Haiti to Improve Social Services with IDB Support

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) approved $110 million from its Grant Facility to improve food security, health, and the inclusion of vulnerable children and youth in Haiti.   

The funds will support household income to sustain food consumption by financing unconditional cash transfers for 165,000 people and transfers conditional to the participation in small works for the creation, restoration, and maintenance of community assets selected by the communities. This will benefit 7,400 workers and their families – approximately 37,000 individuals.  

The initiative will improve access and use of integrated essential healthcare services. It will finance a community-based, integrated, and progressive essential care package, focusing on mother and child health and nutrition, including facility-based delivery and the management of obstetric complications. The project will also address family planning and care for gender-based violence survivors and provide community-based and primary level services to control and prevent HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria, as well as the detection and care of patients with chronic conditions.  

The expansion and strengthening of the integrated health network, which will benefit 1.5 million people, will include hospital repairs and the procurement of key health supplies (vaccines, medicines, equipment, and parts).  

The funds will also finance vouchers to remove economic barriers, such as transportation costs, and to provide subsidies for maternity waiting homes and out-of-pocket expenses, prioritizing subsidies for people with disabilities.  

In addition, the project will finance activities to increase the inclusion of youth and children, through the Reach Up and Learn curriculum and learning materials for children 6 months to three years in Haiti's Southeastern department.  

The initiative will also finance youth entrepreneurship incubation hubs for around 750 entrepreneurs, including outreach, selection, training, and support activities for youth entrepreneurs and a gender-inclusive initiative tailored for women entrepreneurs. 

The project will improve at least four multipurpose hubs for youths in fragile neighborhoods, covering minor repairs, maintenance, site equipment, and trainers, benefiting around 20,000 vulnerable youth.