Part of a special journal issue focusing on the role of the U.S. Foreign Service in Haiti., The work USAID and the State Department have done in Haiti after the January 12 earthquake shows why these organizations should take the lead in disaster relief.
Johnston,Jake (Author) and Main,Alexander (Author)
Format:
Pamphlet
Publication Date:
Apr 2013
Published:
Center for Economic and Policy Research
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
14 p., The U.S. government pledged $1.15 billion for relief and reconstruction projects in Haiti. Key U.S. actors, like the State Department's Cheryl Mills, acknowledged a "unique opportunity to build back better" and "an obligation to ensure that aid is actually effective." Over three years have passed since Haiti's earthquake and, despite USAID's stated commitment to greater transparency and accountability, the question "where has the money gone?" echoes throughout the country. It remains unclear how exactly the billions of dollars that the U.S. has spent on assistance to Haiti have been used and whether this funding has had a sustainable impact. With few exceptions, Haitians and U.S. taxpayers are unable to verify how U.S. aid funds are being used on the ground in Haiti.
Argues that the historical boycott of Haiti's government in the 19th and 20th centuries by the international community, the constant internal struggle among the members of the elite for the control of state power, and the weakening of state structures through the creation of nongovernmental organizations have weakened the government's capacity to deal with major catastrophe and meet the needs of its citizens.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
58 p., On January 12, 2010, a powerful earthquake struck Haiti, resulting in an estimated 230,000 deaths, including more than 16,000 Haitian government personnel, and the destruction of many ministry buildings. Congress appropriated 1.14 billion dollars in supplemental funds for reconstruction, most of which was provided to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State (State). This report addresses infrastructure construction activities, including (1) USAID and State obligations and expenditures; (2) USAID staffing; (3) USAID planning; and (4) potential sustainability challenges USAID faces.
Gootnick,David (Author) and Ragland,Susan (Author)
Format:
Book, Whole
Publication Date:
May 2011
Published:
United States Government Accountability Office
Location:
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
70 p., Congress appropriated more than 1.14 billion dollars in supplemental funds for reconstruction assistance following the earthquake in Haiti, most of which was provided to the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Department of State (State). The Haitian government created the Interim Haiti Recovery Commission (IHRC), a joint Haitian-international entity, for an 18-month term to coordinate donors, conduct strategic planning, approve reconstruction projects, and provide accountability. GAO addressed (1) the planned uses for US reconstruction assistance and the amounts provided so far, (2) USAID's internal controls for overseeing US funds, and (3) IHRC's progress establishing governance and oversight structures.
African American Research Center, Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Notes:
55 p., Following immediate relief efforts after the 2010 Haiti earthquake, Congress provided 1.14 billion dollars for reconstruction in the Supplemental Appropriations Act. The US Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated about 268 million dollars and other funding to construct a power plant and port to support the Caracol Industrial Park (CIP) in northern Haiti and permanent housing in several locations. This report examines USAID's (1) funding obligations and disbursements and State's reports to Congress on funding and progress; (2) USAID's progress in two CIP-related activities -- a power plant and port; and (3) USAID's progress in constructing permanent housing.