On Tuesday, March 11, 2025, as part of the new Project to Improve Food Security through Sustainable Agriculture, Local Economic Development, and Healthy Diets (EFOSE), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Government of Haiti signed a USD 23.6 million grant agreement in Rome.

The project targets the Southeast Department, due to its high food insecurity and vulnerability to climate shocks, as well as its agricultural and commercial potential. Rural households in this region barely manage on a subsistence diet of cereals and lack adequate access to health services. 43% lack access to safe drinking water, 21.5% of children under 5 suffer from stunted growth, and 39.4% of women suffer from anemia.

EFOSE's main objective is to improve the food security of more than 21,000 rural households by investing in better agricultural and business practices, providing both capital and training to farmers, and supporting vegetable gardens. The project will also invest in climate-resilient production infrastructure, including individual and community cisterns to improve access to drinking water, repair irrigation infrastructure and priority roads, and increase the resilience of 1,000 hectares of watersheds against climate shocks.

"This new project demonstrates IFAD's commitment to supporting the country, particularly at this critical time [...] Our investments in long-term sustainable rural development and food production in the country complement the humanitarian response and contribute to building the foundations for peace and stability in the country," said Alvaro Lario, President of IFAD.

Despite the worsening security crisis in Haiti in recent years, IFAD projects have continued their operations, with the successful completion of two projects in 2024 that have contributed to increased food production, rural incomes, and the adoption of sustainable production technologies. With the upcoming launch of the EFOSE project and the ongoing implementation of the Inclusive Blue Economy project, IFAD is committed to supporting more than 45,000 Haitian households over the next six years.

Since it began operations in Haiti nearly 45 years ago, IFAD has intervened in the country through 12 projects, totaling approximately $314 million, benefiting hundreds of thousands of rural families.

HL/ HaitiLibre