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CNN World Report

Haitian Economy Struggles to Survive

Aired June 10, 2001 - 14:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
SHIHAB RATTANSI, CNN ANCHOR: The Organization of American States has approved a Haitian proposal to hold new elections in the troubled democracy. President Jean-Bertrand Aristide has promised to hold elections in stages between this year and November 2004. The move will unblock millions of dollars in aid frozen after last year's tainted legislative elections, and as United Nations Television reports, the aid is badly needed in an economically tattered country, where most of the population struggles to survive.

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STEVE WHITEHOUSE, UNTV REPORTER (voice-over): In Haiti's northwest region, fishing in one of the few activities that provides both food and a way to make an income. In this, the poorest region of Haiti, environmental devastation caused by charcoal production has resulted in widespread unemployment.

OSCAR FERNANDEZ-TARANCO, UNDP: It's the region which is constantly effected by drought, extreme poverty; this is the region where the famous boat people from Haiti usually tend to leave and land in places like the Bahamas and Miami.

WHITEHOUSE: Many local residences have chosen to stay and try to make a living here. Supported by the U.N. Development Program, UNDP, and other donors, the project, called Progress Haiti, helps small entrepreneurs. But fishermen are finding their catch dwindling. At a training session given by experts financed by Progress Haiti, the fishing techniques are taught. Lack of organization among the fishermen and overfishing have caused massive destruction of the sea floor. Their future depends on information learned here.

ROSNER DUMEUS, FISHERMAN (through translator): I have learned about the types of fish to catch. Then about the size of the nets. If we take the small fish, that would hurt our future.

WHITEHOUSE: As chairman of his village banking cooperative, Rosner Dumeus said other villagers maintain an active credit scheme. What would be a tiny loan in a developed society could make the difference between poverty and a living in a poor country like Haiti. In the nearby town of Port-de-Paix, Madame Wilson Lorfils has established a shoe and general goods shop with a small loan from Progress Haiti.

Through a U.N.-backed training program for small business entrepreneurs, Madame Lorfils and other street merchants have learned sound business practices. After her initial small loan was successfully paid off, she was able to double her credit.

MADAME WILSON LORFILS, MERCHANT (through translator): Banks in town charge very high interest rates. Progress Haiti lent me the money at a much better rate. I pay back a little every month, and I make a profit.

WHITEHOUSE: Haiti is one of the world's least developed countries whose problems are discussed in the United Nations conference in Brussels this year.

With U.N. Television, this report was prepared by Steve Whitehouse and Richard Sydenham for the CNN WORLD REPORT.

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