USAID/OTI Haiti Annual Report
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October 2010 - September 2011 |
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Program Description
The USAID Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) launched the Haiti Recovery Initiative (HRI) in January 2010 as part of the post-earthquake response, supporting short- and medium-term activities aimed at stabilizing Haiti through assistance for community revitalization, improved governance, and economic strengthening.
Striving to prepare local governments and community-based organizations for longer-term U.S. Government (USG) investment, the program moved to a new phase in March 2011 following the release of the five-year "Post-Earthquake USG Haiti Strategy." This strategy identifies two objectives: 1) catalyze economic growth by supporting agriculture, energy, and infrastructure; and 2) ensure long-term stability by investing in public institutions. USAID/OTI advances this effort by promoting economic growth and stability in the three USG Strategic Development Corridors of Port-au-Prince, St. Marc, and Cap Haitien.
Program Areas
USAID/OTI activities within the USG strategy consist of three components:
Enabling the Government of Haiti to Function – In coordination with USAID/Haiti and international partners, USAID/OTI is supporting the democratic transition to the administration of newly elected President Michel Martelly. USAID/OTI assists the Government of Haiti (GOH) at the local
and national levels through technical assistance for urban planning, decentralization, and economic growth and recovery efforts. For example, USAID/OTI collaborated with the Ministry of Communications to launch an interactive Web portal linking local entrepreneurs with investment opportunities. In addition, USAID/OTI completed construction on temporary structures for the Parliament this fall.
Community Stabilization – Working closely with the GOH and international partners, USAID/OTI is revitalizing key neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince to strengthen communities and resettle internally displaced persons (IDPs). USAID/OTI is helping develop shelter solutions for earthquake-affected IDPs and lay the groundwork for economic livelihood projects in St. Marc and Cap Haitien. Illustrative projects include installing solar-powered street lights in Cap Haitien to improve public safety, training young entrepreneurs in small business development to grow economic opportunities in St. Marc, and rehabilitating embankments on the Salée River Irrigation Canal to prevent flooding. USAID/OTI is also supporting the Martelly Administration's efforts to bring more expertise to national budget planning, rule of law, private investment and health policy reform, and facilitate local government investments in urban planning, light infrastructure, and peri-urban upgrading.
Increasing Citizen Engagement – USAID/OTI is working to improve communication between the GOH and its citizens, including supporting outreach efforts at the national level as well as building capacity among local government and non-governmental entities to communicate community-level needs. Within this portfolio, USAID/OTI is working with Internews to air the popular "News You Can Use" radio program, which broadcasts local news as well as critical information such as cholera prevention tips and locations of treatment sites. USAID/OTI is also working closely with the GOH to inform residents in the Northern Corridor of Haiti about the industrial park.
Country Situation
When President Martelly took office, Haitians had high hopes for real change. However, the administration's first few months were marked by political paralysis, frequent overseas trips, and more rhetoric than action. Citizens soon became frustrated. The president struggled to form a government, facing persistent blockades in a Parliament dominated by the opposing party. Martelly's first two candidates for the post of Prime Minister were rapidly dismissed, heightening concerns that the president would not be able to work cohesively with a Parliament composed largely of loyalists of the former president, Rene Preval.
Now six months into his term, Martelly has recently achieved some notable accomplishments. Last month, he succeeded in ushering in a new Prime Minister, Gary Conille. With Conille in place, the administration is looking to pursue an ambitious policy agenda, aiming to rebuild the Haitian economy by attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), creating new jobs, and asserting, both nationally and abroad, that Haiti is "Open for Business."
Martelly has also spearheaded efforts to resettle the many displaced families and individuals still living in camps and shelters in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas. Launching what has been termed the "16-6 Initiative," this endeavor strives to provide housing solutions for IDPs residing in six camps and improve living conditions in 16 areas throughout Port-au-Prince.
Lastly, Martelly recently received praise for securing funding from the National Fund for Education and the Clinton Foundation to send 142,000 children to school this academic year. Improving access to education was among Martelly's chief campaign promises.
