All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars. Numbers in italics are estimates, usually based on the closest year for which data are available.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

All amounts in U.S. dollars.

Document: 2008 End-Use Monitoring Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

TEGUCIGALPA

Background

EUM Program Coordinator
Gregory Morrison, Tel: 504-236-9320 ext. 4394, morrisongrstate.gov

Inventory System
To identify and track donated equipment, post enters every item or service into the NAS office Access database, identifying its location, value, recipient, donation date, and full description.

Staff EUM Monitoring Responsibilities
Lourdes Guillen, NAS Training Specialist, is responsible for conducting on-site inspections, communicating with the different recipient agencies to be aware of any problem of achievement, and preparing the EUM report. Cynthia Licona, Admin Assistant, provides support when needed.

Other U.S. Agency Assistance
The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) conducts reviews to verify the condition and use of resources provided to the Vetted unit.

Counterpart Agencies
The following Directorate and units from the Honduran National Police (HNP) are recipients of USG-provided assets:
National Direction of Special Services Investigation (DNSEI)
National Direction of Criminal Investigation (DNIC)
National Direction of Special Preventive Service (DNSEP)
National Direction of Preventive Police (DNPP)
Joint Information Communication Center (CEINCO)
Division Against Abuse Trafficking, and Sexual Exploitation of Internal Affairs (IA)

The following offices at the Public Ministry (PM) are also recipients of USG- provided assets:
Organized Crime Unit (OCU)
Human Rights Prosecution Office
Unit for Causes of Foreign Citizens

Monitoring Procedures

On-site Inspections
During 2008, six counterpart sites and six cities were visited. A total of 662 items were subject to inspection. Sixty percent (60%) of the donated items were physically inspected. On-site inspections are conducted at different check point locations, border crossings, and police headquarters units to monitor donations. Three scheduled and five unscheduled inspections were performed.

Secondary Methods of Monitoring Resource Status
Discussions were held with host government officials to check on the status of INL-funded resources at the following counterpart sites: DNSEI Tegucigalpa Headquarters, DNSEI north western region. The communications equipment donated for the National Automated Case Management Information System (NACMIS) was verified with the officer-in-charge. About forty (40) percent of donated items were monitored using secondary methods.

Status-Commodities

Vehicles
Two Chevrolet pickups and one Chevrolet Blazer were donated to DSEI Tegucigalpa headquarters in 2003, one Chevrolet van in 2004, and one Jeep Cherokee in 2006. They are being used to support different units of the Police Directorate in their regular day-to-day work.

The Special Vetted Unit project maintains possession of three Ford Ranger pickups and one Chevrolet pickup donated in 2005. They are used to carry out monitoring, surveillance, and seizures. Two are not in working condition, and two are in fair condition. At the end of 2008, a donation letter for the transfer of two Ford Exployers was signed. Vehicles will be in the possession of the GOH once the process of transfer of ownership is completed.

One vehicle was donated to the Police Intelligence Project in 2005. This vehicle is used by members of the Polygraph Unit that conducts polygraph tests in different locations nationwide. The vehicles are in good condition.

Eight motorcycles were donated to the Border Control Interdiction Unit (DNSEI) in 2004. Five were assigned to the headquarters in Tegucigalpa and three to the Guasaule border crossing and the Pavana checkpoint. Motorcycles are used to support different units of the Police Directorate, and transport Frontier Police personnel within different checkpoints. One was stolen while on duty; two are not in working condition; and five are in fair condition.

Border Control Interdiction (DNSEI)
Pickup
2
SUV
1
Van
1
SUV
2
Motorcycle
7

Special Vetted Unit
Ford Ranger
3
Chevrolet Pickup
1
Ford Exployer
2

Vessels
Four boats donated to the Border Control/Interdiction (DNSEI) in 2003 are irreparable and need to be removed from inventory.

Communications Equipment
In 2006, communications equipment devices (e.g. dual bands, Tripp lutes, catalyst switches, patch panels) were donated to the HNP as part of the National Automated Case Management Information System (NACMIS) project. Phase II of the plan called "interconnectivity of Information/systems-remote Access" began in 2007 and was completed in 2008 with the installation, configuration, and testing of all devices and data transmission equipment that are part of the project expansion. Additional switches, and another 13 units of the Department of the Ministry of Security located nationwide were connected. NACMIS is used by different units of the Department of the Ministry of Security and the main investigations to access criminal files, arrest warrants, stolen vehicles, and weapons registration among others.

Four portable radios were provided to the Panama Checkpoint (DNSEI) in 2005. Radios were not working due to flaws in the antenna of the company that provides the service. Six portable radios were provided in 2005 to the Guassaule Border Crossing (DNSEI), Radios were working properly and being used to coordinate efforts to interdict and report smuggling of goods and people from Nicaragua. Six portable radios were donated to DNSEI in 2008; two were assigned to el Amarillo Border Crossing; and four to the Pavana checkpoint. Out of these four, two are not working and the rest are in good condition. They are being used for the police officers on duty during shifts.

