USAID’s Regional HIV/AIDS Program (RHAP) works with PEPFAR teams in ten Sub-Saharan African countries to help workers, mothers, children and community locals to deal with the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic

Global Health

USAID programs help fight the high rate of HIV infection in Botswana from several angles. We provide technical assistance to the Ministry of Health and civil society organizations in order to improve health services throughout the country, especially for key populations affected by the epidemic. We also work to ensure that crucial supplies such as anti-retroviral medications and HIV test kits are available where they are needed.

A hallmark of USAID’s programs in Botswana is direct community engagement. Although the HIV epidemic is a national problem, it does not affect everyone equally. Recognizing this, many of USAID’s programs in the country provide specialized assistance to particular groups within Botswana. We work to improve HIV prevention services for those with the highest risk of infection. We provide counseling to those infected with HIV and AIDS and help them maintain their complicated medication schedules. USAID also supports those who are not necessarily infected with HIV but suffer from its effects, including orphans and vulnerable women and children.

Through the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, USAID is building partnerships to create programs that bring together prevention, care, and treatment. USAID also funds treatment of tuberculosis, which is particularly dangerous for those infected with HIV. In Botswana, over eight thousand people develop TB every year, and it is responsible for over forty percent of deaths in the HIV-positive population.

Economic Growth and Trade

USAID manages a Development Credit Authority (DCA) in Botswana with Barclays Bank. The goal of the five-year DCA is to provide access to credit for SMEs and entrepreneurs to help Botswana diversify its economy and create jobs. 

USAID/Southern Africa’s regional program also manages the Southern Africa Trade and Investment Hub, which implements program activities in Botswana.  USAID encourages private enterprise in Botswana to take advantage of the African Growth and Opportunity Act, which can help expand opportunities for manufacturers and workers in multiple industries. https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regional/economic-growth-and-trade

Environment

USAID helps conserve, maintain, and restore the forests of Botswana by supporting Forest Conservation Botswana (FCB) through the Transfrontier Conservation Area (TFCA). Forest Conservation Botswana is joint program with the Government of Botswana that provides grants to local NGOs to work on environment conservation and policy issues that support forest conservation.

USAID’s involvement resulted in a doubling of the number of new grants approved over 2015, and the launch of FCB's largest program to date: an environmental assessment and management plan to open up the 400,000 hectare Chobe/Kasane forest reserves for sustainable eco-tourism.

In addition, USAID/Southern Africa’s regional program supports positive environmental practices in Botswana. For more information, visit: https://www.usaid.gov/southern-africa-regional/environment