WASHINGTON, July 20 (UPI) -- Haiti is almost $1 billion short of the $1.365 billion in aid it needs through 2006, U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell said Tuesday.
Powell announced the Bush administration tripled the aid designated for Haiti this fiscal year. That puts the U.S. commitment for 2004 at $180 million. If funds requested from Congress come through, U.S. aid for 2004 and 2005 will come to $230 million.
"Haiti's needs are great, but with our help, her government and people will be equal to the task," he told the Donors' Conference for Haiti at the World Bank.
In May, Haiti, the World Bank and other donors estimated $1.365 billion were needed in assistance through September 2006. Powell said after taking into account Haiti's current planned resources and the pledges it received, the World Bank estimated a shortfall of $924 million.
"We must close that gap," he said.
Powell said the U.S. funds will be used to prepare for elections, humanitarian relief, including HIV/AIDS, a jobs program, and to help the Haitian national police become apolitical.
