UNSpecial N° 693 • Mars 2010
CASH-FOR-WORK PROGRAMME
The UNDP Cash-for-Work project is putting thousands of Haitians to work, enabling them to earn an income as they help their country recover from last month’s devastating earthquake. The immediate target is 100,000 workers, ideally doubling that further as conditions and funds allow. The initiative started with an existing fuel brick project, which recycles paper waste and organic material into a product that can be used to cook meals. The current programme, which is coordinated closely with local government authorities and associations, was launched on 20 January and continues to expand as resources are made available.
Benefits
- Puts cash into the pockets of Haitians, so they can purchase goods and services of their choosing, thereby having a direct and positive impact on the local economy whilst directly benefiting families.
- This money, currently about $175,000 a day injected into the local economy, circulates from person to person, thereby contributing to local economic growth.
- Instead of a hand-out, the cash-for-work project offers a hand up. It reduces tension in the streets as previously unemployed people can now participate in the rebuilding of their country, whilst earning a wage.
- Opens up areas of the city to access by emergency vehicles and public and private transportation.
- Removes garbage and refuse that is a hazard to human health.
- The fuel bricks provide an alternative fuel source and reduce reliance on wood harvesting, thereby promoting soil conservation and reduced erosion.
The work includes removing building rubble from the streets, crushing and sorting of reusable material and disposal of debris and restoring essential public facilities to lay the foundations for mid-term recovery and development, such as access to water and protection of water sources, markets, communal washing areas, community centers, etc.
Funding
Governments from developed and developing countries have pledged their support, including Brazil, China, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Montenegro, Norway, Saudi Arabia, and Spain. The programme also received contributions from private donations including from Benfica Foundation and Korea- American Association However, while the pledges have been plentiful, more support is needed to meet demand. As of 6 February:
- Pipeline (pledged): $9,700,000
- Confirmed: $15,884,200
- Total: $25,584,200
Fast Facts
- The CFW programme is being implemented by UNDP, together with neighbourhood committees, DINEPA (Direction Nationale de l’eau Potable et de l’assainissement), DPC (Dirección de la Protection Civile) and municipalities, so that the programme is for Haitians and according to the needs and priorities of Haitians, with ownership of the national institutions.
- It is a short-term measure and is not a substitute for private sector employment.
- To put as many people to work as possible and to make optimal use of the limited trucks and equipment, there are two shifts: 6 am to noon and noon to 6 pm. Labourers are hired in cycles of 24 days, to give an optimal number of people access to the opportunity.
- The workers are paid 180 gourdes, or US$4.5 at current rates of exchange, for six hour’s labour. This is slightly more than the minimum wage, which is important so as not to distort the local labour market and draw jobs away from the private sector, which is critically important in ensuring long-term recovery.
Results / Updates
- The programme draws on the experience of the Government of Haiti and UNDP coming out of the 2008 hurricane season when over 100,000 jobs were created following those disasters.
- Several NGOs are joining the project and will be responsible for implementation in different locations.
- A financial institution is being contracted to manage the distribution of payments to the workers.
- UNDP purchased more than US$1.2 million worth of tools and equipment through local merchants, including, for example, 4,500 wheelbarrows, 10,000 shovels, 100,000 masks, and 120,000 tshirts.