Russia
Conditions of Confinement
Today I was pleased to meet with the delegation of the Russian human rights activists who traveled to Washington, DC as a part of USAID Conditions of Confinement project. Deputy Secretary of State Bill Burns and Deputy Administrator Don Steinberg met with this group as well.
Left to right: DAA Hale, DAS Melia, Ludmila Alpern, Tatyana Govorukhina, Nina Tagankina, Viktoria Sergeeva, Alexander Nazarova, Andrey Babushkin, Deputy Secretary Burns, Maria Kannabikh, Pavel Chikov, Valentin Gefter, DA Steinberg, AA Alexander. Photo: Mark Stewart, U.S. Department of State
The conditions in Russian prisons drew international scrutiny after the death of Sergey Magnitsky several years ago. Sergey Magnitsky, a 37year-old Russian attorney who was arrested after alleging wide-scale tax fraud against police and tax authorities,was denied medical treatment for a severe illness that he developed while spending almost a year in a pre-trial detention facility in Moscow. Magnitsky died just days before the one year limit that he could be held without trial would expire, serving a total of 358 days in prison. This tragedy galvanized the attention of the human rights community in both Russia and abroad. However, there are likely many more individuals facing similar mistreatment and abuse who need help. Human rights advocates like the ones I met today work tirelessly with the Government of Russia to prevent similar tragedies from happening again and help people in need.
At USAID, we believe that our assistance is most effective when and where the need is most pressing, where the political will is present and determined individuals are in place who will work hard to make real changes. The Conditions of Confinement project is a good example of a well-targeted activity, poised to yield positive results.
U.S. and Russia Explore Cooperation on the Global Fight against Malaria
Last week, I travelled to Russia with Dr. Bernard Nahlen, the Deputy Coordinator of the President’s Malaria Initiative. We had very productive talks with the Russian Ministry of Health and Social Development and the Martinovsky Institute of Medical Parasitology and Tropical Medicine. We discussed potential U.S. – Russian cooperation in the global fight against malaria. USAID has started to work with Russia to address global development challenges around the world. Last year, we agreed to work together to help eradicate polio. We are now exploring how we could cooperate to control malaria in Africa and the Asia Pacific to save children, improve maternal health, improve maternal health, reduce suffering, and promote economic development.
E & E Deputy Administrator Jonathan Hale, PMI Deputy Coordinator Dr. Bernard Nahlen, and USAID Russia Health Officer Bill Slater meet with Russian Ministry of Health and Martinovsky Institute for talks on U.S. – Russian malaria cooperation. Photo: USAID
In talks with Russian officials, we discussed collaborating on training and capacity building, evaluation, operational research, advocacy and resource mobilization in support of national malaria control plans in third countries. We are exploring joint participation or co-leadership in international and national forums such as the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Roll Back Malaria Initiative and regional or global health meetings. The Russians are particularly interested in ending preventable child deaths from malaria and reducing the burden of malaria during pregnancy. The talks were fruitful and we should see progress on this cooperation very soon.
Partnering with Russia and Kyrgyzstan to Help Disabled Children
Disabled children perform a song at the wheelchair handover ceremony. Credit: Bektur Sakiev/U.S. Embassy
The wheelchair project was started by former Kyrgyz President Rosa Otunbayeva at a meeting with the Russian Envoy to the Kyrgyz Republic and the Russian and U.S. ambassadors in the summer of 2010. The Frank Foundation Child Assistance International, an American non-governmental organization, received funding from USAID to procure 90 wheelchairs. Two Russian private companies, Polyus Gold and Russneft, provided funding for an additional 90 wheelchairs. The Russian government covered costs for air shipment between New York, Moscow, and Bishkek, and the Kyrgyz government arranged free customs clearance and covered some transportation costs. Special Envoy of the Russian Federation President to the Kyrgyz Republic Vladimir Rushailo played a leading role on the Russian side, leveraging private sector donations as well as organizing the shipment of the wheelchairs.
The day presented a unique opportunity to showcase U.S.-Russian cooperation in Kyrgyzstan. Former Kyrgyz President Otunbayeva, Special Envoy Rushailo, and U.S. Ambassador Pamela Spratlen stood together to present the 180 wheelchairs to disabled children. The Russian Ambassador, USAID/Russia Mission Director Charles North, and USAID/Kyrgyzstan representative Carey Gordon also participated.
“A lot of people think these two countries argue. I would say that here in Kyrgyzstan a lot of things are done together by these two countries. Look at this wheelchair project! The two countries united and a good deed was done,” said President Otunbayeva.
