Japan and the Organization of American States (OAS) have allocated $3 million in funding to Haiti to assist the Caribbean nation in preparing for its upcoming elections.
According to an OAS statement, the grant is designed to help the Haitian government update its voter registries and acquire 350,000 blank identification cards. Additionally, the OAS said the grant also would help reduce the backlog of Haitians awaiting identification, expand services in rural communities and improve power and internet connections in decentralized offices.
This support arrives as gang violence has displaced a record 1.5 million people throughout Haiti. Many of those fleeing attacks by armed groups in Port-au-Prince and other regions were forced to leave behind their identification cards and other vital documents when escaping their homes.
Despite these massive security challenges, Haiti's government launched voter registration last month in Port-au-Prince, where gangs control an estimated 70% of the territory. The first round of the long-awaited elections is currently scheduled for Dec. 13. However, experts warn that persistent gang violence could once again delay the voting timeline.
Haiti has been without a president since July 2021, when Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his private residence. Moïse had assumed the presidency following the elections held in November 2016.
