The earthquake of January 2012, has exacerbated a critical situation in employment in Haiti, already marked by high unemployment and low economic growth. Therefore, job creation has been at the heart of many projects implemented with the support of the United Nations.

Emergency and creation of High Intensity Labour Jobs :

More than 470,000 temporary jobs created (40% women). Cash for Work, Food for Work and Cash for Production programmes contributed to clean the Haitian capital Port-au-Prince and other cities strongly damaged by the earthquake. In rural areas, they helped rehabilitate small infrastructures and protect watersheds to increase agriculture production. Overall, these initiatives allowed Haitians, both men and women, to earn a living at a critical time. [ILO, FAO, MINUSTAH, IOM, WFP, UNEP, UNOPS].

More than 800 vulnerable women trained and accompanied in business creation and hundreds of Haitians trained on small business management to facilitate their participation in the local economy. [ILO]

The UN helped identify beneficiaries in hard-stricken areas. The business models in strategic sectors of the Haitian economy were determined, and advocacy activities were conducted to promote employment, especially for vulnerable women.

Boost the agricultural sector

Local production of milk for schools increased through UN

support, reaching 28,000 children in 72 schools.

Overall, the quantity of food purchased by the UN locally

went from 566 metric tons in 2009 to 3,400 metric tons in

2012. [WFP] Purchasing food locally is a way to support local farmers, improve food security and stimulate a key sector of the economy.

Challenges and perspectives

Access to jobs :

The UN works with the relevant state institutions to develop norms for the creation of job and business centres in metropolitan areas, as well as in rural sites, to facilitate access to the job market. Support is also provided to reform the vocational training sector to better adapt it to the needs of the economy.

National employment policy defined :

The UN also supports the elaboration of a national employment policy focusing on the institutional strengthening of the Ministry of Economy and Finances, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training.

Low access to funding for micro and small businesses :

The UN works on the regulation framework to improve

access to credit for micro and small businesses.

95% of small to middle businesses are informal :

The UN supports the Government and partners from the private sector to facilitate the formal registration process of businesses.

Markets and strong sectors of the national economy are isolated :

The UN supports the Government and partners from the private sector to facilitate the formal registration process of businesses. Furthermore, the cultural and tourism sectors will be promoted through the creation of cultural and tourism poles.(UNESCO)

HL/ HaitiLibre