The Challenge

Following the 2010 earthquake that killed more than 220,000 people and crippled its administrative and economic infrastructure, Haiti received an outpouring of pledges for humanitarian assistance. Since that time, however, authorities have been struggling to respond simultaneously to the humanitarian crisis, reconstruction operations, and the planning of sustainable development. Local governments are dealing with limited and inexperienced human resources as well as diminishing financial and material resources. In the 2012 Human Development Report, Haiti was ranked 161 out of 187 countries.

How We Are Helping?

UNCDF has been helping Haiti to meet its development challenges by working to strengthen governance capacity at the local level. A joint UNCDF-UNDP programme, the Appui à la Gouvernance Locale dans le Département du Nord Est (AGLNE), aims to improve local stakeholder capacity in participatory planning, management of local infrastructure, restructuring of production zones and economic diversification. These objectives are pursued through three strategies: local capacity building in procurement and planning; promotion of gender equality by encouraging participation and leadership among women; and education to promote civic engagement.

In Detail