On April 2, 1957, the United States and Morocco signed an agreement which commemorated the beginning of U.S. economic assistance to Morocco. Since then, USAID investments in water and irrigation contributed to the construction of the Mohammed V and Mechra Homadi dams, transforming thousands of hectares of semi-arid wasteland in the Oriental Region into productive use. As the Ministry of Health’s principal partner in family planning, maternal and child health for over 30 years, USAID has supported Morocco in lowering maternal mortality rates and improving child survival. Investments in microfinance and urban planning resulted in access to credit for thousands of entrepreneurs and infrastructure improvements to urban neighborhoods in Northern Morocco that modernized communities while maintaining the traditional social fabric.