Haiti: CIDA Results (2007–2008)

Introduction

Haiti is the poorest country in the Americas. It is the largest recipient of Canadian development aid in the Americas and the second largest overall.

Using a whole-of-government approach, Canada has pledged to contribute $555 million over five years (2006-2011) to help rebuild and develop Haiti:

• $485 million from CIDA
• $40 million from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police
• $30 million from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Progress

Despite recent events related to the global food crisis, under President Préval's leadership and with the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)'s contribution, the climate in Haiti became more secure in 2007-2008.The Government pledged to strengthen its institutions and serve Haitians more effectively.

In November 2007, the Government of Haiti tabled its national Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper for 2008-2010. This strategy aims at strengthening aid effectiveness, enabling donors to be more in line with Haiti's priorities. The paper is based on three pillars:

1. Growth vectors
2. Human development
3. Democratic governance

Despite many challenges, economic growth has remained positive in Haiti since 2005. According to the World Bank, Haiti's gross domestic product (GDP) increased by 3.2% in 2007. Moreover, according to the International Monetary Fund, inflation in Haiti decreased from 40% in 2003 to less than 10% in 2007.

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Results

Democratic governance: strengthening government

• Broadcasting of parliamentary sessions and the re-editing, publication,and distribution of the Penal Code, to make them more accessible.
• Registration of over 560,000 adults on the voters list, which now comprises 92% of the voting population.
• Support in creating the école de la Magistrature, where 70 justices of the peace have already been trained. More than 40 peace tribunals have been rehabilitated.
• Training of nearly 330 representatives of 60 civil society organizations to build their capacity for human rights advocacy.
• Membership of Haiti in the Caribbean Development Bank and opening of a CARICOM representative office to facilitate Haiti's economic integration.

Human development: access to basic services

• Immunization of over 620,000 individuals under the age of 20 against polio, measles, and rubella.
• Funding of tuition for 13,415 children at 510 schools in the Nippes and Artibonite departments.
• Raising awareness or testing of nearly 220,000 individuals regarding sexually transmitted infections and HIV/AIDS.
• Support in strengthening the health system to improve the quantity and quality of care for the 2.2 million residents of four targeted departments.

Quick-impact social and economic changes

• Creation of over 160,000 days of work, including 70,000 in poor neighbourhoods of Port-au-Prince.
• Doubling, and in some cases even tripling, of agricultural production for people benefiting from local development projects. This ensured their food security and generated additional income.
• Ongoing access to financial services for more than 212,000 members of one of 56 savings and credit co-operatives. In June 2007, 14 co-operatives joined together to improve the diversity, reliability, and quality of their services.
• Reduction of Haiti's debt to the Inter-American Development Bank by $7 million. This allowed the Government of Haiti to invest in essential services for Haitians.
• Distribution of over 200,000 forest and fruit seedlings.

Environment and Equality between women and men (crosscutting themes)

• Training of 7,400 individuals in agricultural production and environmental degradation, and material support (inputs) made available to more than 4,500 farmers.
• Training of 230 head nurses and 210 promotion officers to assist single mothers and their children in obtaining identity papers.
• Signing of a joint declaration by the environment ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic on the importance of cooperation between the two countries for harmonious natural resources management.
• Training of women journalists and provision of equipment for 23 community radio stations; monthly production of program material on equality between women and men and on women's rights.
• Funding of 21 shelters for women victims of violence, offering legal and medical support services.

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Programming outlook

In 2008-2009, CIDA will align its programming with Haiti's priorities.

Growth vectors

• Contribution to food security
• Construction of roads (Jérémie-Les Cayes, Rail Route)
• Rehabilitation of electric power plants
• Access to financial services of savings and credit co-operatives

Human development

• Technical and vocational training
• Education for all
• Reproductive health

Democratic governance

• Mobilization of internal revenue
• Technical assistance to central government institutions
• Support to electoral mechanisms
• Support in strengthening human and women's rights
• Training of police officers

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