Assistance to Farmers in the Southern Part of the Republic of Haiti Affected by Hurricane through the FAO's Project to Improve Food Self-sufficiency

February 28, 2007

The Government of Japan has decided to extend, through the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 90-million yen in assistance for a project of the Republic of Haiti to improve food self-sufficiency, thus helping farmers affected by hurricane. Notes to this effect were exchanged on February 27 (Tue) in Rome between Mr. Yuji Nakamura, Japanese Ambassador to Italy, and Mr. Hervé Lejeune, Assistant Director-General/Director de Cabinet of the FAO.
The Republic of Haiti is a LLDC in the Western Hemisphere, with 75% of its population of about 8.3 million living on two dollars or less a day. On top of that, the country is in the middle of a hurricane route, and from June to October every year suffers from hurricanes and other natural disasters. It is estimated that from 2004 to 2006, the agricultural industry of Haiti suffered more than 3,300 million yen in losses. The southern part of Haiti is particularly vulnerable: petty farmers and agricultural production were greatly damaged by natural disaster; drought from 2004 to 2005, and hurricanes Dennis, Wilma and Alpha in 2005 and hurricane Ernest in 2006.
To help farmers in the southern part of Haiti (South Department and Grande Anse Department) mainly afflicted by hurricanes in 2005 and 2006, the FAO has formulated a project to distribute cereal and vegetable seeds, farm equipment and fruit trees, with a view to raising food self-sufficiency and ameliorating the effect of natural disasters, and has requested Japan's cooperation. It is hoped that more than 15,000 households will be benefited by the project.
Japan's assistance is expected to contribute to raising Haiti's agricultural productivity and restoring the economic independence of the farmers affected.

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