39–010 

Calendar No. 447 

113TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2nd Session 113–201 

ASSESSING PROGRESS IN HAITI ACT OF 2014 

JUNE 26, 2014.—Ordered to be printed 

Mr. MENENDEZ, from the Committee on Foreign Relations, 

submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 1104] 

The Committee on Foreign Relations, to which was referred the 

bill (S. 1104), to measure the progress of recovery and development 

efforts in Haiti following the earthquake of January 12, 2010, and 

for other purposes, reports favorably thereon with an amendment 

and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass. 

CONTENTS 

Page 

I. Purpose ........................................................................................................... 1 

II. Committee Action .......................................................................................... 2 

III. Background .................................................................................................... 2 

IV. Discussion ....................................................................................................... 2 

V. Cost Estimate ................................................................................................. 4 

VI. Evaluation of Regulatory Impact .................................................................. 4 

VII. Changes in Existing Law .............................................................................. 4 

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of S. 1104, as amended, is to assess the progress of, 

identify current challenges to, and devise a comprehensive strategy 

to improve the recovery and development efforts implemented by 

the Government of the United States to mitigate the catastrophic 

consequences of the earthquake that struck Haiti on January 12, 

2010. S. 1104, as amended, directs the Secretary of State to prepare a report that highlights the current status of United States 

Government-supported reconstruction programs and identifies any 

significant challenges to advancing the objectives set forth by the 

ongoing efforts. S. 1104, as amended, also requires the State Department to develop a comprehensive three-year strategy that 

clearly identifies constraints to economic growth and challenges to 

the consolidation of democratic government institutions in Haiti, 

includes an action plan that outlines policy tools, technical assistance, and anticipated resources, and lays out specific steps and 

verifiable benchmarks for enhancing the ongoing recovery efforts in 

Haiti. 


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II. COMMITTEE ACTION

S. 1104 was introduced on June 6, 2013, by Senator Bill Nelson 

and co-sponsored by Senators Cardin, Gillibrand, and Landrieu. On 

June 24, 2014 the committee considered S. 1104 and ordered it reported favorably by voice vote, with one amendment. 

III. BACKGROUND

On January 12, 2010 a massive earthquake struck near the Haitian capital of Port-au-Prince, leaving an estimated 220,000 people 

dead, as well as 300,000 injured, 115,000 homes destroyed, and 

1,500,000 people displaced. According to the Post Disaster Needs 

Assessment conducted by the Government of Haiti, with technical 

assistance from various international organizations, an estimated 

15 percent of the population was directly affected by the disaster. 

The international community, led by the United States and the 

United Nations, mounted a humanitarian response for relief, reconstruction and development efforts in Haiti. The United States Congress played a vital role by authorizing $3,600,000,000 in assistance for the government and people of Haiti. 

IV. DISCUSSION

A section-by-section discussion of S. 1104 follows. 

Section 1 

Section 1 names the bill. 

Section 2 

Section 2 presents key findings regarding the devastating consequences of the earthquake in Haiti, including the number of victims, economic losses, and the public health crisis that stemmed 

from an unprecedented cholera outbreak. This section also elaborates upon the challenges faced by the international community in 

implementing recovery programs, and the need for donor assistance 

to Haiti to be met with a commitment by the Haitian Government 

to transparency, rule of law, democracy, and human rights. 

Section 3 

Section 3 states that it is the policy of the United States to support Haiti’s rebuilding and development in a manner that promotes 

efforts to support the long term capacity of the Government of 

Haiti and civil society; builds community-level resilience to environmental impacts; promotes the holding of free, fair and timely 

elections; and ultimately reflects the priorities of all Haitian citizens. 

Section 4 

Section 4 expresses the sense of the Congress that transparency, 

accountability, democracy and good governance are key factors in 

any congressional decision regarding any United States assistance, 

including assistance to Haiti. 

Section 5 

Section 5 requires the Secretary of State to submit to Congress 

a report on the status of post-earthquake recovery and development 


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efforts in Haiti. The report must be submitted no later than December 31, 2014, and annually thereafter through December 31, 

2017. The report must include a summary and a comprehensive assessment of ‘‘Post-Earthquake USG Haiti Strategy: Toward Renewal and Economic Opportunity’’—a document produced by the 

Department of State—that incorporates any significant changes to 

and a detailed description of the progress of the goals, objectives, 

benchmarks and timeframes specified in the Strategy, as well as a 

breakdown of the work done in Haiti by United States agencies 

other than USAID and the State Department. Furthermore, the report must include a description of measures taken by both the 

Unites States and Haiti to strengthen Haitian governmental and 

nongovernmental capacity to undertake and sustain U.S.-supported 

recovery programs, as well as a detailed account of current U.S. efforts to consult and engage with the Government of Haiti, its ministries and local authorities on establishment of goals and timeframes for existing and potential new programs. 

Section 6 

Section 6 requires that, 180 days after enactment of this Act, the 

Secretary of State, through the Assistant Secretary of State for 

Western Hemisphere Affairs, shall coordinate and transmit to the 

appropriate congressional committees a 3-year strategy that identifies the challenges to economic growth and the consolidation of 

democratic government institutions in Haiti. The Committee on 

Foreign Relations recognizes the important role that the Secretary 

of State’s Special Coordinator for Haiti will play in drafting the 

strategy and overseeing its implementation, but nevertheless 

deems it necessary that the Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs lead the process of coordination in order to ensure 

that the United States Government’s efforts in Haiti are linked 

more directly to the United States’ overall strategy and objectives 

for the hemisphere. The Committee on Foreign Relations notes that 

the Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs has significant experience in defining strategies focused on addressing obstacles to economic growth and strengthening democratic governance, and is in 

a position to reinforce this strategic planning effort. 

The strategy shall also include an action plan that outlines policy 

tools, technical assistance, and anticipated resources to address 

these challenges, as well as specific steps and verifiable benchmarks for achieving these goals. All United States Government efforts to support the consolidation of democratic government institutions in Haiti should be based on respect for internationally recognized human rights of all Haitian citizens. 

The strategy should include detailed steps for engagement with 

the Haitian Government on achieving shared priorities, such as 

bolstering the capacity of Haitian institutions, reducing corruption, 

consolidating the rule of law, strengthening the civilian police force, 

developing sustainable housing, fostering economic growth, improving food security and access to potable water, and obtaining access 

to safe and affordable supplies of energy. In devising this strategy, 

the Secretary should coordinate with all United States Government 

departments carrying out work in Haiti, and consult with the Haitian Government, as well as all relevant multilateral organizations 

present in Haiti. Additionally, the Secretary of State should consult 


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with non-governmental sectors in Haiti, including grassroots and 

community-based organizations. At the request of the relevant congressional committees, the Secretary is to provide quarterly briefings that review the implementation of the strategy. 

V. COST ESTIMATE

In accordance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(a) of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the committee notes that the cost estimate 

provided by the Congressional Budget Office was not available for 

inclusion in this report. The estimate will be printed in either a 

supplemental report or the Congressional Record when it is available. 

VI. EVALUATION OF REGULATORY IMPACT

Pursuant to Rule XXVI, paragraph 11(b) of the Standing Rules 

of the Senate, the committee has determined that there is no regulatory impact as a result of this legislation. 

VII. CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with Rule XXVI, paragraph 12 of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the committee has determined that there is no 

change to existing law made by the bill, as reported. 

Æ 


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