difference in the lives of the poor. Canada has also sought to align its assistance with its values of democracy, human rights and the rule of law. In doing this, Canada has looked for projects and programs that fully consult and involve local communities, especially women.
In her speech, the Minister spoke about Africa's tremendous development potential but also noted that Africa's humanitarian needs remain high.
Over the past year, the ongoing conflict in Somalia, rising local food prices, and the worst drought in 60 years have combined to plunge the Horn of Africa into one of the worst humanitarian crises facing the world today.
This year, Canada has provided humanitarian assistance in response to floods in 10 African countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Mozambique and Chad. Canada has responded to humanitarian appeals in 44 African countries.
Canada has responded to meet the humanitarian needs of the millions of people affected by the drought by committing more than $145 million in 2011, including $70.4 million to match the generosity of individual Canadians through the East Africa Drought Relief Fund.
In 2009-2010, 50 percent of CIDA's food assistance went to Africa.
CIDA's food security strategy focuses on smallholder farmers-particularly women farmers, who are responsible for 70 to 80 percent of household food production in Africa. Sixty-one percent of CIDA's agricultural support went to Africa in 2009-2010.
Food security is not only about getting food onto the table; it is about getting the right food-nutritious food-on the table.
Nutrition is one of the most effective and cost-efficient ways of improving health, preventing illness and saving lives. This is why nutrition is an integral part of the Muskoka Initiative to improve the health of mothers, newborns and children under five.
Canada's nutrition efforts focus on improving infant and child feeding practices and providing supplements, vitamins, and minerals, such as iodized salt and vitamin A, to women and children.
Since 1999, Canada has been the lead supporter in the distribution of Vitamin A, which has helped save the lives of an estimated 3 million children under the age of five. When children get enough vitamin A, child mortality rates drop by as much as 23 percent and child blindness is reduced by up to 70 percent.
CIDA's food security strategy also targets research and development, recognizing that we need to build more resilient agricultural systems and ensuring that innovation keeps ahead of future food security challenges.
In 2009, CIDA and the International Development Research Centre launched the five-year, $62-million Canadian International Food Security Research Fund to support partnerships between Canadian and developing country research organizations. Prime Minister Harper has recently announced another $62 million in support for this important fund.
Two competitive calls for proposals have already led to research projects in 17 African countries. For example, a project in Kenya is working to uncover the causes of low agricultural productivity and develop new farm practices that are adapted to dry conditions. A third call for proposals is underway, more than 50 percent of which will be dedicated to African research.
Canada also supports other research activities to support its commitment to food security. For many years, CIDA has funded the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance, which is made up of three regional networks in 28 African countries. This research has given more than 4 million households access to improved seeds, many of which are micronutrient-enriched varieties.
Canada is committed to increasing its bilateral funding to Africa's education sector by 50 percent over 2005-2006 levels and is meeting this commitment. In 2009-2010, 63 percent of CIDA's support for basic education went to Africa.
Working together with African governments and numerous organizations, we have achieved great results in education. In Senegal, enrolment rates in primary schools rose 10 percent in two years, reaching 92.5 percent in 2009. In Tanzania, enrolment in primary schools almost doubled over the last 10 years, reaching 95.4 percent in 2010.
In November 2011, CIDA announced $45 million over the next three years to continue to improve enrolment and the quality of education of children in developing countries.
Canada also remains committed to improving the health of mothers and children. When Canada hosted the G8 Summit last year, we announced a bold initiative to improve maternal, newborn and child health—the Muskoka Initiative. Canada has pledged $1.1 billion in new funding over five years, and 80 percent of this support will go to improving the health of mothers and children in Africa. Sixty-three percent of CIDA's health support went to Africa in 2009-2010.
Canada's third thematic priority is sustainable economic growth. As a continent, Africa has seen economic growth rates of 5 to 7 percent over the past 10 years.
Minister Oda stressed that she believes Africa has the potential to flourish in this decade. To capture this potential, Canada is supporting country initiatives that will help build strong business and industry environments, founded on sound, stable legislation, policies and regulations that will help promote even greater investments and prosperity for all.
Canada is also supporting efforts to improve fiscal management, transparency and accountability in the use of revenues and resources so they can be used to provide necessary basic services to all segments of society. The empowerment of women entrepreneurs is an important part of these efforts.
In her speech, Minister Oda announced further support to Africa. Details on these announcements can be found in the news release and backgrounder available on the CIDA website.
