Haitians are widely recognized as the strongest and most resilient nation with profound dignity, often characterized by their strength, capacity to survive in challenging circumstances, and pride as the world’s first independent Black republic. Haiti is a trailblazer for economic freedom and human dignity and it is the land of freedom.

Despite enduring intense sociopolitical instability, natural disasters, and economic and humanitarian crises, Haitians refuse to succumb to despair, instead pushing for justice, sovereignty, and self-determination.The Economics of Aid through UN agencies paralyzes and exacerbate Haiti’s dependence for the past 4 decades, yet Haitian people still believe and hope for a better tomorrow and more prosperous future.

As one of first nations to join the United Nations, it is the only country in UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s #LCDs List in the Western Hemisphere. For too long, Haiti is on the ranks of victimized economies and its colonial history continue to sabotage its international relationships and being the porn of all failed trade agreements, economic embargos, and political maneuvering to only be listed as a Humanitarian and failed state. According the major media, Haiti is the capital of NGOs while this title is nonsencical, Haiti has any headquarter for any UN agencies and international organizations.

Haiti was the first to break the chains of slavery and colonialism, Haiti holds a unique position of pride and independence. However, this pride comes with hefty price with colonial spirit, mentality, and lack of trust .

Roots of Development published a recent article “Emergency Funding or Entrenched Dependency? The Politics of Aid in Haiti,” in collaboration with Funders Coalition for Haitian-led Development: Ayiti Community Trust, ESPWA, Inc- Economic Stimulus Projects for Work and Action and other organizations Ansara Family Fund, The Dalton Foundation, Haiti Development Institute, Network of Engaged International Donors (NEID Global) where they pointed clearly and fully the structural and fundamental issues at stake and why so Haiti still remains on the juggle of aidor simply are dependent upon aid with UN's political and Humanatarian agencies.

Haiti doesn't need economic aid with short term consequences, Haiti need more so private investment with long-term economic outcomes to restore Haitian dignity.

In this article, they described how international aid agencies are impoverishing Haiti as the same mistakes of past 4 decades kept repeating with no accountability, responsibility, and counter claims against these nefarious practices…

They also explained that three UN consortia of groups will receive a disbursement of $125 million from US government into the UN’s Regional Pooled Fund for Haiti and the majority will go to UN agencies, including the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the IOM - UN Migration (IOM). The other consortia include major international organizations like Save the Children International, Plan International, Mercy Corps, Solidarité international - Vitry, Acted, and others.

While it may seem that these funds offer a much-needed lifeline to communities facing extreme hardship, the structure and timeline of this funding risk both prolonging the crisis and undermining Haiti’s long-term ability to recover from it. And though many of the recipient organizations recognize this reality and are pushing to change the terms of the funding, they are likely to accept the money no matter the final decision. The specific terms for these funds are ever-shifting, but the overall strategy is clear–the United States Government will fund a fleet of international organizations to implement externally-driven initiatives in some of the most vulnerable and insecure areas of Haiti. Thirty percent of the money is expected to be used for cash transfers–distributing money to individuals and families identified as particularly vulnerable or “in-need” for them to spend as they see fit. While this can help to bolster families’ ability to provide for themselves in the short-term, it can also be easily compromised in conflict-affected areas. The Funders Coalition for Haitian-led Development(FCHLD) gave a joint response to the funding and call to action for the members of the recipient consortia and stop plaguing the country of this economic aid malaise.

Economic Aid often channels through international NGOs and agencies rather than local institutions through a network of donors. Haiti is labeled as an "aid state" which is a country with most international assistance and economic aid of all international NGOs, with no office headquarters in Haiti. As the recipient of major donations, Haiti a pass-through country with all aid received, it simply means the total aid is collected , yet it never reaches the masses in forms of modern infrastructure, modern roads& bridges, and commercial hubs , and so on. Yet Haiti is the only country on the Least Developed Countries ( hashtag#LCDs ) list in the western hemisphere with a wide gap on aid and exptreme poverty.

Aid system fosters more dependency, stifles private investment and local capacity building, and fails by design to reduce extreme poverty in Haiti and to help graduate Haiti from UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD) ’s hashtag#LDCs List. There is no macroeconomic to plan or urban agenda graduate Haiti to build a modern society like Singapore, Arabia Saudi, or Norway.

Haiti has been named the NGO capital of the world with decades of aid or economic assistance, totaling over $20 billion, yet the country is still the poorest nation with no international NGOs Headquarters Office in Haiti.

Haitians are known for their ability to thrive and create opportunities for themselves and their families, even when facing extreme scarcity and danger. The problem is, when aid is compounded at that level, is miminized Haitian people's potential and capability to build their local communities, create new and scalable products and successful projects with long-term outcomes.

A Breakdown of Aid Model in Haiti and Why it is Detrimental to Haiti Economy.

__The economic aid largely bypasses the Haitian government where funds are directed towards these International Agencies and UN Agencies to namely help Haiti.

