The images of flattened buildings andtent cities that dominated the news following the Haitianearthquake of January 12, 2010 triggered an emergencyresponse from the global aid and development community.Foreign governments, multilateral organizations includingthe World Bank, and NGOs dramatically increased the flow offunding to the devastated country. The money helped pay foremergency relief but also for higher public investmentspending that sought to repair damage and press ahead withdevelopment projects that had begun before the disaster. Sixyears later, the flow of aid is declining, and Haiti facespivotal challenges: how to adapt to the reductions, raisemore resources internally, spend more efficiently, andsafeguard the fragile social gains it has achieved in a timeof extreme hardship. The infrastructure Haiti has acquiredin the recent surge of investment is something like a newlybuilt house that lacks furniture and running water, it maylook good from the outside but does little for itsoccupants. For the present, life remains a struggle for mostof the country’s 10.4 million people. Thus in addition togrowth, the country needs policies that will fosterinclusiveness. Analysis and past experience suggest that twofactors are key: human capital and political stability. Toachieve this goal, Haiti will require a new outlook favoringfair, efficient government and social inclusiveness.
PDF
download
878987797
028-85220240
