Merida Initiative

On March 14, 2007, then U.S. President George W. Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon met in Merida Mexico to discuss regional security issues. They recognized the common threat to public safety, rule of law, and national security posed by organized crime and drug trafficking and their shared responsibility to address this threat. On October 22, 2007, Presidents Bush and Calderon announced the Merida Initiative and reaffirmed their commitment to establish a partnership to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

The Merida Initiative later became a partnership between the governments of the United States, Mexico, the five Central American nations (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, and Costa Rica), Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti. On June 30, 2008, Congress approved $400 million for Mexico and $65 million for Central America, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Haiti to be used for training and equipment for law enforcement programs, and for gang prevention activities. This funding is for the first year for what is planned to be a multi-year program.

USAID/Honduras will focus on prevention activities that address the root causes of youth involvement in crime and gangs. By tapping into established partnerships with the Government of Honduras, local governments, and the private sector, USAID will reduce organized crime in targeted urban and rural areas. Activities will focus on the following areas: Community Gang Prevention; Rehabilitation; Community Infrastructure; Vocational Education; and Community Policing.

Community Gang Prevention
USAID, in collaboration with the Government of Honduras, nongovernment organizations, and the private sector, will work with communities to address threats of gangs and crime. Community-based activities will also address the lack of educational and job opportunities. Some of the activities will include awareness campaigns, education and employment initiatives, infrastructure, and outreach centers for at-risk youth in high-risk localities.

Rehabilitation
USAID will expand support to the Regional Youth Alliance’s Challenge 100 program, which provides job opportunities and support services to rehabilitated former gang members. This program will provide an outlet for former gang members and demonstrate that these men and women can contribute positively to society and the development of Honduras.

Community Infrastructure
USAID will continue to work with the Honduran Social Investment Fund (FHIS) to develop and implement community-led infrastructure projects throughout Honduras. It will support activities to increase the Honduran government’s presence in high crime and drug trafficking areas, such as building educational and health facilities. It will also support activities that improve security, such as providing adequate street lighting.

Vocational Education
USAID will work with the EDUCATODOS program, which enables out-of-school youth to complete basic education. It will also work with CADERH (Advisory Center for the Development of Human Resources), and the Polytechnic Institute of Central America (IPC) to help youth acquire basic education skills and state-of-the-art job training. USAID plans to target at-risk-youth living in areas with drug trafficking and gangs, and provide these youths with more positive, productive alternatives for both continued education and employment.

Community Policing
USAID will support a pilot community policing program that will provide training, technical assistance, and grants to community organizations and the police. The training will focus on strengthening the constructive role of police in prevention, social rehabilitation, and reinsertion at the community level. Community members will receive training to help them improve community participation in crime prevention, reduce gang recruitment, and improve community-police collaboration. The program will help build trust between the police and the communities they serve, strengthen the credibility and legitimacy of local government, and improve how police and communities work together to address the threats of gangs and organized crime.