Washington, DC, USA (us.gov.krd) – Representative Bayan Sami Abdul Rahman, on Thursday, March 11, met with officials at the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State to discuss the humanitarian situation in the Kurdistan Region and issues related to economic development.

Ms. Abdul Rahman had a virtual meeting with Andrew Plitt, USAID Acting Assistant Administrator for the Middle East, Deputy Assistant Secretary Jeanne Pryor, and Richard Albright, Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary at the State Department’s Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration.

During the meeting, they discussed the fruitful partnership between the Kurdistan Region and the United States, the impact of Covid-19 and the necessity to vaccinate the population, and the continuing need for humanitarian assistance. 

They also discussed USAID’s work in Kurdistan and Iraq on the economic front, including the $21million Middle East and North Africa Investment Initiative, which helps businesses by providing technical assistance and supporting their access to capital.