Contacts: In Washington: Alejandro Cedeño (202) 473-3477 acedeno@worldbank.org WASHINGTON, October 9, 2008 - World Bank Group President Robert B. Zoellick today announced US$25 million in additional emergency grants to Haiti to support recovery and rebuilding, and strengthen its institutional capacity to cope with natural disasters following four tropical storms and hurricanes since August. The grants will fund rebuilding of major bridges and other rehabilitation work on key infrastructure, as well as expanding existing programs to help reduce Haiti's vulnerability to natural disasters and strengthen its capacity to respond to them. “Haiti must be given a chance. The international community needs to step up to the challenge and support the efforts of the Haitian government and its people,” said Zoellick, who plans to visit Haiti later this month. “This US$25 million grant is part of the Bank’s support for Haiti’s development, and in particular, for its recovery following the devastating impact of Fay, Gustav, Hanna, and Ike,” Zoellick added. World Bank teams are working closely with the Haitian Government, the United Nations, the European Commission, the Inter-American Development Bank and other partners on a joint Post Disaster Needs Assessment for a concrete and coordinated recovery and rehabilitation plan for this emergency and to increase the country's resilience to future natural disasters. The World Bank has approved US$240 million in assistance for Haiti since 2005, including a recent US$10 million emergency grant to help the government respond to the food price crisis (Global Program). This total does not include the additional funds announced today and about US$14 million of trust fund resources invested in Haiti.
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