FY 2022 Congressional Budget Justification
African Descendants African descendants comprise nearly 24% of the population of Latin America and the Caribbean, with poverty and extreme poverty rates approximately 60% higher than other groups.47 They also face high levels of exclusion and discrimination.48 People of African descent are often concentrated in the poorest urban areas in the region, where access to transportation, public services, and job opportunities is scarce and exposure to crime and violence is often widespread.49 These inequalities make African descendants more vulnerable to COVID-19, as concentration in urban centers and overcrowded housing with inadequate sanitation, water, and health services inhibit social distancing and pandemic protocols.50 At least 18% of active grants in FY 2020 served these communities, making the IAF a leading partner. Example: Garifuna communities, descendants of Africans and Indigenous peoples, face longstanding economic and social marginalization in Honduras, which contributes to high rates of migration out of these communities.51 Garifuna organization and IAF grantee Gemelos Honduras used IAF funding to provide technical assistance, market development, and small loans to help Garifuna and Indigenous Miskitú people create viable enterprises that improve their livelihoods. Gemelos partnered with publicprivate entity Instituto Nacional de Formación Profesional and Cooperativa Ceibeña to establish an intensive business development training program for 110 Garifuna and Indigenous entrepreneurs in the municipalities of La Ceiba and Jutiapa. After completing the training program, Gemelos provided support to legally register their businesses and obtain operating permits. Cooperativa Ceibeña also managed a revolving loan fund to provide these businesses with credit to grow. Gemelos’ partnership with the cooperative ensured sound management of the credit fund, as well as additional financial management training, access to small business fairs, and other benefits such as a scholarship program for the children of participating families. Gemelos has also partnered with local universities to obtain marketing support from students and negotiated with a television station for two hours of weekly programming to celebrate Garifuna culture and showcase their enterprises.
CACMU, Ecuador. (See page 23.)
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