Ivato Airport, Antananarivo
July 27, 2021
Good afternoon.
My name is Amy Hyatt and I’m Chargé to the Republic of Madagascar and the Union of the Comoros.
I am delighted to be here today and honored that one of my first acts as Chargé is to welcome the arrival of over 302,000 doses of Johnson & Johnson’s COVID-19 vaccine, donated from the U.S. Government to the people of Madagascar.
Tens of thousands of people in Madagascar have been infected with COVID-19 and even more are suffering from the economic effects of this pandemic.
Providing these vaccines will not only help protect the Malagasy people from COVID-19, but also begin reducing barriers to building back the Malagasy economy.
This donation is just one example of the strength of our partnership with the Government of Madagascar and our commitment to the Malagasy people.
Throughout the pandemic, the United States has worked closely, like Mpirahalahy Mianala, with the Government of Madagascar to protect public health.
We provided $2.5 million in emergency funding to support the Government’s COVID-19 response, supported the delivery and rollout of vaccines, and contributed $5 million to the Tosika Fameno cash transfer program that ensured vulnerable families in the most affected cities had enough to eat.
We will continue to do all we can to build a world that is safer and more secure against the threat of infectious disease.
As President Biden has said, “The United States is committed to bringing the same urgency to international vaccination efforts that we have demonstrated at home.”
I am especially grateful for the generosity of the American people who made today’s donation possible.
Thank you.