Upcoming Events
| November 21 |
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Inauguration of temporary structures for the Parliament |
| November 28 |
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Groundbreaking for the Northern Industrial Park |
Grants Summary
Since January 2010, USAID/OTI, through its implementing partner Chemonics International, has funded 741 small grants totaling $85 million. Funding breaks down by sector as follows: Community Stabilization, 73%; Enabling the GOH to Function, 17%; and Increasing Citizen Engagement, 10%. (Activity count and funding data is accurate as of report date.)
Activities
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| Photo Credit: USAID
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| A worker finishes concrete for a temporary structure to house Parliament.
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Resettling Families in Pétion-Ville – In concert with the Martelly Administration's "16-6 Initiative," USAID/OTI is working with the International Organization for Migration to resettle 1,237 families residing in two Pétion-Ville IDP camps. With help from community mobilizers, the residents choose their preferred shelter solution from options including house repairs, temporary shelters, or rental assistance grants. To date, the majority of families have selected rental assistance as their preferred option. As the families move out of the camp, USAID/OTI is developing job skills and social strengthening programming in the communities absorbing the residents. In addition to helping the former IDPs, USAID/OTI is investing in the neighborhoods receiving the new or returning residents through economic and social development programs.
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| Photo Credit: USAID
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| Medika Mamba awaits delivery in Cap Haitien.
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Rebuilding Structures for the Parliament – This fall, USAID/OTI will complete construction and inaugurate new temporary structures to house both chambers of Haiti's Parliament. These buildings will provide adequate space to hold plenary sessions as well as 22,600 sq. ft. of office space for elected members and staff. This effort seeks to strengthen an institution critical not just to Haiti's democracy but also to the reconstruction process. The original Parliament building was completely destroyed during the earthquake; more than 80 staff members were killed in the collapse.
Expanding Food Production to Combat Malnutrition – To combat malnutrition in Haiti, USAID/OTI is partnering with Meds & Food for Kids (MFK), a U.S.-based, locally registered nonprofit, to produce Medika Mamba ("peanut butter medicine" in Creole). This ready-to-use food consists of a high-calorie peanut butter paste made from locally sourced Haitian peanuts. USAID/OTI is providing heavy equipment and resources to build a new Medika Mamba processing facility in Cap Haitien. The factory will enable MFK to increase production from 80 to 800 metric tons annually, enough to serve 80,000 undernourished children per year. With USAID/OTI assistance, the new MFK factory will also increase employment in Cap Haitien and support local farmers.
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| The Haitian Ministry of Finance is using posters to publicize the Northern Industrial Park.
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Communicating about the Northern Industrial Park – USAID/OTI is supporting the Haitian Ministry of Finance to publicize the development of the Northern Industrial Park through a comprehensive communications campaign in the Northern Corridor of Haiti and Port-au-Prince. Components of the communications strategy include town hall meetings; print, audio, and visual information products; and specific messaging targeting women's participation. USAID/OTI anticipates the new industrial park, to be built just outside of Cap Haitian, will boost the garment industry by 200 percent and create 20,000 jobs during the first phase of manufacturing activity.
Planting Jatropha for a Better Future – Working to expand economic opportunities in the strategic development corridor of St. Marc, USAID/OTI partnered with the Haitian Center for Research on Bioenergy and Sustainable Agriculture (CHIBAS) to plant approximately 550,000 Jatropha curcas seedlings northeast of the city. Jatropha curcas is a multipurpose crop that promotes environmental recovery and can provide an alternative source of energy to power lamps, stoves, generators, and vehicles. Jatropha curcas requires little maintenance and can grow in areas unsuitable for other plants. Once processed, oil from the plant's seeds can augment or completely replace traditional fuels, such as wood, charcoal, or diesel. USAID/OTI, in coordination with CHIBAS, hired 1,500 temporary workers, including IDPs from Port-au-Prince, to plant the seedlings as well as oversee their growth. As part of the project, the St. Marc municipality agreed to form a 200-farmer cooperative to maintain the seedlings, which are expected to mature in three years. CHIBAS is continuing its work with local farmers to develop value chains to market Jatropha curcas by-products in the area.
