UNCDF Expands Local Development Programme in Haiti with Financial Support from Canada

03 October 2005: Haitian Prime Minister Gérard Latortue and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Adama Guindo last week launched a new initiative to extend a local development programme, managed and primarily financed by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF). The implementation of the new project, for which US$ 5.3 million has been allocated, aims to improve the livelihoods of Haitians living in the northeastern region through setting up demand-driven social and economic infrastructure.

The base programme, originally financed with $US 4 million from UNCDF, has been seen as a success by the Government of Haiti. The new project, approved last week, will expand and extend the programme through additional funds provided from both UNCDF and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA). The financing consists of $US 2.5 million from UNCDF and $US 2.8 million from CIDA.

"This is an historic day. I find myself, here, in Fort-Liberté, to sign an agreement together with the UNDP Resident Representative that will greatly benefit the local inhabitants," said Prime Minister, Gérard Latortue, speaking in front of an audience of hundreds, mostly locals. "The project is particularly close to my heart since I can guarantee that the approved funds will be invested exclusively in the local populations' economic development."

"This local development programme can be considered a best practice," said UNDP Resident Representative and UN Resident Coordinator in Haiti Adama Guindo. "Allocated funds are used for development projects proposed by local authorities working with the local population. Because of this project they are able to identify priority issues concerning their sustainable development."

During its first phase, between 2000 and 2004, the UNCDF programme titled Support to Local Governance in the Northeast Region of Haiti strengthened the capacities of local actors and set up basic economic and social infrastructure, identified in the local development plans by the local authorities, with technical assistance from the project team. During the past five years, the programme contributed to poverty reduction through increasing access to basic social services and productive resources for 100,000 inhabitants in four cities in the northeastern region (Capotille, Ouanaminthe, Mont-Organisé et Carice).

The launch of this project officially ended a two-day tour of Prime Minister Gérard Latortue and UNDP Resident Representative Adama Guindo, on Saturday and Sunday in the Northern, Northwestern and Northeastern areas, leading an important delegation composed by representatives of the local government and of the international community. The tour aimed to promote the UN Millennium Development Goals and to launch a series of decentralization projects by the Government in the selected areas.