Contact: Press Office, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), 202-712-4320; Public Information: 202-712-4810

WASHINGTON, Aug. 12 /Standard Newswire/ -- The U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Acting Administrator, Alonzo Fulgham, addressed attendees of the Haitian Diaspora Unity Congress Sunday in Miami Beach, Fla. Fulgham's remarks before the members of the International Congress of the Haitian Diaspora focused on USAID's initiatives to assist Haiti in partnership with members of the Diaspora. Other VIPs who addressed the Congress were Haiti's Prime Minister Michelle Pierre-Louis and former President Bill Clinton.

In his remarks, Fulgham discussed the launch of the Diaspora Market Place, a partnership with USAID and Haiti's Sogebank Foundation that will provide $2 million in resources to support investments by members of the Diaspora with small and medium enterprises in Haiti. Fulgham also praised the Haitian Diaspora for its role in assisting with the response to natural disasters and other crises that have affected Haiti in the last year; and encouraged continued assistance,

USAID's programs support the Haitian government in its efforts to promote stability; implement democratic reforms, build public institutions, and provide access to services for its citizens, particularly in health, education, HIV/AIDS services, food security and response to natural disasters in addition to working to increase economic growth and job opportunities.

Fulgham served from 1984 to 1986 as a Peace Corps volunteer in Port-au-Prince, where he worked with the Government of Haiti and local groups to enhance Haiti's competitiveness through export promotion.

Following his attendance at the Congress, Fulgham departed for a 2-day official visit to Haiti to meet with government officials and conduct oversight of USAID programs.

For more information about USAID, please visit: www.usaid.gov.