USAID Celebrates its 50th Anniversary in Honduras

Tegucigalpa – The National Identity Museum served as stage for the celebration of USAID’s 50th Anniversary in Honduras. Ambassador Lisa Kubiske and Mission Director William Brands hosted the celebration. Attending the event was Honduran Vice President Maria Antonieta Bogran as well as other Honduran Government officials, other donors, diplomats, beneficiaries, former and current employees.

Following the official event, Ambassador Kubiske inaugurated the photo exhibit. The exhibit is a collection of the history of 50 years of alliance between the United States and Honduras. The exhibit will be open to the public from Dec. 9, 2011 to January 23, 2012.

In 1961, President John F. Kennedy created USAID to oversee international development and assistance worldwide. One of President Kennedy’s priorities was to unify existing foreign assistance programs. USAID’s creation served this purpose and also helped give new life and direction to programs around the world. Today, USAID works with partners in government, civil society, and the private sector to help developing countries plan and carry out programs in the areas of agriculture, education, health, democracy, good governance, economic development, and environment.

Since 1961, USAID and its partners have played a fundamental role in making a world a better place by reducing infant mortality, feeding those in need, helping control contagious diseases, improving basic education, strengthening democracy and transparency in the use of public resources, providing humanitarian assistance, and protecting the environment.