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2004-103

Contact: USAID Press Office

Washington D.C. - The United States is launching a $100 million hurricane recovery program from Congressionally provided funds to assist the nations of the Caribbean hit by the recent hurricanes in the region. This additional $100 million will bring the total U.S. response to the disasters in the Caribbean up to $46 million for Haiti, $46.7 million for Grenada, $22.2 million for Jamaica and $2.5 million for other islands. The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will administer this program.

The U.S. assistance program in Haiti will support reconstruction and recovery in the affected departments of Artibonite and Nord-Ouest which were badly hit by the disastrous floods of Hurricane Jeanne this past September. This support will be directed at both urban and rural areas that sustained heavy loss of life and damage to public infrastructure. USAID will repair roads, urban drainage systems, schools, health facilities and water and sanitation systems. The program will assist households most affected by loss of incomes from small farms and micro businesses. In addition, irrigation systems will be repaired and initial steps will be taken to stabilize the surrounding hillside lands to help guard against damage from future storms.

The U.S. assistance program in Grenada will include housing assistance, both self-help housing repair and new housing construction. USAID will also repair community centers, schools, markets, and water and sanitation systems. Assistance will strengthen local capacity to carry out the work and will create community-based income opportunities to engage beneficiaries, local NGOs, small contractors and community-based organizations. To generate employment opportunities and restore the livelihoods of those affected by the hurricane, USAID will rapidly rehabilitate agricultural, agri-business and fisheries sectors. Small and medium businesses, including the tourist industry, will receive assistance to help them get back to full operation as soon as possible. Furthermore, USAID will consult closely with the Government of Grenada and other donors regarding technical assistance and possible debt relief.

The U.S. assistance program in Jamaica will focus on the rebuilding of houses, schools, community centers and small business enterprises. Housing activities will emphasize self-help housing repair and new housing construction. Beneficiaries, local NGOs, small contractors and community-based organizations will work with USAID to carry out the program. Assistance to small and medium-sized business enterprises will include technical assistance, training and grants; there will be a special emphasis on agribusinesses, fisheries and the crafts sector. Efforts will be primarily designed to restore production and to generate employment.

Finally, other islands less affected by the recent hurricanes will receive assistance after consultations with their governments and CARICOM.