For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 28, 2004

U.S. Helps Madagascar Save Environment and Create Jobs
Fact of the Day

The United States is continuing its partnership with the people of Madagascar to meet their country's unique environmental challenges. Madagascar's rich biodiversity faces threats from an expanding population and demands for development and economic opportunity. The United States has launched three new initiatives in Madagascar -- one aimed at increasing sustainable agriculture among local populations, another at improving the management of forests, and the third at developing ecotourism. These three programs devote more than $20 million in aid to preserving Madagascar's environment while improving local people's lives.

Source: U.S. Embassy, Madagascar