USAID Announces New Mission Director to Rwanda

WASHINGTON, March 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) officially swore in Dennis Weller as its Mission Director for Rwanda. U.S. Ambassador, Michael Arietti, presided at the event and administered the oath of office.

"I look forward to my time in Rwanda and continuing the strong relationship between the U.S. Government and Government of Rwanda," Weller said. "Rwanda has set ambitious but achievable goals detailed in Vision 2020 and the Economic Development and Poverty Reduction Strategy. USAID will continue to support the government's plans and improve the lives of Rwandans."

As Mission Director for Rwanda, Weller will lead USAID's programs to improve health and livelihoods of Rwandans, increase Rwanda's economic growth and promote democracy and good governance. Rwanda is a focus country for the U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) and President's Malaria Initiative (PMI).

A career Foreign Service Officer, Weller most recently served as Deputy Director of the USAID Mission in Ghana. During his tenure in Ghana, he administered four U.S. Presidential initiatives to alleviate hunger, improve education, increase growth and trade and fight malaria.

Weller began his career as a Peace Corps volunteer in Malaysia and has 25 years of experience with USAID, including work in Burma, Pakistan, Kenya and Iraq. Much of his work has focused on providing emergency food aid and improving agricultural growth in order to avert hunger and ensure economic development.

For more information about USAID and its programs in Rwanda, please visit www.usaid.gov.

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