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USAID Awards CHF International 4-Year Groundbreaking Job Creation & Infrasturcture Program in Haiti

CHF International

Date: 3 Jan 2007

The United States Agency for International Development Awards CHF International a Four-Year Job Creation and Infrastructure Program in Haiti

CHF International has been awarded funding for a 4-year job creation and infrastructure program in Haiti by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The program relies on the commitment of its key partners, the Government of Haiti, local partners, and the communities. These stakeholders will drive the identification, implementation, and maintenance of large-scale employment-generating projects in the five target cities of Port-au-Prince, Gonaives, St Marc, Petit Goave, and Cap Haitien.

The integrated approach will assist an estimated 86,100 people through employment over the life of the program, including at least 1,400 people who will receive their first paycheck within the first 60 days.

The program comes at a critical time, given Haiti?s formal unemployment rate of more than 60%, frequent natural disasters, and lack of basic infrastructure, which have left many struggling to survive. Known for its commitment to stability in fragile states and strong community-based approach, CHF International has already had extensive meetings with government bodies and communities to identify projects that can begin to immediately.

?The linkages this program will create among the private sector, the local authorities, and the communities are pivotal,? said William Holbrook, CHF/Haiti?s Chief of Party for the JOBS Program, who has extensive knowledge of the country. He added, ?We are fostering a space in the economy for everyday citizens to participate, reinforcing economic opportunity, which is the country?s best prospect to achieve long-term stability and peace.?

Along with creating employment through key infrastructure projects, the program will leverage private sector resources with workforce development training, to ensure that the program creates and sustains at least 10,000 long-term, durable jobs. CHF?s demand-driven and flexible approach is anticipated to build stability in the five key volatile urban areas through job creation and strategic infrastructure investments that will be operated, maintained and sustained by the Haitian stakeholders, and benefit over 600,000 people.

CHF International, a leading organization in international humanitarian assistance, has had an active presence in Haiti for over two decades, managing environmental job creation programs and tropical storm reconstruction initiatives.

Founded in 1952, CHF International?s mission is to be a catalyst for long-lasting positive change in low- and moderate-income communities around the world, helping families improve their economic circumstances, environment and infrastructure. CHF has worked in nearly 100 countries worldwide since its inception.

For more information, please contact Ann Lee at alee@haiti.chfinternational.org or Jennifer Hyman at jhyman@chfinternational.org