Father and son working at sweet potato plantation in southern Honduras.
Honduras Snapshot
Date of Independence: 1821
Population: 7,833,696
GDP $33.17 billion (2009)
GDP Per Capita $4,200 (2009)
Source: CIA, The World Factbook
http://www.usaid.gov/hn/
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USAID Assistance to the Honduras
(Dollars in Millions)
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CONTACT INFORMATION
Program Officer
Julius Schlotthauer
USAID Tegucigalpa
Avenida La Paz Frente a
Embajada Americana
P.O. Box 3453
Tegucigalpa, Honduras
Tel: 504-236-9320 x 9320
E-mail: jschlotthauer@usaid.gov
Desk Officer (Washington)
Edith Houston
Tel: 202-712-4928
E-mail: ehouston@usaid.gov |
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Overview
Honduras is the second poorest nation in Centra l America, with almost half of its population living on $2 or less per day. Low levels of education and an unemployment rate of approximately 40% are important factors that contribute to poverty. As illustrated by the 2009 coup d’état, democratic institutions are fragile and there is little public support for democracy or public participation in governance. In addition, society is increasingly polarized. Basic health statistics such as fertility rates, maternal and child mortality, and malnutrition remain high, especially in rural areas. More than 60% of Hondurans are highly vulnerable to food insecurity.
In addition to these development challenges, violence is growing. Organized crime, gangs, political assassinations, and trafficking in drugs, arms, and people contribute to one of the world’s highest per capita murder rates, with an estimated 66 per 100,000 people in 2009. Honduras is also one of the most susceptible countries in the world to tropical cyclones and climate change risks. These environmental factors coupled with illegal logging and environmentally unsustainable policies threaten Hondura’s natural resources.
Programs
Governing Justly & Democratically
USAID programs support democratic institutions as a key component in achieving sustained development. USAID supports good governance, political competition and consensus building, and civil society at the local and national levels. This assistance promotes civil society-led initiatives to increase transparency and accountability in the use of public resources, ensure that elections are free and fair, and advocate for reform. At the local level, USAID improves the ability of municipal governments to respond to citizen needs by building their capacity to provide decentralized services and increasing citizen participation in the political process. USAID programs promote Honduran ownership by empowering non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and citizens to address the most intractable impediments to development.
Economic Growth
Economic growth activities increase the incomes of poor rural households by linking small farmers to market opportunities. Honduras is part of the new Global Hunger and Food Security Initiative and is developing a new food security program that will be the cornerstone of USAID’s poverty reduction efforts. Current programs reduce poverty by improving the business environment, promoting economic diversification, and increasing investment and trade at the local, regional, and international levels. USAID also helps small farmers and enterprises to take advantage of increased trade opportunities under the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).
Environment
USAID supports key environmental activities that strengthen protected area management, mitigate global climate change, promote renewable energy, and implement the CAFTA Environmental Cooperation Agreement. In addition, USAID provides humanitarian assistance in the aftermath of natural or man-made disasters and training for emergency preparedness and response.
Investing In People
Health
USAID assists the Honduran Ministry of Health and other local organizations to improve the provision of services, especially for maternal and child health, family planning, and HIV/AIDS prevention, care and support. USAID also promotes health sector reform and decentralization of services through a model where local organizations provide health services for the poor and the Ministry of Health finances, regulates and evaluates these organizations.
Education
In education, USAID assists the Ministry of Education to reform policies and improve the quality, coverage, and efficiency of education from preschool through high school. Programs strengthen decentralization in education, bringing decision-making closer to local levels and facilitating parental participation. Efforts also support basic education components of workforce training by targeting the large youth population that has limited educational opportunities.
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