113 S1104 IS: Assessing Progress in Haiti Act
U.S. Senate
2013-06-06
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EN
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1.This Act may be cited as
the Assessing Progress in Haiti
Act
.
2.Congress makes the following
findings:
(1)According to the
Government of Haiti, more than 316,000 people died as a result of the
earthquake that struck 15 miles southwest of Port-au-Prince on January 12,
2010, including 103 citizens of the United States and more than 100 United
Nations personnel.
(2)According to the
United Nations and the International Organization for Migration, an estimated
3,000,000 people were directly affected by the disaster, and more than
2,100,000 people were displaced from their homes.
(3)The Post Disaster
Needs Assessment conducted by the Government of Haiti, the United Nations, the
World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, and others estimated that
damage and economic losses totaled $7,804,000,000, approximately 120 percent of
Haiti’s gross domestic product in 2009.
(4)The initial
emergency response of the men and women of the United States Government, led by
the United States Agency for International Development and the United States
Southern Command, as well as of cities, towns, individuals, businesses, and
philanthropic organizations across the United States, was swift and
resolute.
(5)According to the
Government of Haiti, numerous multilateral agencies such as the United Nations,
and international nongovernmental organizations, Haiti faces an ongoing food
crisis as a result of the earthquake and subsequent damage caused by tropical
storms and hurricanes, as well as long-term neglect of the agriculture
sector.
(6)According to the
International Organization for Migration, approximately 320,000 people remain
in spontaneous and organized camps in Haiti, and reports by the General
Accountability Office, the Inspector General for the United States Agency for
International Development, and civil society organizations indicate that the
pace of recovery and development has lagged significantly behind the emergency
relief phase.
(7)On October 21,
2010, an outbreak of cholera was detected and according to the Haitian Ministry
of Public Health and Population, as of February 17, 2013, more than 8,000
people had died from cholera and more than 647,500 had been infected with the
disease.
(8)The United
Nations Office of the Special Envoy for Haiti estimates that, including donor
pledges and other support, approximately $6,400,000,000 has been disbursed,
with an additional amount of $3,800,000,000 committed, to assist in Haiti’s
recovery and development.
(9)The United States
Government has appropriated approximately $3,600,000,000 for relief, recovery,
and development in Haiti since the earthquake, of which $2,600,000,000 had been
disbursed as of March 2013. The United States Government has also provided more
than $95,000,000 in aid to combat the cholera epidemic and care for the
victims.
(10)Significant
challenges remain in Haiti, which will require continued recovery and
development aid from the international community for the foreseeable
future.
(11)The Haitian
diaspora has also played an essential role in Haiti’s reconstruction, and the
United States Government should take steps to increase outreach and encourage
participation by Haitian Americans in recovery and development activities in
Haiti.
3.
(a)Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment
of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit to
Congress a report on the status of post-earthquake recovery and development
efforts in Haiti, including efforts to prevent the spread of cholera and treat
persons infected with the disease.
(b)The
report required by subsection (a) shall include the following elements:
(1)An assessment of
the progress of recovery and development efforts, as embodied in the Haiti
Rebuilding and Development Strategy, compared to what remains to be achieved to
meet specific goals, including—
(A)the amount of
funds disbursed and any significant changes to the Strategy since January 2010,
with an explanation of such changes;
(B)the amounts
obligated and expended on United States Government programs and activities
since January 2010 to implement the Strategy, including award data on the use
of implementing partners at the prime level and at the subprime level of
$25,000 and above, and disbursement data from prime implementing partners;
and
(C)a description of
goals and quantitative and qualitative indicators to evaluate the progress,
achievement, or lack of achievement of such goals, within specific time frames,
that comprise the Strategy at the program level.
(2)An assessment of
the manner in which the Department of State and the United States Agency for
International Development are working with ministries and local authorities in
Haiti, including the extent to which the Government of Haiti has been consulted
on the establishment of goals and time frames and on the design and
implementation of new programs under the Strategy.
(3)An assessment of
the extent to which civil society and grassroots organizations in Haiti have
been consulted on the establishment of goals and time frames and on the design
and implementation of new programs under the Strategy.
(4)An assessment of
efforts to increase the involvement of the private sector in Haiti in recovery
and development activities.
(5)An assessment of
how consideration for vulnerable populations, including internally displaced
persons, women, children, orphans, and persons with disabilities, have been
incorporated in the design and implementation of new programs and
infrastructure.
(6)An assessment of
how agriculture and infrastructure programs are impacting food security and the
livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Haiti.
(7)An assessment of
recovery and development coordination among United States Government agencies
and between the United States Government and other donors.
(8)A description of
the United States Government’s efforts, including diplomatic efforts, to help
abate the cholera epidemic in Haiti, in coordination with the Government of
Haiti, the United Nations, and other relevant entities.
(9)A description of
mechanisms for communicating the progress of recovery and development efforts
to people in Haiti.
(10)An assessment of
the steps the Government of Haiti is taking to strengthen its capacity to
receive individuals who are removed, excluded, or deported from the United
States.
(c)Use of
previously appropriated fundsFunding for the report required
under subsection (a) shall be made available from existing funds appropriated
to the Department of State and the United States Agency for International
Development for assistance to Haiti, and shall not exceed $75,000.