HAITI: Donor nations pledge $750 million for Haiti

International donors pledged $750 million on Tuesday (July 25) to help fund impoverished Haiti's economic recovery efforts for the next fiscal year. Delegates from about 40 nations and financial institutions gathered in Port-au-Prince for a conference aimed at helping the turbulent and destitute Caribbean nation build social and economic stability. "We are very happy to have all the national and international authorities here today, determined to engaged in this effort," said president Preval, leader of the poorest country in the Americas. Haiti's government had asked for $540 million in immediate donations as part of an overall request for $7 billion to pay for long-term efforts to improve security, build roads, improve health and agriculture and promote institutional reform in the poorest nation in the Americas. "I'm here to announce that adding up the effort of every international organization present in Haiti, we have enough funds to begin working," assured Prime Minister Alexis. The pledges for short-term funding were expected to clear the way for the newly elected government of President Rene Preval to submit a budget to parliament. The new government was counting on the meeting to help it access badly needed funding for capital spending and operating costs. According to the World Bank Director for Latinamerica and the Caribbean, Rebeca Grynspan, the conference was a success. "I think it's a very good outcome. The Haitians have raised more money than they asked for for the next fifteen months. The Haitian government outlined its priorities which we discussed with parliament, civil society and the private sector, and I think the Haitian government made clear that it takes certain key areas very seriously, security, security and development must go hand in hand, the fight against corruption, transparency, accountability. The donor community made clear for their part that they want a long term commitment," said Grynspan. The donor community pledged $1.3 billion in 2004 to help Haiti rebuild after an armed rebellion toppled the government of President Jean-Bertrand Aristide, but the interim government that replaced Aristide complained that less than half that amount had actually been disbursed. Participants in this week's meeting included delegates from the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, the European Union and the U.S. Agency for International Development. They planned to meet again in November in Madrid to consider long-term funding for Haiti.

ITN Source | July 26, 2006

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