Haitian Americans who have long dreamed of creating jobs in Haiti, but lacked the capital, can now get a little help, courtesy of the US government.
Henrietta Fore, administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAid), said the agency has set up a $2m (£1m) investment fund to assist members of the Haitian diaspora who have a sustainable business plan and are willing to partner with Haiti's private sector to create jobs in the country.
"We are trying to get small and medium businesses that can provide employment, and put money in the pockets of Haitians," Fore said after making the announcement to a group of Haitians in New York, where she was making the rounds at the United Nations General Assembly. "This at least will get things started."
Fore said the agency is still in the process of designing the fund, known as The Haiti Diaspora Investment Challenge Facility, but applicants will be allowed to apply for up to $100,000 (£54,000) grants. Her agency is also talking to donors from other countries in hopes of having them donate money to the fund. "For every dollar we put in, we are hoping it will be matched by at least $2 by diaspora investments," she said.
On Wednesday, the US House of Representatives approved the inclusion of $100m for hurricane relief and reconstruction assistance to Haiti and other Caribbean nations the Consolidated Security, Disaster Assistance and Continuing Appropriations Act. Representatives Alcee Hastings and Kendrick Meek, both Florida Democrats and co-chairmen of the Congressional Black Caucus' Haiti Working Group, said they were encouraged by the vote.
Fore, who flew to Haiti shortly after hurricane Ike hit there, said USAid has committed $30m (£16) in emergency relief to the island so far, including $2m for emergency bridges to help reconnect the country after eight major bridges collapsed.
Also, with more than half of this year's harvest destroyed, Fore said USAid is redirecting the $279m (£152) it had already committed to the country to address agriculture needs and other concerns.
