PAN AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION (PADF)

TOPICS:

• Disaser relief and prevention
• Environmental protection
• Employment and small business
• Work tools and health equipment

Established in 1962, the PADF is an independent, nonprofit organization that works to improve the quality of life in Latin America and the Caribbean through programs with the public and private sectors. The Secretary General and the Assistant Secretary General serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Foundation. The activities of the Foundation are coordinated with the OAS under the terms of a Cooperation Agreement signed in 1982. The OAS Permanent Council appoints an observer to sit on the Foundation's Board of Trustees. The current observer is Ambassador Harriet C. Babbitt, Permanent Representative of the United States.

Disaster relief and prevention

In 1992 an agreement was concluded between the OAS and the Pan American Development Foundation whereby the Organization of American States offered support to underwrite administrative measures and fund-raising that would enable the PADF to solicit funds for activities aimed at relieving the consequences of natural disasters. In 1994, the Foundation obtained funds from the U.S. private sector that enabled it to assist natural disaster relief programs in Colombia, Haiti and Honduras.

It continues to work with a nongovernmental organization in Jamaica to promote the construction of low-cost housing that minimizes the damage from hurricanes. The program involves several modalities, ranging from improvements to houses by nongovernmental organizations and private contractors, to self-help methods and loans. The program is working to become nationwide.

Environmental protection

In Antigua and Barbuda, Costa Rica, Dominica, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Saint Lucia, the Foundation supported programs in forestry protection, soil conservation, irrigation and production of foods that increase productivity and the earnings of rural farmers and improve the environment. In El Salvador, the PADF cooperated with a nongovernmental organization on ecological projects.

Employment and small business

A project is under way in Haiti that will use labor-intensive methods to generate short-term jobs for some 230,000 low-income individuals. The project includes reconditioning of rural roads, irrigation and drainage system, waste collection and removal, and soil and river bed conservation measures.

The PADF has conferred with the Ministries of Labor of Central America and the Dominican Republic on the possibility of another employment generation project.

Work tools and health equipment

Work tools, medical equipment and supplies valued at over US$4,100.000 were shipped to nongovernmental organizations, schools, health stations and hospitals. Participating in the program were 15 member countries of the OAS. The offices of the General Secretariat of the OAS in the member States also provided their cooperation.

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