Multi-Million Dollar US Aid Projects in Haiti Deliver 'Mixed Results'

the Government Accountability Office reports that many of the USAID reconstruction projects in Haiti costing more than $900 million have not reached their goals.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Many of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) reconstruction projects in Haiti costing more than $900 million have not reached their goals, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) said in a new report released on Wednesday.

“Most of the 23 reconstruction activities that GAO reviewed have achieved mixed results and some have faced delays,” the report said.

On January 12, 2010, an earthquake struck Haiti, the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere, causing an estimated 230,000 deaths and displacing about 2 million persons.

USAID reduced the planned goals for five of the six key infrastructure activities and encountered delays in four, including port improvements, according to the report.

The report also found that in the period from 2011 to 2013, USAID was only able to complete one-fifth of required certifications on determining the sustainability of large capital-assistance projects.

US government agencies have allocated $4 billion to earthquake-related efforts, including $2.7 billion for reconstruction, according to the Department of State.

USAID is a US government agency that works to end extreme global poverty.