Public-Private Partnerships Week: New Cisco Alliance Kicks off Partnership Week
On behalf of USAID, Assistant Administrator Paige Alexander, left, signs capstone agreement with Mikhail Pakhomov of CISCO, far right. USAID’s Russia Mission Director, Charles North, is in the center. Photo by Stefan Mizha, US Embassy, Moscow.
Last week was a busy one for me in Moscow. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I attended international forums dedicated to Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6, speaking on a panel about HIV/AIDS. On Wednesday I met with USAID/Russia program implementers and other stakeholders. And on Thursday, I had the pleasure of addressing over a hundred people at Spaso House, the gorgeous residence of the U.S. Ambassador in Moscow, on the subject of USAID’s worldwide partnerships.
The event, a conference to celebrate eight years of USAID/Russia’s public-private partnerships, gathered together many of the private companies and NGOs which have partnered with USAID since 2003. It was an opportunity for the partners to exchange ideas and experience, and a chance for me to hear first-hand about the important work they’ve done in areas like maternal and child health, youth entrepreneurship, and anti-money laundering. And I was pleased to sign a capstone agreement with networking giant Cisco, a company with a shared interest in the social and economic development of Russia. This memorandum of cooperation will support workforce development in the area of IT, and will advance the use of information communication technology (ICT) by civil society, the government, and the public. Under the new agreement, joint projects could receive up to $50 million in funding and in-kind contributions (USAID’s investment will be leveraged 1 to 4).
This partnership builds on a strong history of public and private sector alliances in Russia and throughout the Europe and Eurasia region. One of the Agency’s very first Global Development Alliances (GDAs) was in the Balkans and aimed to support civil society and government accountability as a root of long term stability. With nearly 40 alliances over the past eight years, totaling $122 million at a ratio of about $5 for every $1 invested by USAID, USAID/Russia is truly an Agency leader in GDAs.
USAID has recognized the power of joining civil society and technology through projects across sectors like this interactive map where citizens can report elections abuses or Text4Baby which Dr. Jill Biden launched here earlier this year to improve maternal and child health by sharing information via SMS. The agreement with Cisco will allow us to capitalize on widespread access to technology in Russia to improve lives and livelihoods of Russians, economic stability, and government transparency across Russia.
Our Common Fight – TB in Eastern Europe and Eurasia
By: Jonathan Hale, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe and Eurasia
Several weeks ago, I visited the Central Tuberculosis Research Institute (CTRI) of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow. It plays a central role in Russia’s battle with tuberculosis (TB) as the country’s top TB treatment hospital, research center, and medical training facility. Russians with the most difficult multi-drug resistant (MDR) – TB and extensively drug-resistant (XDR) -TB are treated there. I was struck by the determination of the Russian doctors in the face of the continued threat of MDR-TB and XDR-TB and I am glad that USAID counts them as partners in our common fight.
As we commemorate World Tuberculosis Day on March 24, it is important for all of us to recognize that Eastern Europe and Eurasia continue to have the highest rates of MDR-TB and XDR-TB infections in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 12 countries have reported proportions of MDR-TB of 6% or more among new TB cases: all of these countries are in Eastern Europe and Eurasia. Five countries report MDR-TB proportions of 50% or more among previously treated cases: all of these countries are also in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The WHO estimates that in Russia, 42.4% of previously treated TB cases are MDR-TB; in Azerbaijan, 55.8%; in Georgia, 27.4%; and in Ukraine, 44.3%.
A TB patient receives care at the Central Tuberculosis Research Institute of the Russian Academy of Medical Sciences in Moscow, an institute dedicated to treating Russians with MDR and XDR-TB. Photo Credit: David Grout/ USAID
In our interconnected planet where people constantly cross borders and millions of people fly every day, not only are U.S. citizens travelling abroad vulnerable to MDR and XDR-TB, but Americans from Georgia to Maine could face this threat at home. Therefore, we have a national security interest in stopping TB around the world and we need the grit of those dogged Russian doctors I met in Moscow.
Tuberculosis is curable but potentially deadly. It is spread through the air and is second only to HIV among infectious killers worldwide. Tuberculosis exacts an enormous personal and economic toll, often striking people in their most economically productive years. MDR-TB and XDR-TB are major risks to effective TB control. MDR-TB is resistant to the two most important first-line drugs used in the treatment of TB. XDR-TB is resistant to additional drugs. The usual six-month treatment with first-line TB drugs is not effective for MDR-TB and XDR-TB. The treatment for MDR-TB and XDR-TB is more expensive, less effective, with greater side effects, and it requires two years to complete—if that form of TB is treatable at all.
