ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES

USAID and the Government of Egypt have worked together on programs related to the re-location of lead smelters away from residential areas, decontamination of original smelter areas, introduction of cleaner fuels for local transit systems, and environmental protection. USAID is proud to have helped the Government of Egypt achieve the following milestones:

• A 75% reduction in lead pollution levels in Cairo’s densely populated Shoubra El Kheima area;
• Increased use of compressed natural gas in Cairo, a cleaner fuel for public transportation; USAID provided 50 compressed natural gas municipal transit buses;
• Reduction in the damage to Egypt’s Red Sea coral reef through improved monitoring programs and the installation of more than 800 mooring buoys to minimize damage by dive boat anchors;
• Activities along the Red Sea in Wadi El-Gemal National Park that promote conservation and protect biodiversity, improve environmental and land use management, develop sustainable tourism, and improve the quality of life and income-generating opportunities of local Bedouin communities.