WASHINGTON, CMC – Japan has partnered with the Organization of American States (OAS) to continue strengthening the capacities of the National Identification Office of Haiti (ONI).
Japan has made a “substantial contribution” to the ongoing OAS-supported introduction of the country’s identification card in 2005.
“We are deeply thankful to the Government and people of Japan for this generous grant contribution and their steadfast support for Haiti. This project began with a contribution from USAID, and we acknowledge them here, too,” said OAS Secretary General Luis Almagro.
Japan’s Permanent Observer to the OAS, Koichi Ai, said his country’s funding will become even more critical as Haiti’s National Identification Card is crucial for exercising Haitians’ economic, social, and political rights.
“This is what we do: ‘More rights for more people. When the Great East Japan Earthquake occurred in 2011, the Embassy of Haiti in Japan participated in volunteer activities in the affected areas.’ A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ We are delighted to be able to stand by our Caribbean friend, Haiti, this time.
“With increasing uncertainty in the world and fundamental values of democracy and the rule of law in peril, the OAS’s efforts to promote democracy, human rights, security, and development in the Americas are more important than ever. Japan remains committed to cooperating with the OAS to the full extent of our capacity”, said the Japanese diplomat.
The OAS said the Asian country has helped establish ONI and its 141 registration offices throughout Haiti and assisted ONI in managing its database and updating the electoral roll for five elections.
It has also supported ONI in positioning the identification card as the required document to vote, access public services and programs, and citizens’ daily administrative and commercial transactions. It has trained over 2,000 ONI operators, coordinators, and management staff.
In 2023, the OAS said it launched a new effort, with support from the United States government, through the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to strengthen ONI’s capacities, expanding ID card distribution and registration system thanks to the deployment of mobile units throughout the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“Supporting the Office of National Identification of Haiti in the re-registration, issuing, and distribution of the new national identification card” is scheduled to conclude in 2025, the OAS said.
Haiti’s Permanent Representative to the OAS, Leon Charles, said that “identifying citizens remains one of the significant challenges facing the Haitian state.
“The authorities know this and are working to provide definitive answers. Any support from outside is a crucial step in the right direction.
“On behalf of the Haitian government, I would like to express my gratitude to the Japanese government for its generous contribution in support of the work of the National Identification Office,” Charles added.
Thursday’s ceremony was also attended by members of the OAS Permanent Working Group on Haiti, established in February 2023 as a mechanism for regular meetings of the OAS on the situation in Haiti.
“Japan’s decisive involvement in this project will reinforce current efforts, enhancing the registration and issuance of identification cards while contributing to the improvement of data management and technological infrastructure,” the OAS said.
It said this new component also aims to “strengthen capabilities to face crises that may impact access to the right to identity.
“In this regard, this contribution will also be dedicated to securing the energy autonomy of key offices for ONI operations. This partnership reflects the alignment between the Japanese, the US, and the OAS commitments to stabilizing Haiti, working together for the betterment of governance and democracy and to guarantee access to fundamental rights for all citizens, including the right to identity.”
Japan has been a Permanent Observer since 1973.
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