USAID Assistance to Haiti
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
Press: (202) 712-4320
Public Information: (202) 712-4810
2004-015
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 12, 2004
Contact: USAID Press Office
|
Resources | FY 2000
Actual | FY 2001
Actual | FY 2002
Actual | FY 2003
Actual | FY 2004
Current | FY 2005
Requested |
|---|
Total Program Funds
(In thousands of dollars) | $82,0256 | $70,087 | $54,016 | $69,786 | $52,638 |
$51,488 |
USAID's principal objectives in Haiti are to alleviate poverty while building the foundations for a prosperous, democratic society. Assistance is channeled to the people of Haiti through U.S. and local non-governmental organizations.
Income Generation: USAID provides assistance to farmers, micro-entrepreneurs, and artisans throughout Haiti. Programs seek to increase access to economic opportunities for the rural and urban poor. Activities are aimed at market driven agricultural products. Improved farming techniques helped nearly 40,000 farmers increase their revenues from target crops, such as, coffee, cacao, mangoes, avocado and yams. Haitian artisans are developing long term opportunities with Western markets. This program has created more than 6,500 short-term jobs and steady employment for approximately 2,000 artisans.
Democracy and Governance: Democracy programs focus on strengthening political parties and developing an independent media, support of civil society organizations to advance judicial reform, and promoting human rights. Approximately 150 civil society organizations with over 3,800 participants receive civic education training, as the need for new political leadership reaches critical levels. USAID's support to civil society has empowered groups to engage with government on matters of local and national interest.
Health: USAID works with a network of 30 local organizations to reach approximately 2.7 million Haitians and expand availability of maternal and child health services. Child immunizations are now nearly double the national average in USAID assisted areas and the percentage of women nationwide seeking prenatal consultation has increased from 68 percent to 79 percent. In addition, as a presidential initiative focus country, USAID is expanding the of voluntary counseling and testing centers (VCT) network to include prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV/AIDS.
Education: USAID's programs expand access to and improve the quality of primary-level education. Community-owned and managed schools have increased enrollment and reduced costs to families. Radio educational programs focusing on math and Creole reading for grades 2-4, have resulted in improved student performance. These same schools participate in activities to improve teacher skills and leadership skills for school directors and encourage newly formed parent associations to monitor schools. A program is in the planning stages to reach the high number of out-of-school adolescents with literacy, numeracy, and life skills instruction.
Food Security: USAID uses food aid both for humanitarian purposes and as a development tool. PL 480 Title II funds account for more than one-half of USAID/Haiti's funding. This food-assisted program promotes improvements in household food security, nutrition, and the welfare of women, children, and poor, marginal farmers in six out of the nine districts of Haiti--- affecting the lives of 680,000 persons.
Emergency Response: Emergency response is also critical. During the past year, over $3 million in emergency assistance was provided. Most of the funds were used for medical assistance during the crisis which occurred during February and March of this year.
For more information about USAID's efforts in Latin America and the Caribbean, please visit our website at http://www.usaid.gov/locations/latin_america_caribbean.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
Back to Top ^
|
RSS Feed for Recent USAID Fact Sheets
