We will target our assistance to investing in the future of the African people. As we assist this new Africa, we cannot underestimate the continuing challenges. Ethnic conflict, fragile democracies, diseases such as malaria and AIDS, and serious environmental problems remain throughout much of Africa. Today is World Health Day. This year, World Health day is dedicated to the goal of making motherhood safer around the world.
African mothers face serious challenges.
Their chance of dying in pregnancy is 70 times as great as it is in Europe or the United States. Hundreds of thousands of African women pay the ultimate price each year for the lack of even the most rudimentary health and family planning services. Sustaining economic growth in Africa will remain an overwhelming challenge if Africa s literacy rates remain around 50 percent, as compared, for example, to 84 percent in Latin America. All of these challenges demonstrate why a coherent overall approach is essential and why development assistance still has a vital role to play in alleviating poverty and spurring economic growth. Equally important have been the broad donor efforts to bolster regional integration.