March 18, 2022
The World Bank’s Board of Directors has approved a grant of US$102 million for the Resilient Agriculture for Food Security (PARSA) Project. The Board also approved additional funding of US$30 million for the Accessibility and Rural Resilience project in Haiti. . The first project will support approximately 75,000 households in the agricultural sector (approximately 375,000 beneficiaries) with a view to improving access to food security, guaranteeing rural livelihoods and strengthening resilience to climatic hazards. The transportation project will enhance all-weather road accessibility in earthquake-affected areas and improve the resilience of the road network.
“The powerful earthquake of 2021 caused significant damage in the southern peninsula. It has aggravated the already worrying food insecurity in these departments as thousands of farmers have lost their livelihoods as well as their access to markets. The project will notably support sustainable agriculture and land management practices, as well as the rehabilitation of rural infrastructure, in order to promote more resilient local food production systems and ensure inclusive economic growth,” said Laurent Msellati, Head of World Bank Operations in Haiti . “The World Bank is working to improve food security and pursue poverty reduction efforts in Haiti, particularly in the most remote rural areas of the country. »
The population of Haiti suffers from very high levels of food insecurity and malnutrition. According to the most recent Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) estimates, in September 2021, 4.4 million people were in crisis. This number is expected to rise to 4.6 million by June 2022 due to reduced access to basic foodstuffs as incomes remain low and prices rise. In addition, the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as droughts, floods and storms, have a detrimental effect on crops, infrastructure and agricultural assets, affecting rural livelihoods.
The Resilient Agriculture for Food Security Project (PARSA) will boost the agricultural sector through the rehabilitation of productive infrastructure and the creation of temporary employment opportunities, in-kind grants and technical support to promote increased access and availability nutritious foods. The project will strongly target women as beneficiaries, as they play a leading role in agricultural production and sales. The project will be implemented both in regions facing serious food security problems and in areas affected by the earthquake, namely the departments of the South, Grand’Anse, Nippes and Center.
Additional funding for the Haiti Rural Accessibility and Resilience Project will focus on the road segments most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, including flooding and landslides in the southern peninsula. The August 2021 earthquake affected more than 850 km of the road network in the southern region of the country, resulting in damages of up to $160 million and leaving more than 450,000 people isolated. This situation has increased the vulnerability of the rural population as parts of the country remain disconnected for days or weeks after natural disasters.
Additionally, the project will integrate nature-based solutions into the engineering design, wherever possible, with a focus on solutions that have proven to be effective, sustainable and environmentally friendly.