The U.S. Agency for International Development assigned Haiti-related emergency tasks worth USD50 million each to DAI and Chemonics International. The assignments include the development of a short-term jobs program to clear earthquake rubble, rehabilitate basic infrastructure and repair roads, Miami Herald reports. DAI and Chemonics were also tasked to restore communication systems and provide basic infrastructure for the Haitian government.
The two assignments were given under USAID’s emergency provision to designate urgent tasks without a bidding process.
“If we had to go through another bidding process, we’d all be here instead of helping the people of Haiti,” said Steven O’Connor, a DAI spokesperson. He added that most of the funds DAI receives for this project will be spent on projects and services from third parties.
