Since the 2010 Haitian earthquake, the U.S. has allocated funds to assist in various redevelopment projects in the country. However, according to a recent report from the Center for Economic and Policy Research, most of these funds, estimated at $1.15 billion, have gone to U.S.-based companies and organizations. More than half of the amount went to companies in Washington D.C., and only 1 percent to Haitian companies.

The report stated that lack of transparency makes it difficult to track the path of the allocated funds and who the primary recipients of USAID funds and the purpose on which the funds are being spent for example, for administrative expenses and benefits, compared to what amounts are actually being spent directly on redevelopment projects in Haiti.
According to the report, originally disseminated by the Associated Press, the biggest recipient of U.S. aid was Chemonics International Inc., a for-profit international development company based in Washington, D.C., that has more than 4,800 employees.
In Haiti, Chemonics' mandate has involved setting up a temporary structure for parliament, renovation of public plazas and repair of the country's main courthouse, as well as organizing televised debates for the 2011 presidential election.
The report stated USAID has awarded just $27.8 million of the $1.15 billion to Haitian and Haitian-American firms since the quake, according to the agency's website. However, it also stated that several Haitian business face obstacles like related projected funding from local banks and the resources to prepare sound project funding applications which preclude them from getting project contracts.

In another sign of foreign investors' confidence in Haiti as it continues to rebound from the 2010 earthquake, Dallas-based Aimbridge Hospitality and Haiti-based corporation Carabimmo SA in partnership with U.S. based Best Western International, announced the opening of luxury Best Western Premier Petion-Ville, located near Haiti's international airport.

The hotel is the first full-service corporate U.S. brand hotel to open in Haiti and the first Best Western Premier in the Caribbean. This $15 million, seven story hotel features 106 guest rooms with three executive and imperial suites, 42" flat screen TVs, wireless internet access, versatile meeting facilities, pool, concierge, French inspired restaurant Le Michel, whisky bar, room service, round-the-clock doorman, gym, full-service spa, and private car and van transportation to and from the airport.

Aimbridge senior vice president of Caribbean operations and development, Rich Cortese said the company hired and trained 95 new employees, the majority of whom are Haitians along with a seasoned management staff. The vice president said the staff is trained to handle all aspects of a guest's stay, from arrival to departure, including their logistics while in Haiti.

Recently, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights granted precautionary measures to residents of Grace Village, one of approximately 450 earthquake displacement camps in Haiti.

The commission advised the Haitian Government to immediately take steps to prevent any violent evictions and provide clean water and security to camp residents, especially women and children.
Human rights lawyer Mario Joseph of the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI), who, along with Défenseurs des Opprimés (Defenders of the Oppressed) and the Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti (IJDH) filed the claim with the commission, calls the precautionary measures a significant victory, saying the government "shouldn't be sending police to support unlawful and violent evictions like in Grace Village. The government must require landowners to follow proper legal eviction procedures and give residents adequate notice and legal recourse to defend their rights."

Last month, Amnesty International called for urgent action against the "constant campaign of intimidation against camp residents" at Grace Village by the alleged owner of the land. Grace Village authorities blocked humanitarian organizations from providing aid to residents, obtained arrest warrants against camp residents trying to protect their rights, and instructed private security to throw rocks at residents. As a result, camp residents live in inhumane conditions with little access to food, shelter or clean water, and under constant fear of violent evictions. This is in direct contrast to claims by Grace International, Inc., which collects donations to manage the camp, that it runs a "model" camp providing well water, showers, toilets and garbage disposal.

Last week, Nigel Fisher, acting special representative of the Secretary-General and Interim Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), presented his report of the mission's role in Haiti, before the UN Security Council. The report dealt with the issue of security in Haiti and the need to call long delayed local government elections.

Fisher reported the conflict between the political leaders of the three branches of the Haitian state has led to delays, disrupted the functioning of the system of governance and led the country into an extremely damaging political impasse. He emphasized the importance of the Haitian authorities creating a climate conducive to the holding of free elections postponed since 2011, this year in a manner that's fair, credible, and open to all.
Fisher said the UN stands ready to support the upcoming elections and to work with the Haitian authorities over the next three years in responsibly streamlining the process for the general elections in 2016. He said holding credible elections in 2013 is fundamental to reinforce Haiti's democratic institutions, strengthen the rule of law and respond to urgent needs of Haiti's citizens, like employment and social protection.
The members of the Security Council, including the U.S., China, UK, France, Australia and the Russian Federation, were in consensus that the overdue elections must be held soon.

Susan Rice, U.S. Ambassador to the UN, said, "The absence of such elections impeded social and economic development in Haiti. While there had been recent steps forward on the political front, the U.S. looked forward to the scheduling of those long-overdue elections. That would send a signal to the international community that Haiti was committed to ensuring peace and development in the country."