Port-au-Prince.– The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) yesterday
announced the approval of a US$25-million grant to support the Haitian
government's public spending and debt management initiatives.
The grant, which will be disbursed in a single tranche,
will support the Haitian government's reforms to increase tax and
customs revenues, improve the efficiency of public spending and
strengthen the management of public debt, the IDB said.
A release from the Washington-based institution said the
assistance will also contribute to the Caribbean Community (Caricom)
nation's efforts to reinforce its Public Works Ministry's capacity to
plan, develop and maintain the national road network, as well as to the
government's efforts to increase efficiency at a local power utility
operation.
"The goals of these reforms are shared by other
international agencies and donor countries. In connection with this new
operation, the Caribbean Development Bank recently approved a US$10
million policy-based grant to provide Haiti additional budgetary
support," it said.
From: Dominican Republic
This is good news for Haiti but it should be alot more than that. 25 Million dollars for Haiti is a joke!
From: United States
Keep an eye on the usual ladrones
They must be looking for houses now in France and the Dominican republic
Written by: ateo1992 
, 29 Aug 2009 1:25 AM
From: Dominican Republic
the money won't work, no matter how much you give Haiti, the people is the one that needs to change there mentality, and that's gonna be almost impossible.
Written by: kmnupe, 30 Aug 2009 8:49 PM
From: United States, NYC
ATEO,
By the people, you mean?
There are many kinds of people in all societies, you know as well as I do. But, in Haitian society, most of the people are being held hostage by a minority that have corrupted their minds and spirits and kept them POOR.
If all of those monies were actually ever used to improve the lives of the people, there would be a change in the overall mentality.
Imagine not getting enough to eat, not living in decent housing, not being able to go to school, no electricity, no potable water, no proper medical care etc...for a large segment of the population.
YOU live in those conditions day in day out and see how great your spirit would be. I'm surprised that the suicide and murder rate in Haiti is not over the roof. Ignorance must be bliss.
LET US ALL COUNT OUR BLESSINGS AND SPEAK NOT OF WHAT WE KNOW NOT.
THANK YOU.
From: United States Virgin Islands
It is true that the mentality of some people in power need to be changed in Haiti and that there are selfish and corrupted people who will attempt to steal funds whenever they have the opportunity. However, as of now, Haiti has a decent audit and control system that may be able to block the thieves. Haiti has 10 departments (regions). To boost the economy of each of the departments (agriculture, jobs, education, roads, electricity, water etc..), they will need 200 million dollars each. For a total of 2 billion dollars. The problem is that Haiti has not received 2 billion dollars and even if they get that much the government has not equally distributed the monies to the 10 departments. To be on par with the DR, Haiti would probably need 500 billion dollars but the 200 millions per department would for sure jump start the economy. If the international community wants quick results in Haiti, 2 billion dollars well managed would be needed.
From: Dominican Republic
How do you know 2 billion dollars is needed? Was a study conducted to reveal this? If this is true then I totally agree with you, the international community should be funded and managed by the UN with the different Haitian Political powers leadership. I know it urges me to see quick positive economic results in Haiti for the sake of my country, DR.
From: United States Virgin Islands
I know someone in the UN Division of Substainable Development who compiled an informal study on how much it would cost to develop Haiti or at least getting the country jump started. Like I said this is informal not law but the numbers are pretty much in the ball park of how much Haiti needs. Can you imagine that Bill Gates all by himself with his 50 billion can use only 2 billion and have the Haitian economy jump started.
From: United States Virgin Islands
You might find this interesting:
http://www.internationalreportingproject.org/stories/detail/1088/They say that Haiti receives 715 million dollars per year in development aid but the Haitian government and the NGOs say that the money is "pledged funds" and were never received. Only a small fraction was received. Furthermore, whatever money was received has been used to cover "emergencies" such as the hurricanes damages. What I am saying is that if each of the 10 departments of Haiti receive 200 million dollars of development aid all at once and that the projects are attacked all at once, this will jump start Haiti's infrastructure. Provided that no one steals the funds.
From: Dominican Republic
Very sad what i read from that international reporting project in haiti.
From: Dominican Republic
ojedamaggiolo80,
I agree, if Haiti would get this help, it would decrease the burden on DR.
And we might even stop hearing all does so called worried soul, say that DR as to be more accepting and helpfull. But unfortunately ( I dont want to be a pessimist) the UN and the rest of the World, wont help... They did not in 1993 when everything went to hell and the UN backout so fast, they never got off the boat... The world as nothing to gain from helping Haiti,Kenya or Somalia....
From: Dominican Republic
Kmnupe, I understand what you are saying but I also have to agree with Ateo1992.
Imagine not getting enough to eat, not living in decent housing, not being able to go to school, no electricity, no potable water, no proper medical care etc...for a large segment of the population
This is ( also) reality for a great majority of Dominicains.
