Page 22 - 國合會2016電子書-英文

West Asia and Africa

Although the economy in West Asia and Africa has reducing maternal and newborn mortality rates. Therefore,
continued to grow, part of the countries still face economic, the TaiwanICDF will continue to direct our efforts over the
social or environmental challenges in their national long-term on strengthening capacity building of health
development due to political instability and social conflicts. personnel to raise public health standards in this region.
In Africa, many countries have achieved stable economic The West Asia region, on the other hand, has been
growth from exploitation of natural resources. However, a constrained by its natural environment; in recent years, these
large portion of the population living in rural areas still relies nations have made serious attempts to improve agricultural
on agriculture, forestry, fishery and livestock for livelihoods. productivity with technology. However, political uncertainty
The quality of agricultural production has yet to be improved has deterred economic development in certain developing
due to inadequate infrastructure and lack of technology countries, where social and environmental problems arising
for small-scale producers. In terms of employment, a from urbanization have also become increasingly serious.
growing youth population and insufficient full-time jobs have The TaiwanICDF’s main partner countries in this region
exacerbated regional vulnerability and problems of informal include Jordan, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Our assistance
employment. For example, although regional unemployment in this region focuses on establishing a sustainable food
rate declined from 57.7 percent in 2005 to 44.4 percent production system and promoting an inclusive and
in 2012, rapid economic growth also brought structural sustainable living environment.
challenges, including widening gaps between the rich and
the poor, urbanization and high unemployment rate.
Currently, the TaiwanICDF has two major partner
countries in the African region, Swaziland and Burkina
Faso. Our main strategy for development is to improve the
competitiveness of rural communities, pushing forward
rural development through a place-based approach. This
includes increasing production quantity and quality through
education, revitalizing rural economy through promotion of
local industries, and fostering the health and well-being of all
age groups. According to the Millennium Development Goals
Report 2015, this region did not attain the health targets of

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