USAID Sums Up Outcomes of Its Activities in Russia Before Closure

WASHINGTON. Sept 19 (Interfax) – The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) has provided financial support in drafting the Russian Constitution and a number of federal codes over the 20 years of its work in Russia, USAID said in a statement posted on its website.

“USAID-funded Rule of Law implementers helped draft the Russian Constitution, Part I of the Russian Civil Code, and the Russian Tax Code,” the statement says.

“USAID assistance led directly to the adoption of the 2001 Land Code which provided the right to buy, sell, and own urban and rural land in Russia,” it said.

“Over the past two decades, USAID has provided assistance that has helped the Russian people improve public health and combat infectious diseases, protect the environment, develop a stronger civil society, and modernize their economy,” says USAID, which will have to close its Moscow office starting October 1 at the Russian authorities’ decision.

“By 2012, the majority of USAID’s engagement revolved around the promotion of an open and innovative society in Russia and a strengthened partnership between the U.S. and Russia,” it said.

In summing up outcomes of its activities in Russia, USAID pointed out that, since 2001, “the Government of Russia and the World Bank collaborated to implement two multi-billion-dollar judicial reform programs.”

“Over 5,000 Russian and U.S. judicial officials have taken part in exchanges and events resulting in strong partnerships between Russian judicial bodies and U.S. counterparts,” it said.

As concerns the development of a market economy system in Russia, USAID mentioned the establishment of the U.S. Russia Investment Fund (TUSRIF) in 1995 with a grant of $329 million from the U.S. government. “Through microfinance, USAID supported the development of the small business sector,” it said.

USAID has also supported non-governmental organizations in Russia, it said.

“USAID-supported projects helped introduce internationally recognized approaches in diagnostics and treatment of tuberculosis enabling the national TB program to decrease transmission and improve treatment success rates,” it said.

USAID also helped over 200 Russian NGOs working on HIV/AIDS, it said.

USAID is the U.S. federal government agency primarily responsible for administering civilian foreign aid. In particular, it operates to promote democracy and human rights, healthcare, environmental protection and economic development. It started its activities in Russia in 1992.