Strategies (1997-2002)

Overview (1997-2002)

In the Dominican Republic, the U.S. Agency for International Development works in three primary areas: a) economic growth; b) health, population and nutrition; and c) democracy and governance. In addition to these areas, USAID developed a short-term humanitarian assistance program to provide support in the reconstruction effort post-Hurricane Georges.

Economic Growth

Despite the recent high levels of national economic growth, the poor have not seen notable improvement in their standard of living. Continued reforms are needed in the area of economic competitiveness, environment, energy and education in order to broaden and sustain the benefits of the economic growth.

The strategic objective of USAID activities in economic growth is "Policies Adopted That Promote Good Governance for Sustainable Economic Growth". Assistance is provided to the Dominican government and the civil society to adopt economic, energy, environment and education policies that will allow the Dominican Republic to compete effectively in the global economy and broaden participation in both the democratic process and in economic growth. Specifically, the program promotes reforms in economic competitiveness, basic education, sustainable management of natural resources and the environment and in rural electrification. USAID programs are designed to lead to sustained economic growth and to extend its benefits to all levels, especially to lowest income segment. Four intermediate results are necessary to achieve the strategic objective. First, a more competitive Dominican economy will provide the basis for economic growth in a global economy. Second, improved policies for a sustainable environment will insure that growth is sustainable. Third, improved policies for rural energy will diversify economic growth and strengthen institutions. Fourth, improved basic education will provide the means for the poor to participate in the growth. (more...)

Population, Health and Nutrition

Over the past decade the Dominican Republic has experienced significant reductions in infant and child mortality and in fertility rates. But despite these gains, critical health issues remain. These include the HIV/AIDS epidemic spreading in the general population, particularly among youth, high maternal mortality and adolescent pregnancy rates, and low full vaccination coverage. Most of these health issues are the result of an inequitable and inefficient health system, which focuses on curative rather than preventive health, limiting access by vulnerable populations to quality basic health care. In addition, the lack of access to water by 65% of the rural and peri-urban population threatens the sustainability of the child survival gains

The USAID/DR health program, designed to address some of these issues, aims at "Increased Use of Sustainable Basic Health Care Services and Practices" by addressing both structural and systemic weaknesses within the health care system, and working closely with both governmental and non governmental organizations. The program focuses on four results: 1) Increased access to HIV/AIDS/STI prevention and care services for at-risk and affected populations; 2) Sustainable and effective reproductive health services reaching target groups; 3) Increased access to selected child survival interventions; and, 4) Increased efficiency and equity of basic health services especially at decentralized levels. (more...)

Democracy and Governance

The Dominican Republic has made gradual advances toward democracy but democratic consolidation continues to be a challenge. This is evidenced by widespread clientelism, weak electoral and justice sector institutions, and corruption that limit public confidence in government and lead to an inequitable distribution of the benefits resulting from economic growth. However, by all accounts, both the 1996 and 2000 Presidential elections as well as the Congressional/Municipal elections of 1998 were both free and fair with a high voter turn-out and thousands of Dominican volunteers who served as election observers.

The USAID/DR Democracy and Governance program, "A More Participatory, Representative and Better Functioning Democracy Achieved," fosters more meaningful citizen participation in credible electoral processes, an active civil society that advocates democratic reform, and strengthened rule of law and respect for human rights through the achievement of three intermediate results (IRs): 1) strengthened rule of law and respect for human rights; 2) increased development of a free and active civil society; and 3) consolidated civil society support for more genuine and competitive electoral process. (more...)

Humanitarian Assistance

In September 1998, Hurricane Georges struck the Dominican Republic in the southeast region with winds of up to 130 miles per hour and wreaked havoc across 70% of the country for 16 long hours. Heavy winds severely damaged the eastern region; heavy, intensely concentrated rains, particularly in the western part of the country, produced mudslides and widespread, prolonged flooding. Hurricane Georges killed more than 200 persons and left a path of destruction critically affecting the lives of over half the population and setting back the country's human, natural resource, and physical infrastructure base.

In response, USAID/DR provided immediate humanitarian assistance through the distribution of water tanks and purification tablets, emergency food rations, plastic sheeting to cover damaged roofs and fast-growing vegetable seeds. In addition, USAID/DR provided temporary shelters to meet the immediate needs of homeless hurricane victims. Soon after, USAID/DR developed and submitted a request for emergency funding to support a Special Objective for a two-year Reconstruction Program to reduce health risks, restore shelter, increase food availability until Dominicans could resume their productive activities, promote the development of income-generating opportunities of victims seeking to re-establish their means of livelihood and reduce the potential effects of future natural disasters.

In 1999, Federal Government signed a supplemental bill that provided the USAID/DR with approximately $29 million from the Central American and Caribbean Emergency Disaster Relief Fund to support reconstruction activities. In August 1999, USAID/DR signed a Grant Agreement with the Government of the Dominican Republic (GODR) to undertake this final, two-year phase of the Hurricane Georges Recovery and Reconstruction Program. (more...)

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Last updated on May 20, 2005