But historically speaking, money alone will not change the situation. When you have lived in this type of situation for generations, where corruption, violence,lack of all basic necessities is the norm, It takes community organization, education, rebuilding of Social structures, healing ( physically and psychologically) and more. Money will help get this accomplished but it will take a overall willingness to change the make a durable change.
Written by: kmnupe, 5 Sep 2009 7:06 AM
From: United States, NYC
BLUE_RAVEN.
I hear you.
But, when people throw things like the mentality of the people out there wantonly, it's is subjected to misinterpretation.
The "mentality" of which the poster speaks of is not some inherent freak of nature rather it's caused by systematic abuse.
We must be careful not to point fingers and label people based on our perception when we have not lived a day in their shoes. Make that 1000 days.
In this situation, MONEY is a major factor because it can provide an overall better environment. Healthy environment produces an healthy mind.
So I agree that the WILL of the people can make a change, but you'd have to believe in a positive change without ever having witnessed anything remotely close to IDEAL.
From: United States Virgin Islands
@oje: Please check out this video clip on why foreign aid fail Haiti. Some people around the world feel tired of helping Haiti. Why is Haiti not developed if millions of foreign aid is received? The video clip explains that even if some of the money was geared towards developing the country (roads, water, schools, hospitals, agriculture, tourism, jobs etc...), the money is not being used for development. The money is used for emergency relief. They wait for a disaster to happen, they help, then they wait for the next disaster. Although relief funds are crucial but the viscious cycle has to end. The Haitian diaspora is tired of this situation and would like to see their country prosper. The security is better now in Haiti. The British lifted their travel warning. The diaspora wants change. Those are positive steps and foundation for a better Haiti:
http://www.internationalreportingproject.org/stories/detail/378/http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/article.php?news_id=18636Written by: abc200, 21 Sep 2009 8:20 AM
From: United Kingdom
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They must be looking for houses now in France and the Dominican republic
By the people, you mean?
There are many kinds of people in all societies, you know as well as I do. But, in Haitian society, most of the people are being held hostage by a minority that have corrupted their minds and spirits and kept them POOR.
If all of those monies were actually ever used to improve the lives of the people, there would be a change in the overall mentality.
Imagine not getting enough to eat, not living in decent housing, not being able to go to school, no electricity, no potable water, no proper medical care etc...for a large segment of the population.
YOU live in those conditions day in day out and see how great your spirit would be. I'm surprised that the suicide and murder rate in Haiti is not over the roof. Ignorance must be bliss.
LET US ALL COUNT OUR BLESSINGS AND SPEAK NOT OF WHAT WE KNOW NOT.
THANK YOU.
They say that Haiti receives 715 million dollars per year in development aid but the Haitian government and the NGOs say that the money is "pledged funds" and were never received. Only a small fraction was received. Furthermore, whatever money was received has been used to cover "emergencies" such as the hurricanes damages. What I am saying is that if each of the 10 departments of Haiti receive 200 million dollars of development aid all at once and that the projects are attacked all at once, this will jump start Haiti's infrastructure. Provided that no one steals the funds.
I agree, if Haiti would get this help, it would decrease the burden on DR.
And we might even stop hearing all does so called worried soul, say that DR as to be more accepting and helpfull. But unfortunately ( I dont want to be a pessimist) the UN and the rest of the World, wont help... They did not in 1993 when everything went to hell and the UN backout so fast, they never got off the boat... The world as nothing to gain from helping Haiti,Kenya or Somalia....
Imagine not getting enough to eat, not living in decent housing, not being able to go to school, no electricity, no potable water, no proper medical care etc...for a large segment of the population
This is ( also) reality for a great majority of Dominicains.
But historically speaking, money alone will not change the situation. When you have lived in this type of situation for generations, where corruption, violence,lack of all basic necessities is the norm, It takes community organization, education, rebuilding of Social structures, healing ( physically and psychologically) and more. Money will help get this accomplished but it will take a overall willingness to change the make a durable change.
I hear you.
But, when people throw things like the mentality of the people out there wantonly, it's is subjected to misinterpretation.
The "mentality" of which the poster speaks of is not some inherent freak of nature rather it's caused by systematic abuse.
We must be careful not to point fingers and label people based on our perception when we have not lived a day in their shoes. Make that 1000 days.
In this situation, MONEY is a major factor because it can provide an overall better environment. Healthy environment produces an healthy mind.
So I agree that the WILL of the people can make a change, but you'd have to believe in a positive change without ever having witnessed anything remotely close to IDEAL.
http://www.internationalreportingproject.org/stories/detail/378/
http://www.caribbeannetnews.com/article.php?news_id=18636
http://www.heritagekonpa.com/IDB%....irrigation%20drainage%20Haiti.htm
http://www1.american.edu/TED/haitirice.htm
http://topics.nytimes.com/top/new....s/haiti/index.html?inline=nyt-geo
S.