Approximately 20 percent of Honduran families could not get enough food when the storm had passed. Many of these people were also facing homelessness. They needed food assistance in order to re-establish their means of economic survival and begin the search for permanent housing.

To address food needs and the reconstruction effort, a USAID financed Food-For-Work program was implemented to support the clean-up and reconstruction effort immediately following the disaster.

The projects included rehabilitation of the local infrastructure including roads, public buildings, and water and sanitation systems. Food-for-Work programs not only benefited those receiving food assistance, but also the thousands more who benefited from the improved infrastructure.

$42 million in USAID funding for emergency food assistance and transportation was provided, primarily through three NGOs — CARE, Catholic Relief Services, and the World Food Program. These organizations divided up the country to avoid duplication of effort and worked closely with each municipality assigned to them. Each NGO collaborated with local leaders to determine priority needs and develop Food-for-Work programs that responded to those needs. They partnered with other NGOs that have experience working in local communities.

In the first month after the hurricane, existing Title II food stocks were redirected from the regular food security program, thus preventing hunger throughout Honduras. USAID organized the largest airlift since Berlin, bringing in 1,200 metric tons of food commodities.

The USAID funded NGOs went into action in more than 2,000 communities, clearing mud and debris from roads, streets, and cemeteries, building drainage canals and aiding with basic repairs of schools, community centers, churches and clinics. Over 3,500 kilometers of access roads and streets were cleared and repaired.

USAID provided $27.8 million in immediate disaster and recovery assistance, including the repair of damaged water and sanitation systems to prevent an outbreak of disease.

USAID also redirected $33 million in program funding and food assistance to initiate reconstruction activities prior to the United States Congress’ passage of the Supplemental Reconstruction Appropriation.

Emergency Response: Moving Quickly to Protect Lives

•$42 million in emergency food assistance

•$33 million redirected to initiate reconstruction activities prior to passage of the Supplemental Reconstruction appropriation.

Building Communities: New Homes, New Schools, New Neighborhoods

•The EDUCATODOS program expanded to include grades 7-9, with the 7^th grade curriculum offered in 103 sites with approximately 3,000 students

•9 new vocational centers built and five new workshops for existing centers built

Economic Reactivation: Getting Producers Back on Track

•Over 1,100 kilometers of farm to market roads completed

•2,140 meters of bridges and 145 fords built

•$40 million in credit extended for agricultural reactivation through FONAPROVI, PROREMI, commercial banks and cooperatives

•More than 1,900 fulltime jobs created through agricultural credit program

•$17.4 million in increased sales of agricultural products

•$18.3 million technology transfer increased incomes of 28,000 small agricultural producers

•19 Garifuna and 3 Misquito communities received 35,000 nuts for replanting of palm trees affected by lethal yellowing disease

•Hot water treatment plant built to allow exportation to U.S. and South America

•$10 million dispersed to 45,000 micro and small entrepreneurs in Mitch affected areas

Disaster Mitigation/Environment: Saving Lives Through Prevention, Preparation

•Early warning network installed for Choluteca watershed provides wide area network instant access to flood alert data

•Community based early alert systems installed in 8 micro watersheds in 3 municipalities of Aguan River Basin

•14 flood control sites completed in Aguan and Choluteca River Basins

•Helped stabilize critical watersheds in 34 municipalities

•Sustainable management practices implemented in over 33,000 hectares of agricultural land and forests

•Microwatershed management plans for 73,000 hectares affecting 200 communities

•4,851 families implementing soil conservation practices

•1.2 million trees grown in 600 nurseries

•Over 21,000 trained in watershed protection practices or sustainable agriculture

Municipal Development: Local Government Taking Charge

•31 studies on appropriate water user fees implemented in 25 municipalities

Transparency and Accountability: Increasing Efficiency at National Level

•Honduran project-inspection office set up with USAID support to oversee the operation of ministries and independent government agencies

•15-year Poverty Reduction Strategy Program by Honduran government and civil society

•G-15 with USAID participation developed matrix of activities for improved public administration, reforms and government accountability and presented to four political parties prior to 2001 election

•Public awareness campaign strategy developed, non-governmental human rights center given technical assistance

•Technical assistance provided to National Anti-Corruption Council

•Good Government and Transparency study conducted and shared with public

•Training provided on ethics, fraud awareness and anti-corruption to 2,000 participants representing more than 30 public and private sector organizations