U.S. Government Increases Assistance to Haiti
WASHINGTON, DC 20523
PRESS OFFICE
http://www.usaid.gov/
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2003-057
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 26, 2003
Contact: USAID Press Office
Washington, D.C. - Andrew S. Natsios, Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), announced today the U.S. assistance budget to Haiti had received an additional increase of $6 million, from $63.8 million to $69.8 million, for Fiscal Year 2003. This represents an increase of $16 million, or almost 30 percent, over Fiscal Year 2002. "USAID continues to be the largest single donor to Haiti. We remain firmly committed to supporting the Haitian people during this difficult period and will continue to provide humanitarian assistance and promote economic development," said Natsios.
USAID assistance to Haiti includes programs to strengthen democracy, generate income and employment for the poor, conduct health and education programs, and provide food assistance. The $6 million in new monies represents an increase in food assistance in response to the continuing chronic food shortages which plague the country. U.S. food aid reaches over 680,000 of the neediest and most vulnerable Haitians through an emphasis on household nutrition. Food aid also finances technical assistance to farmers to enhance agricultural productivity. With these additional funds, USAID will strengthen existing programs aimed at improving the health and welfare of pregnant and nursing mothers and young children. In 2002 alone, USAID provided nutritional supplements to over 21,000 pregnant and nursing women and to 23,000 children under the age of 5.
Despite a downward spiraling economy and extensive drought, USAID agriculture activities have resulted in significant revenue improvements for more than 35,000 farmers. In urban areas, USAID's micro credit lending has benefited more than 80,000 borrowers, mostly women.
Adolfo A. Franco, USAID's Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, underscored, "USAID is making a difference, not only in facilitating the delivery of health services to Haitian citizens, but also in improving donor and non-governmental organization coordination. Through a collaborative multi-donor effort following the polio and measles outbreak of 2001, 3 million children received the polio vaccine, and an additional 1.3 million received the measles vaccine." USAID is also providing maternal and child health services and combating infectious diseases, particularly HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis, through programs which reach over 2.5 million Haitians, or almost a third of the population.
USAID supports schools to improve the quality of primary education. Students at USAID-supported schools demonstrate significantly higher achievement levels compared to their peers.
USAID democracy programs work at the community level supporting local citizen groups. Through support to 22 community radio stations, USAID is promoting human rights including freedom of the press. USAID has provided assistance to more than 400 women's groups, farmer cooperatives, and grass root organizations.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years.
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