— NGOs hire international consulting firms for implementation and A tiny fraction of the funding goes to support local projects in severe humanitarian relief efforts instead of funding high performing private projects.

—Once funds are raised, the majority of these funds gets back to donor-country firms or organizations through staff members and board members located outside of Haiti and which undermines the development of self-sufficient local systems to grow employment opportunities. For example, Large-scale aid particularly during and after the 2010 earthquake clearly shows the exacerbation of aid malaise. This overlooked aspect of this aid cultivates a situation where Haiti relies on foreign entities for essential services, weakening local governance and institutions.

__A significant portion of economic aid does not reach the Haitian public sector nor local organizations, but goes to international contractors, consultants, and NGOs with high salaries & expense budget. The work that Funders Coalition for Haitian-led Development is critical in that lens;However, it needs to be more strategic, more formal, & legally sound to get all the support needed and advocacy for real change.

What Haiti needs to Develop its economy with International Relations.

Haiti needs large-scale and modern infrastructure funded by private investment from multilateral institutions like World bank Group, African Development Bank Group, and New Development Bank.

Haiti needs a stronger and active Diaspora Investor Network to fund local projects to derisk capital investment. Haitian direct investors are also seeking for momentum as they see economic, fiscal, and financial reforms are being considered to attract more private capital and empower local municipalities to build their capacity and capabilities to improve urban living with more afforbale public housing developments and simplify the business creation and protection of their assets among local and international competitors.

Haiti needs modern public housing development projects and urban development priorities supported by UN-Habitat (United Nations Human Settlements Programme) with a long term urban planning strategy. For Instance, The SDG Cities Flagship Programme helps cities to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals through a value chain that brings strategic urbn planning , institutional capacity development, and investment in impact. Through the SDG Cities Flagship Programme, UN-Habitat aims to have a positive impact on one million lives in some 1,000.00 cities through the adoptionof an integrated and systematic approach that combines evidence-based policymakers, digitized tools, digital capacity support, technical backstopping and matchmaking, finances with catalytic and impactful projects that promote the implementation of the Goals.

— Haiti needs renewable energy sources through sustainable independent energy agencies like Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL)to drive faster action twards universal access to energy and reduce emissions and improve energy access across its cities. This independent organization works to ensure a clean energy transition that leaves no one behind and brings new opportunity for everyone to fulfill their potential

This organization will help catalyze sustainable energy production and development in Haiti in partnership with UN and Haitian municipal governments and other energy stakeholders. With energy production reaching full capacity of Haitian households and businesses, local municipalities will see a a dramatic increase of business revenue and tax revenue to tackle large-scale economic development projects which will help strenghten local communities and and empower local businesses and citizens as they continue to grow and thrive.

How To Work with Bilateral Partners to Build a More Urbanized Country.

This systemic dependency of foreign economic aid is depriving Haiti of its economic potential and undermining its next generation of a better and more prosperous future. It is as evident that economic aid does nothing but to asphyxiate the poor and widening the gap.

The fact the Haitian government is weak,poor, and dysfunctional is not the right approach to stop the long-and overdue economic transformation of Haiti. Haiti is is one of the oldest independent colonies since 1804 in the region after the US. We must stop blaming poor government, yet to help institutionalize good governance with modern procurement mechanisms to benefit with modern and large scale development projects with state-of-art design and architecture like Rwanda with a modern stadium, business districts and commmunity housing districts .

So, Haiti has too many UN or International humanitarian or political agencies vying for its survival. They harm more local talent and local government as their aid is temporary, while thse local goverments rely on their external funding support, they don't build long term partnership for trade negotations with mega cities through sister city collaborations and talent development programs. or business cross promotion and contractual agreements internally and externally to increase their revenue.

Honestly what Haiti really needs structural reforms and these pro-business agencies can help local governments and equip them with efficient and effective policies to run their governments by accelerating major urban development agendas. They can help with better urban planning policies, regional economic development agendas, and modern infrastructure plans to meet these socioeconomic challengesof their cities and communities.

To foster real economic impact and long term urban growth plan, Local Haitian government through an Independently managed fund should receive at least 50 percent of all funding deployed to support Haitian local communities where needs are assessesed for projects to be build or implemented to help create more long term jobs, training development, and poverty reduction. As they strengthen local capacity building and invest in human capital instead of cash distribution, they will maximize the Haitian real value and increase their employability and creativity. As a result, local government will be incentized to promote talent development, increase jon placement opportunities with more agencies seeking to qualify their best talent for new and existing jobs as the job market is shifting with new technologies and international companies are seeking new markets for growth and cheaper labor.

So, any foreign funding that will support Haiti from international organizations should be vetted and unless they won't support local governments to build their capacity , they project will won't get any approval or get implemented . Should the local and Haitian-led organizations get the funding support for mega development projects with Public Private Partnerships (#PPPs) as they hire local talent with a minimum budget, they will have a green light. Because these jobs will be permanently able and available within these Haitian communities to improve livelihoods and living standards of these residents over a long haul compared to international or UN agencies who only contract individuals for a fixed time period or give them cash or food distribution to these local residents.