Strengthening Small and Medium-Size Enterprises – Striving to strengthen Haiti's economy, USAID/OTI is working with Fondation Etre Ayisyen (FEA), a local group of professionals devoted to growing Haiti's small and medium-size enterprises, to facilitate a comprehensive entrepreneurship training program for 2,000 individuals throughout the country. This course focuses on financial literacy, business strategy, and professional development and is structured for young people who have demonstrated entrepreneurial acumen. After completing the course, students will compete in a business plan contest where the winner will receive funding to support start-up costs for the idea submitted in his/her proposal. With these investments in human capital, USAID/OTI aims to encourage Haiti's legitimate small and medium-size business sector. Although small businesses currently comprise roughly 90 percent of all companies in Haiti, they account for only 10 percent of output. Through this work, USAID/OTI is supporting the Government of Haiti's efforts to improve small business performance and increase their contribution to the formal economy.
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| Photo Credit: USAID
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| A pilot textile-skills training course placed 97 percent of participants in new jobs.
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Skills Training in Port-au-Prince – To expand economic opportunities in the historically underserved communities of Port-au-Prince, USAID/OTI is providing technical, professional, and literacy training for men and women in Bel Air and Martissant. Partnering with local organizations INDEPCO and APEX, USAID/OTI is offering training courses in industrial sewing and textile skills to vulnerable community members. Through the program, INDEPCO and APEX will connect roughly 200 participants with a professional network of local businesses and employment opportunities. INDEPCO and APEX will link 70 to 80 percent of the participants who complete the three-month training course with new opportunities. This program is a continuation of a pilot textile-skills training course that USAID/OTI launched last year. Following the pilot course, INDEPCO successfully placed 97 percent of the participants in new jobs.
Program Evaluation
The HRI program has successfully transitioned from its initial focus on post-earthquake, emergency needs to a longer-term view toward supporting the new Martelly Administration, fostering strong, stable communities in the development corridors, and building GOH capacity to communicate with its citizens. This approach focuses on the key objectives outlined in the USG Haiti Strategy, and staff operates in close coordination with the U.S. Haiti Mission. USAID/OTI actively involves complementary USAID and international donor partners in planning and coordination processes. As the program approaches handover, USAID/OTI strategically aligns program goals and objectives to prepare for longer-term development needs.
With increased USG attention on the St. Marc and Cap Haitien development corridors, USAID/OTI has increased its presence, partner staff, and activities in these areas. In St. Marc, USAID/OTI has focused on strengthening the local economy by investing in job skills courses, planting crops and training farmers, and supporting entrepreneurs through business plan competitions. Much of this effort is devoted to providing an attractive community for IDP returns and integrating new arrivals into the community.
In Cap Haitien, USAID/OTI is working closely with the GOH to prepare for the coming industrial park. USAID/OTI helped the Ministry of Finance execute a strategic communications effort through fliers, billboards, and radio spots, and recently completed construction on six information kiosks throughout the region. Additionally, USAID/OTI convened town hall-style meetings to answer questions about the park, such as how to apply for jobs and whether the development will exact an environmental toll. The industrial park will provide a significant source of employment for residents in the Northern Corridor of Haiti. This effort has enhanced the GOH's visibility in the North as well as its capacity to communicate with the public.
USAID/OTI is also investing in key, historically underserved neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. In Bel Air and Martissant, USAID/OTI is installing solar lamps to increase lighting in characteristically unsafe areas. Many of these areas are marked by high rates of sexual and gender-based violence. By increasing nighttime lighting, USAID/OTI aims to reduce incidences of violence. USAID/OTI has also found that students use the lighted areas in the evenings to complete their studies. Acting on this information, USAID/OTI is ensuring that benches are sited beneath the lamps to facilitate the needs of young people.
Through a comprehensive approach, USAID/OTI maintains a national presence—operating in Port-au-Prince and the two development corridors—while adapting activity designs to accommodate community-level needs. Furthermore, with regular monitoring and evaluation, USAID/OTI is able to rapidly respond to conditions on the ground.
For further information, please contact:
OTI Haiti Team, DCHA.OTIHaitiDCProgramManagers@usaid.gov.
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