MDR-TB and XDR-TB arise due to a number of controllable factors, such as high patient treatment default rates, late diagnosis, irregular treatment, easy access to first and second line drugs in private sector pharmacies without prescription, and, in some cases, population displacement due to unrest. Therefore, it is possible to prevent and control MDR-TB and XDR-TB.
USAID missions through the Eastern Europe and Central Asian regions are working with host countries to combat MDR-TB and XDR-TB. There is hope. For example, USAID in Georgia supported the National TB Program and provided technical assistance to create DOTS spots—special TB outpatient centers located inside of the general urban outpatient clinics. As a result, in the capital city of Tbilisi, the clinics reduced treatment defaults from 23% in 2003 to 9% in 2008. With lowered treatment default rates, the risk of MDR and XDR-TB are lessened. With USAID-supported technical and financial assistance, MDR-TB reported cases decreased in the Balkans from 14.4% in 1996 to less than 9% in 2003. In Ukraine, USAID assisted implementation of laboratory quality control procedures in 8 regions, resulting in 92% of USAID-supported laboratories demonstrating high proficiency in laboratory-based TB diagnosis. These successes show that USAID support is yielding results and helping to control MDR and XDR-TB.
USAID is helping to save thousands of lives and showing the goodwill of the American people. Together with the people of Europe and Eurasia, we must continue to fight MDR and XDR-TB for their sake and our own national interest. Let us not lose focus, take decisive action and curb the spread of MDR-TB and XDR-TB. It is the right thing to do morally, economically, and for our national security.
Putting Science in the Spotlight
by Jonathan Hale, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia
Dr. Holdren discussing science and innovation with students at Bauman State University, March 3, 2011 (photograph courtesy US Embassy, Moscow)
Last week I travelled to Moscow to take part in meetings on science cooperation with Dr. John Holdren, who is Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. Dr. Holdren and Russian Minister of Education and Science Andrei Fursenko lead the Science and Technology Working Group of the U.S. – Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission. I represented USAID at the Working Group meetings here in Russia.
During the Cold War, both the United States and Russia focused on science for defense purposes and to create weapons. In the 21st Century, why can’t we cooperate to find science-based solutions to global challenges like hunger, poverty, global infectious diseases, and climate change? The Obama administration believes we must and Dr. Holdren and I brought that message to Russia. We want to explore science cooperation to improve the human condition and to promote development. As President Obama has said, science must have its “rightful place” and as USAID Administrator Shah has made clear science and innovation must be at the center of development. We found an interested and receptive audience in Moscow.
In addition to meetings with Russian government officials, Dr. Holdren spoke at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, which is often described as Russia’s Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Among its many programs, Bauman University trains scientists and engineers for Russia’s space program. Many Bauman students asked Dr. Holdren how science can be used to better protect the environment and to fight climate change. He told them President Obama wants to invest in science to help create a clean energy future.
Russia is ready to contribute high-tech solutions to global challenges. (photograph courtesy US Embassy, Moscow)
During my trip, I explored how to promote new peer-to-peer collaborations among U.S. scientists and research universities focused on seeking science-based solutions to development challenges such as global climate change. We want to find new clean energy solutions that can benefit not only the United States and Russia, but also developing countries. We want to promote breakthroughs that can lead to wider deployment of affordable clean energy technology in rural and rapidly urbanizing areas and spur a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.
One possible avenue could be to create an international prize aimed at inspiring progress toward a scientific or technological goal of importance to both countries. Prizes can drive innovation and creativity and leverage resources efficiently. They have a long record of success from the Orteig Prize that led to Charles Lindbergh’s non-stop flight across the Atlantic Ocean to the Ansari X Prize, which led to the first non-governmental launch of a reusable manned spacecraft into space and back. It’s clear from my trip that the enormous shared scientific potential of the U.S. and Russia could easily bring our two nations closer together in the months and years ahead.
U.S. and Russia Further Cooperation In The Fight Against Polio
Submitted by Jonathan Hale, Deputy Assistant Administrator for Europe & Eurasia
While in Moscow last summer, I visited the M.P. Chumakov Institute of Poliomyelitis and saw the history of collaboration between the U.S. and Russia on polio research. I saw opportunity to advance our cooperation to address new challenges and work with Russian experts to eradicate polio for good enabled by the Obama Administration ‘reset’ policy and the U.S.-Russia Bilateral Presidential Commission.
