Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti

The Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti is a social protection initiative that provides unconditional cash transfers to vulnerable households affected by food insecurity, economic shocks, insecurity, and natural disasters. Implemented by the Haitian Government through FAES with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the program will assist 9,095 households across targeted communes with six rounds of financial support.

Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti

The Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti is a government-led social protection initiative designed to improve the well-being of vulnerable families facing severe food insecurity and economic hardship. The program supports households struggling to meet their essential needs due to ongoing crises, including insecurity, inflation, and natural disasters.

The initiative is implemented by the Haitian Government through the Fonds d’Assistance Économique et Sociale (FAES), with implementation support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and financial assistance from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) under Grant 5894/GR-HA.

Program Overview

The program focuses on strengthening Haiti’s social safety net by providing direct financial assistance to households experiencing food insecurity and economic vulnerability.

Key program details include:

• Program Name: Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti
• Country: Haiti
• Implementing Agency: Fonds d’Assistance Économique et Sociale (FAES)
• Supporting Organization: World Food Programme (WFP)
• Funding Partner: Inter-American Development Bank (IDB)
• Grant Number: 5894/GR-HA
• Project Code: HA-J0008
• Type of Assistance: Unconditional cash transfers
• Cash Transfer Amount: Equivalent to USD 80 in Haitian Gourdes (HTG) per household per payment cycle
• Payment Frequency: Six payment cycles
• Target Households: 9,095
• Estimated Beneficiaries: 45,475 people

Why This Program Is Needed

Many communities across Haiti continue to experience severe humanitarian challenges caused by food shortages, economic instability, insecurity, and recurring natural disasters.

Several communes remain classified under the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) as:

• IPC Phase 3 (Crisis): Households face significant food consumption gaps and struggle to meet basic needs.
• IPC Phase 4 (Emergency): Households experience severe food insecurity and require urgent humanitarian assistance.

The targeted communes include:

• Belle Anse
• Thiotte
• Cayes-Jacmel

Without assistance, many families are forced to adopt harmful coping strategies such as:

• Skipping or reducing meals
• Selling livestock or productive assets
• Reducing spending on healthcare
• Cutting education expenses for children
• Accumulating debt to purchase basic necessities

Program Objectives

The Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security aims to:

• Improve household food security.
• Strengthen social protection systems.
• Support families affected by economic shocks.
• Reduce the impact of insecurity and natural disasters.
• Help vulnerable households meet their essential needs.
• Promote long-term household resilience and human security.

Focus Areas

The initiative supports two major development areas:

• Social Policy and Advocacy (General)
• Social Safety Nets

These focus areas contribute to building stronger systems that protect vulnerable populations during humanitarian and economic crises.

What Assistance Will Beneficiaries Receive?

Eligible households will receive unconditional cash transfers equivalent to USD 80 in Haitian Gourdes (HTG) per household during each payment cycle.

The program includes:

• Six cash transfer cycles.
• Financial support for 9,095 households.
• Assistance reaching approximately 45,475 beneficiaries.

Because the transfers are unconditional, households can decide how to use the funds according to their most urgent priorities, including food, healthcare, education, housing, or other essential expenses.

Who Is Eligible?

The program is intended for vulnerable households that:

• Live in the targeted communes.
• Experience food insecurity.
• Have been affected by economic shocks.
• Face insecurity or violence.
• Have suffered losses due to natural disasters.
• Meet the beneficiary selection criteria established by FAES and project partners.

Final eligibility is determined through the official beneficiary identification and verification process.

How the Program Works

The implementation process generally follows these steps:

1. Vulnerable households are identified in the targeted communes.
2. Household eligibility is assessed and verified.
3. Approved beneficiaries are registered.
4. Cash transfers are distributed in Haitian Gourdes.
5. Eligible households receive six payment cycles.
6. The program monitors implementation and beneficiary outcomes.

Why This Program Matters

The Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security is important because it:

• Helps reduce hunger and food insecurity.
• Supports vulnerable households during emergencies.
• Prevents families from selling productive assets.
• Enables households to continue spending on healthcare and education.
• Strengthens Haiti’s social protection system.
• Improves resilience against future economic and climate-related shocks.

Providing cash assistance also gives families the flexibility to prioritize their own needs while preserving dignity and supporting local economies.

Common Mistakes and Helpful Tips

Common Mistakes

• Assuming all households automatically qualify.
• Providing incorrect household information during registration.
• Missing verification appointments.
• Ignoring official communication from FAES or local authorities.
• Trusting unofficial individuals who claim they can guarantee enrollment.

Helpful Tips

• Keep personal and household information accurate and updated.
• Attend all registration and verification activities if selected.
• Follow announcements from official government agencies.
• Use only official communication channels for program information.
• Report suspected fraud or misinformation to local authorities.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti?

It is a government-led social protection initiative that provides unconditional cash assistance to vulnerable households affected by food insecurity, economic hardship, insecurity, and natural disasters.

Who implements the program?

The program is implemented by FAES, with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and funding from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

How much financial assistance will eligible households receive?

Each eligible household will receive the equivalent of USD 80 in Haitian Gourdes (HTG) during each payment cycle for a total of six cycles.

How many households will benefit?

The program will support 9,095 households, representing approximately 45,475 beneficiaries.

Which areas are targeted?

The initiative focuses on vulnerable communes including Belle Anse, Thiotte, and Cayes-Jacmel, where food insecurity remains severe.

Are there any conditions attached to the cash transfers?

No. The program provides unconditional cash transfers, allowing households to use the funds according to their most urgent needs.

Conclusion

The Community Programme for the Promotion of Human Security in Haiti is an important social protection initiative that helps vulnerable households cope with food insecurity, economic hardship, insecurity, and natural disasters. By providing six rounds of unconditional cash assistance to more than 9,000 households, the program strengthens household resilience, supports essential living expenses, and contributes to a more effective and inclusive social safety net in Haiti.