By the Caribbean Journal staff

The United States Agency for International Development and the Caribbean Community have signed a $165 million agreement on development assistance support.

CARICOM Secretary General Irwin LaRocque and USAID Eastern and Southern Caribbean Mission Director Christopher Cushing signed the five-year agreements covering the support.

“The United States Government and USAID are pleased to partner with CARICOM in these initiatives which will improve the lives and livelihoods of vulnerable groups including youth and socially marginalized populations. Our success over the years has been possible  largely due to the support of our partners, without whom implementation would not be possible,” said US Ambassador to Guyana Perry Holloway, who witnessed the ceremony. “CARICOM, by virtue of its commitment to improving the economic, social, cultural and technological advancement of Caribbean people remains a beacon in this regard.”

About $89 million of the funding will target the reduction of youth involvement in crime and violence in the region, along with $52 million aimed at achieving “epidemic control” of HIV/AIDS in key populations, according to a CARICOM statement.