May 10, 2022
World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, concluded a four-day visit to Haiti on May 4, 2002. During this first trip to Haiti as Vice President, Carlos Felipe Jaramillo renewed the World Bank’s continued commitment to supporting the country hit by multiple crises impacting its economic development, including the earthquake August 2021, against a backdrop of prolonged socio-political tensions and the COVID 19 pandemic.
Mr. Jaramillo, accompanied by the Country Director for the Caribbean, Ms. Lilia Burunciuc and the Resident Representative of the International Finance Corporation (IFC) for the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Carolina Cardenas, met with HE Prime Minister Dr. Ariel Henry, members of the government including the Minister of Economy and Finance Michel Patrick Boisvert, the country’s development partners and other key players.
“Over the past few days, I have witnessed the admirable accomplishments of the Haitian people in such overwhelming circumstances,” said Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, World Bank Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean. “The World Bank is working in partnership with the Government of Haiti to address key drivers of fragility and poverty. Going forward, it is clear that improving the business climate, restoring macroeconomic stability and strengthening governance systems will be key to building human capital, promoting employment and fostering economic recovery”.
During this trip, Mr. Jaramillo visited the southern region of Haiti, which is still recovering from the earthquake of August 2021, and had the opportunity to visit several projects financed by the World Bank, including the construction of the new temporary bridge over the Grand’Anse River and a dispensary. The delegation also met farmers who benefit from World Bank investment programs aimed at strengthening local food production systems, interviewed families who benefit from unconditional cash transfers and measures aimed at improving health, nutrition and financial inclusion of the poorest households affected by the earthquake.
As of June 30, the World Bank’s active portfolio in Haiti will include 20 projects with a total value of $1.3 billion, representing an increase in commitments of nearly 40% over the past 12 months. A major effort has been made to support the country after the August 2021 earthquake that affected the southern peninsula. Last February, a donors’ conference mobilized $600 million, of which nearly $200 million was committed by the World Bank. In addition, the World Bank Group’s portfolio in Haiti includes eight IFC projects, amounting to $141 million. IFC is also providing emergency support to the private sector, including the apparel sector, to scale up production of personal protective equipment for disaster response.