IFAD Response to the Crisis in Haiti

In the aftermath of the devastating 7.0 earthquake in Port-au-Prince, a team of IFAD staff led by Josefina Stubbs PL Director arrived in Santo Domingo Haiti to assess impacts on the agricultural sector and damage to infrastructure in the earthquake zone. The team comprised Marco Camagni, CPM, Audrey Nepveu, PT, Maija Peltola, APO, Jean-Jacques Gariglio, senior consultant, Jorge Pina, Infrastructure Specialist and Zoumana Bamba, PA.

The objective of the mission is to start the implementation of the Response Plan. The focus of the mission work will be:
(i) the analysis of existing information on post-earthquake situation in rural areas;
(ii) close coordination with other development partners, including UN agencies, IFIs, bilateral agencies and international and national NGOs;
(iii) design of up to two small grants to finance projects aimed at helping small farmers to restore agricultural production and economic activity.

For this purpose, the mission is working in the Dominican Republic from 27 January to 5 February 2010, where a workshop with GOH representatives, IFAD country team, and development partners, including the WB, FAO, WFP, UNDP, and NGOs will be organized. The mission will also meet in the border area with Haiti with representatives of MARNDR and MEF, the IFAD country team and development partners and NGOs.

That is to introduce you to the purpose of the mission. Tomorrow I will give you more information with photographs on the meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, IFAD-funded project staff in Haiti and development partners.