Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA)
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| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | September 14, 2011 |
| Headquarters |
Ministry of Foreign Affairs Building, Azerbaijan, Baku |
| Website | http://aida.az |
Azerbaijan International Development Agency (AIDA) was established in September 2011 under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. AIDA is a responsible organ for provision of international humanitarian and development assistance by the Republic of Azerbaijan and coordinates activities of relevant state agencies in this field. AIDA's annual budget is formed by relevant allocations from the state budget. AIDA's activities are structured in line and concurrent with the foreign policy of Azerbaijan. The Agency is managed by the Director appointed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs. AIDA's employees are the employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan. AIDA provides humanitarian and technical assistance to the countries of Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Humanitarian Assistance
AIDA’s main objective in providing humanitarian assistance is to ensure that its aid to the people in need is timely and efficient, and that it improves lives of those people. AIDA provides necessary aid to the countries hit by man-made or natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, droughts, and helps the affected population to eliminate the effects of humanitarian crises and to restore normal living conditions.
Gaza
In response to the United Nations Security Council statement of November 21, 2012 on situation in Gaza,[1] which stressed the urgency of suspension of clashes and prevention of sharp deterioration in humanitarian situation by calling upon international community to assist in restoration of peaceful life and to provide humanitarian aid in order to relieve hard living conditions of Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip and to satisfy their vital needs, Azerbaijan through its AIDA agency provided direct financial aid to the population of the Gaza Strip.[2]
Syrian refugees
In 2012, AIDA provided direct financial aid to improve living conditions of Syrian refugees, who were forced to leave their homes and found refuge in Amman, Jordan.
Cuba
In 2012, AIDA provided financial aid to Cuba to eliminate the consequences of the hurricane Sandy.
Burkina Faso
In 2011-2012, in connection with the humanitarian crisis occurred in Burkina Faso as a result of draught, AIDA provided financial aid to Burkina Faso in order to remove food shortage and relieve associated crisis in this country after the respective appeal by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation.
"Fight avoidable blindness" campaign
In 2013, within the frame of strategic cooperation with the Islamic Development Bank, AIDA is co-sponsoring the campaign on "Fight avoidable blindness" in the African countries which are members of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. Azerbaijani ophthalmologists participate in the campaign under the initiative of AIDA. The campaign was successful in Burkina Faso,[3] Chad[4] and Libya,[5] and free eye cataract operations were performed in these countries. In total, more than 1450 people having partially or completely lost their eyesight re-gained their health. In 2013, the campaign is planned to be carried out in 9 African countries such as Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Cameroon, Djibouti, Guinea, Mali, Libya and Niger.
Development Assistance
Main objective of AIDA in development assistance is to provide technical assistance to developing countries around the world and to support their sustainable growth in various fields. AIDA offers scholarship programmes for students from developing countries to study in Azerbaijan. The Agency organizes capacity-building courses and workshops in Azerbaijan for specialists from many countries in order to facilitate development of their human capital.
Electronic Government Project in Afghanistan
In close cooperation with UNDP, AIDA assists Afghanistan in building E-government system and increasing efficiency of activities of governmental agencies in this country within the project of Strengthening Capacity of State Institutions in Afghanistan.[6][7][8]
Scholarship programme for foreign students
AIDA, within the scholarship programme for foreign students, attracts students from developing countries to pursue their education at the universities in the Republic of Azerbaijan, and meets all their relevant expenses. The programme is expected to be extended and broadened in the future.
Guest Researchers Exchange Programme
AIDA, within the joint programme carried out with Think Tanks in Azerbaijan, provides opportunities for researchers specializing in Azerbaijan and the Caspian Sea region to conduct their research on the ground. In 2012 and 2013, within this programme the researchers from Italy, Czech Republic, Romania, China and Pakistan visited Azerbaijan and carried out researches in different fields.
Professional development courses and workshops
AIDA, together with Azerbaijan's universities, scientific and research institutes arranges capacity-building courses and workshops in various areas for specialists from developing countries to facilitate growth of human capital in those countries.[9]
References
- ↑ http://www.un.org/News/Press/docs/2012/sc10829.doc.htm
- ↑ http://mfa.gov.az/?language=az&options=content&id=725
- ↑ http://mfa.gov.az/?options=content&id=667
- ↑ http://mfa.gov.az/?options=content&id=724
- ↑ http://mfa.gov.az/?language=az&options=content&id=734
- ↑ http://en.apa.az/news_azerbaijan_provides_financial_aid_to_afg_185995.html
- ↑ http://www.financetime.info/english/news/news-view.php?id=2959
- ↑ http://www.topnews.az/en/news/34241/Azerbaijan-to-render-financial-assistance-to-Afghanistan.html
- ↑ http://mfa.gov.az/?language=az&options=content&id=664
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