USAID, DP World and Republic of Djibouti announce GDA to develop critical health infrastructure along Djibouti-Ethiopia transport corridor

The signing took place at the Djiboutian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and was attended by the Djiboutian Minister of Cooperation, M. Ahmed Ali Silay, the U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, James C. Swan, the USAID Resident Representative, Stephanie Funk, officials from DP World, including Joost Kruijning, Managing Director and SVP for the Africa Region and Ms. Dorothy Muroki Director of Projects from FHI.

As part of the agreement, DP World, the fourth largest global marine terminal operator, will finance and manage the construction of a 126-square meter (1600 square foot) "SafeTStop" facility that includes a clinic with private examination rooms, a recreational center, and a training room equipped with Internet access. The facility will replace the current SafeTStop at PK 12, a community of 25,000 people close to DP World's new container terminal at Doraleh, while the current SafeTStop will be transferred to the town of Dikhil, towards the Ethiopia-Djibouti border.

USAID and FHI in turn have committed to staff and run the centers under the ROADS II (Roads to a Healthy Future) initiative, which currently provides HIV/AIDS and malaria treatment and awareness along principal road corridors in nine African countries. USAID, FHI and the Government of Djibouti will be responsible for the center's day-to-day operation, and all parties will collaborate on needs assessment and programs to address health, safety and educational needs of those working and living along the Corridor. The GDA partners are actively looking at ways to expand the alliance to other African countries with major port facilities.

DP World has signed a letter of intent (LOI) with Locrete, a manufacturer of seismic-safe, pre-stressed concrete structures, to assist with the construction of the PK12 facility Locrete has donated 15% of the project cost.

Mohammed Sharaf, Chief Executive Officer of DP World, Said: "This Global Development Alliance will immediately benefit thousands of people in the Djiboutian and Ethiopian transport sector, their families and members of surrounding communities.

"The program is part of DP World's wider commitment to development of the communities in which we operate. Our aim here is to further expand the benefits of major infrastructure projects to the urban and rural poor, and in so doing help contribute to balanced growth. We are proud to join forces with USAID, FHI, and the Government of Djibouti to make this possible."

His Excellency Abdallah Abdillahi Miguil, Djibouti Minister of Health, said: "More than 800 trucks a day transit along the Djibouti Ethiopia transport corridor. This partnership will strengthen our ability to improve health care and address HIV/AIDS along this heavily travelled road."

U.S. Ambassador to Djibouti, James C. Swan, thanked DP World and the Government of Djibouti for collaborating with USAID and FHI on this important multilateral partnership, the first of its kind in the Horn of Africa.