2023-Public-Sector-Perspectives

Haiti: A farsighted approach to continuity Haiti has suffered multiple crises in recent decades and international agencies have long maintained a presence in the country. Following the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, law and order has steadily broken down. By September, local gangs had set up roadblocks and taken control of large parts of the country, blockading fuel supplies and sea ports, causing widespread shortage of food and economic collapse. A record 4.7 million people are now facing acute hunger, with 1.8 million now at an emergency level of malnutrition, according to the World Food Programme. Cholera is also now spreading among the population. Citi has supported humanitarian organizations in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake when much of the country was destroyed. In the immediate aftermath, Citi was one of the few banks with connectivity and an operational office. The office was made available to international aid organizations to facilitate the emergency response. Since 2017, Citi has been the only international bank operating in Haiti. As instability has increased since 2021, Citi has steadily modified operations while maintaining a presence and continuing to offer a wide range of services. Most importantly, Citi created a continuity of business (COB) site for Haiti in the Dominican Republic, to ensure support for Citi’s operations in event of bank closures in Haiti. Via the COB site, Citi’s international agency clients can access Haiti’s RTGS system, make cross- border payments and conduct FX transactions. That enables them to pay staff, local suppliers, beneficiaries and other parties while maintaining existing operations and programs. Citi has supported humanitarian organizations in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake when much of the country was destroyed. In the immediate aftermath, Citi was one of the few banks with connectivity and an operational office. The office was made available to international aid organizations to facilitate the emergency response. Citi Perspectives for the Public Sector 7