HRA Celebrates House Appropriations Committee's Support for Haitian American Diaspora in USAID Locally- Led Strategy

HRA Celebrates House Appropriations Committee's Support for Haitian American Diaspora in USAID Locally- Led Strategy 

Washington, DC – June 14, 2024 – Haiti Renewal Alliance (HRA) is pleased to announce that the full U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Appropriations has adopted diaspora engagement language that emphasizes the importance of leveraging locally-led organizations to address the multi-faceted humanitarian and development crisis in Haiti earlier this week. This strategic move underscores the critical role of local organizations in Haiti, including those led by its diaspora, in driving effective, sustainable solutions. 

The adopted language results from the Haitian American Diaspora advocacy led by HRA to enhance Diaspora integration in the Humanitarian and Development nexus. The language is part of the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations report accompanying the legislative bill making appropriations for the Department of State, foreign operations, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2025. 

HRA’s direct advocacy effort engendered the inclusion of the Committee's report to specifically encourage the Secretary of State and the Administrator of USAID to integrate more locally-led organizations into their overall engagement strategy regarding Haiti. This includes organizations in-country led by the Haitian diaspora from the United States. The Committee has mandated a report within 45 days of the enactment of the Act from the U.S. State Department with USAID, detailing efforts for localization and building capacity to assist in Haiti's crisis for the fiscal year 2025.

"We commend the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee for recognizing the vital role of locally-led organizations, including those led by the Haitian American diaspora in-country, in addressing the ongoing crisis in Haiti. We absolutely want to thank the members of the U.S. Congress and their diligent staff who facilitated this event which without their robust support would not have happened. This includes Chair Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26th), Ranking Member Barbara Lee (CA-12th), Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-22nd), and Chair Maria E. Salazar (FL-27th), along with other members who have contributed thus far to the success of this effort." said Gilbert Saint Jean, Ph.D., Director of Policy Research and Advocacy at HRA. "This legislative language of inclusion will help to ensure that U.S. foreign policy engagement efforts regarding Haiti are not only more effective but also sustainable, leveraging the on-the-ground expertise, experience, and commitment of local organizations, including those led by the diaspora. We could not have witnessed this ongoing achievement without the collaboration of OneDiaspora members and allies. This legislative language is not an end-all-be-all but it is definitely something significant to work with." 

Haiti Renewal Alliance is eagerly awaiting the passage of the language in the full House of Representatives this summer. We call on members of the Diaspora and allies to reach out to their elected representatives and senators to advocate for the overall passage of this language. For more information on this HRA event and related advocacy initiatives, please visit www.haitirenew.org or email fbacker@haitirenew.org and gsaintjean@haitirenew.org.

Media Contact:

Name: Jessica Theodore

Title: Communications Director

Phone: 617-637-9158

Email address: communication@haitirenew.org

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