THE United States Agency for International Development (USAID) will close its mission in Guyana in Fiscal Year 2012.
The announcement, by the U.S. Embassy here, said it is all part of the USAID worldwide strategy, in a tight budgetary environment, to be more efficient in the management of its aid resources. The release noted, however, that the closure does not signal the end of USAID’s relationship with this country, as the U.S. Government, including USAID, will continue to remain involved in working with the Guyanese Government and people to respond to key development challenges.   
The (U.S.) President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), which focuses on reducing HIV transmission, mitigating the impact of the illness and strengthening the public health care system, is one of the programmes being managed by USAID and the Centre for Disease Control (CDC).
The release  said Guyana is a focus country under the PEPFAR and, in partnership with the Ministry of Health, the USAID health programme is focused on prevention, treatment, care and support services for persons living with HIV/AIDS, as well as those orphaned or vulnerable.
The programme also strengthens public health systems and enhances civil society and the private sector response to HIV/AIDS, the release said, adding that its current priorities include prevention programming that ensures safe motherhood, promotes abstinence and faithfulness, as well as targeted approaches for at-risk populations.
The release said Guyana will also continue to participate in and benefit from the U.S. Government’s Regional Citizens Security Programme, the Caribbean Basin Security Initiative (CBSI), which focuses on responding to the causes of crime and violence.
The management of these programmes will be transferred to USAID’s Caribbean Regional Mission in Barbados, to take advantage of efficiencies of scale, the statement said.