Haiti granted US$30m for housing reconstruction

The World Bank has approved a US$30 million grant to Haiti to help residents of some of the most severely earthquake-affected areas in the capital, Port-au-Prince, start repairing or rebuilding their homes.

The Washington-based financial institution said the programme would benefit about 140,000 residents in Port-au-Prince.

The January 12 earthquake destroyed an estimated 115,000 houses in and around Port-au-Prince and left some 14,500 others with severe damage and 167,000 with moderate damages.

The World Bank said 1.3 million people had to seek shelter in temporary camps.

"This project builds on the important concerted efforts being deployed by central and local governments as well as communities in Haiti's reconstruction," said Yvonne Tsikata, World Bank Director for the Caribbean.

"This grant recognises their collective efforts and provides additional resources so they can continue restoring basic services and creating economic opportunities for local residents," she added.

The World Bank said the Urban Community Driven Development Project seeks to improve access to basic infrastructure and services, including removal of earthquake debris, repair and reconstruction of houses, and repair and improvement of community infrastructure.

The bank said the project will work directly with the municipalities of Port-au-Prince and that its support for housing reconstruction in Haiti is closely aligned with the Interim Haiti Reconstruction Commission's Draft Framework for Neighbourhood Reconstruction and Upgrading, currently being reviewed by the Government of Haiti.

"Moving people out of camps and creating the conditions for their safe return to the original neighbourhoods is one of the most pressing needs and is also key for improving their life condition and security situation," said Ronald Baudin, Haiti's minister of economy and finance.

The World Bank Group has pledged US$479 million to Haiti - half already delivered and the rest to to be disbursed by mid-2011 - inclusive of debt relief.

- CMC