ADRA Canada is pleased to announce the signing of its most recent co-funding contribution agreement with the Canadian Government, through Global Affairs Canada. Named EMBRACE, the program will run until March, 2020 and serve people living in remote regions of Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar), Philippines and Rwanda and will focus primarily on improving and saving the lives of women of reproductive age, newborns, and children under five.
The program will achieve these objectives through instruction on health and nutrition, the building of health clinics and training programs for community health volunteers, traditional birth attendants, nurses and midwives. Agricultural instruction will teach mothers how to grow nutritious fruits and vegetables close to their homes in kitchen gardens.
The program will serve an estimated 100,000 people, including 33,000 children of vulnerable people groups such as ethnic minorities and people just returning to their homes after natural disasters or civil conflict.
EMBRACE will be the largest program that ADRA has administered and represents a total funding amount of 26 million dollars. Over 20 million will be contributed by the Government of Canada, through Global Affairs Canada and the remaining 5 million will be contributed by ADRA Canada and its partners.
ADRA Canada has conducted programs like this in the past, most recently in Cambodia. “We believe that the experience that we have gained in administering these programs, along with the professional expertise of our partnering ADRA offices in the field, has played a big role in being selected by Global Affairs Canada for this important program,” said the agency in a statement.
In the implementation of the program, ADRA Canada will be partnering with three Canadian organizations. The Midwifery Department of Laurentian University, Youth Challenge International, and the Hinks-Dellcrest Center will be providing specific technical expertise that will enhance the professional implementation of the program. Additionally, Salanga/Kinaki will provide technical support in monitoring and evaluation.