Today, USAID Administrator Raj Shah joined Dr. Nils Daulaire, Director of the Office of Global Health Affairs at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, and Dr. Veronika Skvortsova, Deputy Minister of Health and Social Development for the Russian Federation, in signing a Protocol of Intent that will deepen cooperation between American and Russian health experts to eradicate polio around the globe.
US Ambassador to the United Nations Betty King, HHS Director of Global Health Affairs Nils Daulaire,USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah, and Russian Deputy Minister of Health Veronika Skvortsova
It’s fitting that Administrator Shah signed this Protocol while visiting Geneva to serve on the World Health Organization’s Commission on Information and Accountability for Women and Children’s Health. Polio is a highly infectious disease that mainly affects children under the age of five. One in 200 infections leads to paralysis and among those paralyzed, 5-10% die. Polio is easily preventable with available vaccines, as evidenced by the success of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative to reduce polio by 99% worldwide since the Initiative started in 1988. However, recent years have seen outbreaks in several countries.
It pains me to think of the children that unnecessarily suffer from a disease that can be prevented for 14 cents. It’s incredible that we’re so close to ridding the world of this disease once and for all. I believe that, working with our international partners, we can finally live in a polio-free world.
I am excited by the impact that we can have on lives around the world working together as global partners.
New Partnership to Support Child Welfare Reform Launched in Russia
Submitted by Jonathan Hale
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Bureau for Europe and Eurasia, USAID
During my recent trip to Russia, I was presented with USAID/Russia’s exciting new child welfare project implemented by a first-time Russian grantee, the National Foundation for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NFPCC). This project, which was officially launched September 9, is very timely, as preventing child abandonment and supporting the development of family-based services for orphans are priorities for the Russian government.
Around 130 people participated last week in the official launch of USAID/Russia’s “Compass for Childhood” project. They included representatives of the Russian government, professional community, leading NGOs in child welfare and journalists writing about child welfare issues. Opened by the Russian government, the event focused on the presentation of the project’s goals and objectives to help Russian regions strengthen the system of care for vulnerable children and families. Although there has been substantial economic growth in Russia over the past decade, there were still over 126,000 children newly registered without parental care in 2009 alone. Although reforms are underway in several regions, there is still much to be done to improve the system of care nationwide and establish services to ensure children get the proper care they need and a family-based environment.
During my visit to Moscow, I was pleased to meet with NFPCC representatives, UNICEF, and representatives from other Embassies to discuss how we can work together with Russian government counterparts and civil society to support this priority area. Although we’ve worked with NFPCC for several years as a sub-grantee, I am thrilled that we’re a part of this new partnership, working directly with a Russian organization. This is a good example of the long-term work we are trying to do in Russia to build the capacity of civil society organizations such as NFPCC.
Resetting for Clean, Efficient Energy in Russia
submitted by Jonathan Hale
I am very excited to sign a Protocol of Intent on energy efficiency cooperation between USAID and the Russian Energy Agency. Russian Minister of Energy Sergei Shmatko and Secretary Chu will witness the signing. The Russian Energy Minister is here to take part in the first-ever Clean Energy Ministerial, which is being hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy.
Working under the protocol, USAID will link U.S. and Russian utilities and regulators to share best practices and to exchange lessons learned about smart grids. I am convinced that bringing people together will accelerate development and deployment of clean energy technology. We really need it to fight climate change!
The USAID protocol is part of a larger effort aimed at fulfilling Presidents Obama and Medvedev’s commitment to jointly promote energy efficiency and clean energy. I am so pleased to be able to get this protocol in place little more than two months after I first met with Russian energy officials in Moscow back in May. I am now headed back to Russia to keep this initiative moving forward.
Read the Press Release here: USAID and Russia Sign Agreement on Energy Efficiency.
Read the Fact Sheet here: U.S.-Russia Sign Agreement of Collaboration on Smart Grid Technology.
U.S.-Russia Cooperation on International Disaster Response
Submitted by Jonathan Hale
The signing in Moscow concluded the annual meeting of the U.S.-Russia Joint Committee for Emergency Management and Disaster Response.
On Friday, May 28th, FEMA Deputy Administrator Timothy Manning and I signed a work plan with the Russian government to expand bilateral cooperation through 2012 on responding to international disasters and humanitarian crises. The signing in Moscow concluded the annual meeting of the U.S.-Russia Joint Committee for Emergency Management and Disaster Response. This committee was formed in 1996 and now serves as one of the working groups under the Bilateral Presidential Commission established by Presidents Obama and Medvedev last year. The U.S. delegation from FEMA, USAID, and the Department of Transportation discussed ways to enhance preparedness and response capabilities for disasters at
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