SEATTLE — Construction is a great way for developing countries to gain a better economic structure and allow its citizens to live a more comfortable life. Every time the United States builds an embassy in a developing country, it is aiding in its urbanization. Here are some great ways that building U.S. embassies helps developing countries.
Increases in Jobs and Employment Training
Building U.S. embassies helps developing countries by creating many great ways to provide locals with new job opportunities and employment training. Not only does building an embassy bring in construction jobs, which can employ potentially hundreds of people, but upon completion of the building, many training programs are put into place through the embassy itself.
In 2011, the United States Embassy in Zimbabwe started the Women Journalist Mentoring Program, which aids 45 female journalists on their journey to financial success and stability. In 2013, the embassy initiated the Women Journalist Mentoring Program Fellowship, which follows 12 women in rigorous news and media training. This offers a way for women in Zimbabwe to gain skills and experience and provides them with the opportunity to build a resume.
Education
Building U.S. Embassies helps developing countries that are in need of better education and educational facilities. Education is a major part of helping developing countries grow and become a stronger society. When the U.S. constructs an embassy in a new area, educational institutions and programs are also established. International schools are usually somewhere close by, allowing American children to interact with children from other cultures and countries, while providing better educational systems for those struggling to receive decent instruction.
In Brazil, the United States Embassy has established 29 counseling centers to aid Brazilian graduates in applying to colleges in the United States, allowing them the convenience and freedom to travel and explore that they otherwise may not have. In South Africa, the United States Embassy has established grant programs for South Africans to receive aid for different academic arrangements such as research or teaching.
The Secondary Schools Student Program provides South African children with the opportunity to take part in three-week courses in which they have a chance to travel to the United States to participate in different workshops, community service activities or meet with community leaders.
Financial Assistance
When a new U.S. Embassy is established in a poverty-stricken country, often the embassy will provide financial assistance. The Department of State established the Office of the Chief Economist in 2011, which allows United States Embassies to enable economic advancements and resources to establish diplomacy and economic growth.
In 2015, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria added a total of $17 million to help aid in agricultural, economic and developmental assistance. In Lebanon, the U.S. Embassy has incorporated the Local Grants Program, which is set to assist underprivileged communities that are not currently receiving financial aid through other U.S. government programs. Providing financial assistance to impoverished communities helps with the overall growth of the economy and education.
Medical Equipment
Many impoverished countries are lacking in medical care and equipment, which can put citizens at risk of living with harmful diseases. Medical equipment and aid can be life-saving for many people, treating up to millions of poverty-stricken communities. United States Embassies around the world import and donate medical equipment to help aid in the fight against deadly diseases such as AIDS or breast cancer. In May 2017, USAID and the United States Embassy donated HIV/AIDS lab equipment to Sédhiou, Kolda and et Ziguinchor, each of which sees some of the highest percentages of HIV/AIDS infections in Senegal.
In December 2017, the United States Embassy partnered with the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, along with the Central America Regional Security Initiative, to donate five GeneXpert machines, two of which can be mobilized, and two ambulance cars. The GeneXpert machines are meant to aid in testing prisoners for early detection of tuberculosis. In Swaziland, the United States Embassy aided in building an inpatient medical facility in 2015 while providing clean water and donating medical equipment. The facility and program were started to aid soldiers who currently receive home-based and hospice care.
Disaster Relief and Assistance
When a natural disaster strikes, it is devastating for thousands, sometimes millions, of people. Unfortunately, many underprivileged countries are not structured to handle such a terrible catastrophe. Building United States Embassies in countries especially prone to natural disasters can be an extremely helpful way to supply aid to those who may have lost their homes, belongings, jobs or families.
When Hurricane Irma struck Jamaica in 2017, the United States Embassy was easily able to call for extra support and backup to assist those who had been affected by the tragedy. In August 2015, Tropical Storm Erika hit Dominica and was said to have been the deadliest storm to hit the country since 1979. The United States Embassy, along with USAID, stepped in to aid in relief efforts in the areas that were affected most. The U.S. Embassy and USAID provided $50,000 worth of disaster relief equipment.
United States Embassies, although plentiful, are still needed in most underdeveloped countries. Not only does the U.S. Embassy supply educational, medical and financial assets to a country, but when there is an embassy in place, that means more people will be traveling to the country.
This is especially true in countries where the citizens need a better economic structure: the more people in a country means more people will be making use of the goods and services that country has to offer, which in turn creates a growing economic market. Building U.S. Embassies helps developing countries in many different ways, and the U.S. can continue to aid in those countries if the government continues to build and structure embassies where they are needed most.
– Rebecca Lee
Photo: Flickr