The governments of Taiwan and the U.S. are joining forces to help advance educational and social development in Honduras in the post-pandemic era, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Jan. 13.
The decision was announced during an event Jan. 11 in Tegucigalpa by ROC (Taiwan) Amb. to Honduras Vivia Chang; U.S. Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy and Human Rights Uzra Zeya; and U.S. Amb. to Honduras Laura Dogu.
Honduras Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Eduardo Enrique Reina Garcia and Minister of Education Daniel Sponda were also present to witness the special announcement.
According to the MOFA, during the U.S.-Honduras High-Level Strategic Dialogue earlier this month, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the government of Honduras announced the Expanding Access to Education initiative and the establishment of the Alliance for Education to address the educational needs of children and youth in Honduras.
In support of this alliance, the USAID will provide $33 million over three years to refurbish 12,000 schools, thus increasing access to safe and quality basic education for at least 300,000 students.
In an official press release Jan. 11, the USAID said it welcomes donations and participation from other partners, adding that it has already collected US$2 million as well as pledges from key business groups from Taiwan.
Honduras is an important ally of Taiwan, the MOFA said. The government will continue working with like-minded partners to fast track development in the Central American country, it added. (SFC-E)
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