In light of recent incidents due to a sharp increase in the cost of
living and rising concerns of food insecurity, IOM in Haiti is
looking to expand its infrastructure programme to provide more
labour and income-generation opportunities to impoverished Haitians
while also making long-term investments in infrastructure and
agricultural projects.

Since 2004, IOM has contributed to Haiti's economy through the
implementation and funding of more than 1,400 community-based
projects totalling USD 28 million, mainly through its USAID-funded
Programme de Revitalisation et de Promotion de l'Entente et de la
Paix (PREPEP by its French acronym) and the Haiti Stabilization
Initiative (HSI). 

These IOM programmes have increased economic opportunities in
volatile and poor neighbourhoods in Haiti's six major urban
centres.  Over the past two years, more than 38,000 short-term
jobs have been created through these programmes, a critical source
of income for residents in poor communities.

More than 80 per cent of Haitians are unemployed and recent
statistics show that the majority of the population lives on less
than USD 2 per day.  This grinding poverty has been deepened
by soaring food prices, which resulted in violent demonstrations
across the country.

IOM's approach focuses on implementing community-led initiatives
that target public infrastructure for rehabilitation.  The
strategy is to significantly reduce the influence of gangs by
revitalizing local governance and economies, while at the same time
promoting the rule of law.  Projects include construction or
rehabilitation of public infrastructure such as roads, public
utilities, parks and schools.

According PREPEP's Programme Manager, Rodney Babe, "In the
months leading up to the present food crisis, IOM had placed
additional emphasis on substantive labour-intensive projects in
marginalized communities.  We're actively pursuing all means
possible to assist in this critical moment of social
upheaval.  But significant additional funds to address both
short-term food needs and to increase long-term agricultural
production are needed."

In recent weeks, IOM also launched community violence reduction
initiatives in Port-au-Prince funded by the UN Stabilization
Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and implemented in close coordination
with the municipalities of Port-au-Prince and Cité
Soleil.  These initiatives will continue offering
income-generation opportunities to Haiti's most impoverished
communities, giving them access to basic nutrition needs and other
essential commodities.

For more information, please contact:

Matthew van Geest

IOM Haiti

Tel +509 38487675

E-mail: "mailto:mvangeest@iom.int">mvangeest@iom.int 

or

Frislain Isidor

Tel: +509 36056004

E-mail: "mailto:fisidor@iom.int">fisidor@iom.int