By emphasizing independent auditing processes of these international institutions to ensure they can support high growth sectors & local and Haitian-led organizations with more social impact, they can indeed help catalyze in the success of local businesses to empower the communities which they operate. As a result, more profitable and impactful ventures will be funded and backed as funding becomes accessible. More Haitian business leaders, founders, and creators will be incentivized to build their businesses and will be focused to create scalable and successful products and build-to-last companies that are investable and growth-oriented.

A New Economic Narrative To Be Born for economic transformation of Haiti

Haiti needs long term partners to help it unlock the billions to build large scale infrastructure , modernize its cities to improve the lives of its people and empower its citizens over the 3-5 decades. This is where comes the Social&Local Multiplier Effect to be fully implemented as more UN humanitarian agencies can back up businesses that empower their communities to get out of extreme poverty. This new economic narrative will transform Haitian cities and communities as they have concrete and tangible solutions for growth and prosperity.

The Social& Local Multiplier Effect will be economic measure for conversion of real economic impact of aid to local Haitian communities as they help and support Haitian-led businesses that are doing business in these communities. The SLME will help look for money spent at locally-owned and social business ventures in these local areas that translate into long-term job creation and economic opportunity for growth. By supporting financially these Haitian-led businesses and organizations, they will strengthen strategic sectors in these Haitian communities that lack of banking loans, and credit to fund their business operations. So, instead of funding big budgets of their internationally-based nonprofit organizations with an expensive staff, they will redirect the funds for real and local economic impact in Haiti to give Haitian businesses a higher chance to thrive locally.

Haiti economy will be brighter and the future Haitian businesses will be flourishing with Social & Local Multiplier Effect as this becomes a new economic model for regional economic development in Haiti. Haiti needs collaborations, not conversations over the next 3-5 decades on key issues like energy, urban infrastructure, security, internet access, and employability.

Haiti needs strategic partnership with international institutions and independent agencies like Global Citizen, International Development Institute (IDI) , The Culturist Group, Destinations International , or Resonance . These independent agencies and international organizations can help on acquiring better procurement mechanisms to accomodate large scale development projects for Haitian cities funded through Public Private Partnerships (#PPPs). For instance, The International Development Institute (IDI) can help promote development programs through training, study visits, knowledge exchange, capacity building and consulting. They provide these services to city officials from developping countries, NGOs, and international organizations to equip their personnel with adequate knowledge and processes to ensure their capaciy building and institutional strenghtening are sustained and improved...

Haiti also needs long-term international financial institutions for external capital and expertise in urban development to stimulate growth and development. These multilateral development banks ( #MDBs) can help fill the gap in funding as local Haitian cities and governments don't have adequate capital both privately and publicly to fund these large scale development projects. Leanr more about (#MDBs) or ( #PDBs) from Finance in Common here <iframe src="https://www.linkedin.com/embed/feed/update/urn:li:ugcPost:7448004909628604417?collapsed=1" height="541" width="504" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" title="Embedded post"></iframe>

🇭🇹 For this Regional Development Agenda to take shape and urbanize Haitian cities and foster economic growth, Haiti needs to gain access to financial resources and technical assistance from these multilateral development banks to help diversify the Haiti economy with different financial instruments such as lending to governments and private sector, grants, equity investments to scale the size of their projects so they are economically-viable, feasible , and investor-ready.

Because with an inclusive and sustainable growth agenda, Haiti can help finance the most urgent needs of its population and attract its diaspora to be more participative in the economic development and growth through a Diaspora Investor Network.

🇭🇹The Social&Local Multiplier Effect indeed can help strengthen social and ciivic entures that promote economic development, profitability, & prosperity in Haiti through third party reporting, indexing, auditing, and data analyzing to provide contextual information these concessionary and international financial lenders, private investors, and diaspora direct investors.

🇭🇹Creating new funding mechanisms can strengthen the Diaspora Investor Network to accelerate private sector investment & development in Haiti. However, the private capital can be fully derisked through international development agencies of the The World Bank Group's International Development Association (IDA), German Organisation For Technical Cooperation( Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH ), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency(SIDA), Department for International Development (DFID) and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)that are mandated to reduce poverty and drive urban growth and economic development. To have the Full list of International development agencies for poverty rduction and urban development. Click here

To contribute to a more urban and developed Haiti in next 25 years and beyond, take The Economic Pledge to help graduate Haiti from the UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD)'s List of the Least Developed Countries ( #LDCs) with Haiti Vision 2050.

Follow Economic Planning Council and join us on this journey 🇭🇹🇭🇹…

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******There is limited information on regional economic development to euip haitian cities with better urban programs to develop their cities independently. This publication will be updated as more information are available so Haitian officials in their respective municipalities to work on modernizing their cities and create better opportunities for citizens. If anyone organization or individual are are ready to support or collaborate with Haiti Executive Board, please reach out to our team by email at : [email protected] so the work can continue to bear fruit for Haitian people and their communities.