The agreement was signed by Panama’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Alberto Vallarino, and the director of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), Littleton Tazewell.

Also presentat the signing were Panama’s vice-president and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Juan Carlos Varela, and the US ambassador to Panama, Barbara J Stephenson.

According to the agreement, the US government will help Panama in its “efforts to reduce and prevent crime and violence, as the influence of organized crime and drug trafficking gets stronger.”

Activities will be in areas such as El Chorrillo, Curundu, Santa Ana and San Miguelito in Panama, in the Barrios Norte and Sur in Colon, and in some vulnerable communities in Chiriqui and Darien.

The program, catering to youngsters at risk between 15 and 29 years old, will last three years and will receive $7 millions from the US and $2.2 millions from the Panamanian government.

An interagency action plan will be organized with the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, the Institute of Training for Human Development (Inadeh) and with non-governmental organizations.

During the signing, Ambassador Stephenson said that the United States shares Panama’s worry for the insecurity and delinquency that has grown among youngsters. The US wants to collaborate in strengthening communities.

---

Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites