By Tenzin Dharpo
DHARAMSHALA, Oct 3: The USAID (United States Agency for International Development) has sanctioned a grant of whopping 23 million US Dollars for the exile Tibetan government, known officially as the Central Tibetan Administration for the next five years (Oct. 2016 – Sept. 2021), the Tibetan PM obsang Sangay announced at a press conference here today.
The grant will be predominantly be appropriated towards bolstering “self-reliance and resilience” of Tibetans in South Asia by facilitating them to “thrive economically, become effective leaders; and maintaining the vitality of Tibetan communities and institutions while sustaining their unique identity and culture,” the Kashag (cabinet) mentioned in a statement.
The venture will focus on programs such as leadership development, institutional capacity building including human resource development and integrated development of Tibetan settlements. Building recreational facilities such as play grounds and public library with internet (WiFi) and community centers that will also serve as exhibition and sale points for handicrafts made by local Tibetans, have also been included in the tentative plan.
The Tibetan PM expressed gratitude to the United States government and all the other donors of the CTA. He further said that the assessment period before the implementation of the programs will require grass-root participation from the Tibetan people to make it a success. The Kashag added, “The programs will maximize local participation and ownership of the development process and a crosscutting gender component will incorporate women’s perspective and participation in the design and implementation of all sustainable livelihoods strategies.”
The venture will be partnered with Tibet Fund, the New York based NGO that has been working with the exile government on various fronts such as education, health and community development, among others.
Other USAID developmental assistance to CTA includes financial support for the revised medical insurance scheme ‘Tibetan Medicare System’ launched earlier this year. Additionally, the United States lawmakers have pledged a provision of 6 million USD in their 2016 budget for Tibetans in India and Nepal under the title ‘economic support fund’.
