September 3, 2024
The World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) Resource Mobilization Director, Dirk Reinermann, completed a three-day visit to Haiti on Friday, August 30. During the visit, the priorities of the new administration were discussed and the World Bank’s commitment to continue fighting extreme poverty in Haiti was underscored.
Mr. Reinermann – accompanied by the Country Director for the Caribbean, Lilia Burunciuc and the Resident Representative of the International Finance Corporation for the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Ronke-Amoni Ogunsulire, met with HE the Prime Minister, Dr. Garry Conille, the Minister of Finance, Ketleen Florestal, members of the cabinet, development partners and other key stakeholders.
“We have had very important discussions with the government, donor partners, and civil society organizations on how we can further maximize the impact of World Bank investments in Haiti. IDA contributes to peace and stability, reaches the poorest people, and produces sustainable results,” said Dirk Reinermann, IDA Director of Resource Mobilization. “IDA is committed to continuing its support to Haiti to address the key drivers of fragility and poverty in the country.”
During the mission, the World Bank delegation highlighted the importance of completing the consultation process for the new Country Partnership Framework, as well as the preparation of the eligibility note to access the Fragility, Violence and Conflict (FCV) Envelope. The FCV Envelope is a World Bank mechanism dedicated to countries affected by fragility, violence and conflict. If approved, it will be an opportunity for Haiti to benefit from additional funds to finance the response efforts to the current crisis and help address the underlying causes of violence.
The delegation also visited projects in the southern region of the country as well as the new site of the National Emergency Operations Center of the General Directorate of Civil Protection, financed in part by the World Bank’s International Development Association under the Haiti Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience Project. While more than 80 percent of the World Bank’s IDA-supported programs – currently valued at $1.3 billion – are implemented outside Port-au-Prince, in communities where the security situation is more stable, the needs of the poor are addressed through responses to food insecurity, disaster risk management, building resilient infrastructure, and supporting urban development.
The International Development Association (IDA) is the World Bank’s arm that helps low-income countries. IDA’s grants and low-interest loans help countries invest in their future, improve lives, and create safer, more prosperous communities around the world. IDA is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world’s 75 low-income countries and the largest source of donor funds for basic social services in these countries.