Twenty-five radios, including antennas and three base consoles were provided to DNSEP; and were assigned to the National Penitentiary located in Tamaa; ten to the prison in San Pedro Sula, and five to the prison in Juticalpa. All radios are in excellent condition and are used for the prison guards to be in permanent communications within the prisons.

Communications Equipment
Thirteen desktop computers and three printers were provided to the Organized Crime Unit (OCU) in 2005. Two computers were destroyed in a fire two years ago, and the rest of the equipment is in fair condition. Four desktop computers, four printers, and one scanner were provided to the Human Rights Prosecution Office in 2006. This equipment is used to carry out its administrative work. The equipment is in good condition.

DNIC received two desktop computers, two printers, one scanner, three internal hard drives, and four Dell modules for Power Edge in 2006, and two Dell servers, and one software ISA server in 2008. The equipment is being used to increase the storage capability of information. Equipment donated in 2006 is in good condition, and the one donated in 2008 is in excellent condition.

The TIP Unit at DNSEI was provided with fifteen desktop computers, four laptops, fifteen printers, four scanners, three printers, and three copy machines in 2005; four printers in 2006; four wireless cards and one wireless router in 2007. The equipment is used to investigate TIP cases. The status of the equipment donated in 2005 shows that one laptop is missing; all printers are no longer functioning and rest is in good condition. Computer equipment donated in 2006 and 2007 are also in good condition. Two desktop computers, with sound amplification systems donated to DARESI in 2006 are in fair condition and are used to keep records of TIP cases and conduct training. The Preventive Police Office located in Bay Ireland was provided with two digital cameras and one video camera in 2008. These cameras are used for surveillance. The equipment is in excellent condition.

One laptop, two desktops and one printer were provided to the Pavana Checkpoint in 2006; three digital cameras, three camcorders and three digital media recorders were provided in 2008. The equipment is used to keep a better control of vehicles and people passing through this important checkpoint. The condition of the equipment donated in 2006 is good and the status of the equipment donated in 2008 is excellent. One desktop computer and one printer were donated to the Guasaule Border Crossing in 2006. This equipment is used to keep records; its condition is good. El Amatillo Border Crossing was provided with two desktop computers, one laptop and two laptop batteries in 2007. The equipment has the NACMIS installed and is being used to verify information. The status of this equipment is good. Border crossings and checkpoints located in the northwestern region received two laptops, five desktops, seven printers, nine DVD camcorders, nine digital cameras, two digital media records, and thee binoculars in 2008. The equipment is used for border control and interdiction operations. This equipment is in excellent condition.

During 2006, the polygraph unit at CEINCIO was provided with three MP3 players, four laptops with OEM software, two printers, one fax, and one scanner. The equipment is used to conduct polygraph tests at the request of different units of the National Honduran Police. Equipment is in good condition. CEINCO received two voice recorders, two camcorders, one digital cameo, and three USB' in 2006; two laptops iBase Designer software, Analyst's Notebook, one tower sever, three digital cameras, one multimedia projector, one projection screen and one DVD player were donated in 2007. The equipment is used to collect and analyze information related to organized crime, especially drug trafficking. All equipment is working properly and is in good condition.

Four desktop computers, four printers, four scanners, four digital cameras, and one router were provided to the Joint Task Force in 2008. This task force is formed by different units of the Honduran National Police. It is located at the International Airport. The equipment is used for registration control of suspect passengers and is in excellent condition.

Miscellaneous Equipment
The Ion scanner transferred to the DEA in 2007 has not been repaired.

A metal detector was donated to the DNSEP in 2008. It is located In the Juticlpa Prison. It is used for inspection of visitors. The machine is in excellent condition.

The following additional equipment was provided to DNSEP in 2008: one water pump, mattresses, footlockers were provided to the Central Penal Sanpedrano; one water pump, mattress, footlocker, and tactical gloves were provided to the Juticalpa prison; one water pump mattress, foolockers and tactical gloves were provided to the Penitenciaria Marco Aurelio Goto. The equipment was provided to improve the living conditions of the prison guards.

Status-Services

Construction Projects
A vehicle inspection ramp at the Pavana checkpoint was built in 2007. This ramp is being used by the Frontier Police to thoroughly inspect the undercarriage of the vehicles.

Communication towers were completed in the following locations:
Parana
Puerto Cortes
El Durazno

Demand Reduction Services
Combat TIP, through training, sensitizing government officials and other stockholders about Trafficking-in-Persons, particularly of adult women international Organization for Migration (IOM) is building capacity to assist victims of trafficking funded with a grant. Through a grant, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) is raising awareness about human trafficking prevention in key border and urban areas of Honduras.

A grant was implemented with Federacion de Organizaciones ara el Desarrollo de Honduras to promote academic tutoring, formation of civil and ethical values, skills and community service among youth that are or have been gang members.

Other Professional Services
A review and reform of the curriculum of the National Police Academy, improves the professionalism of the police through specialized courses.

Program Impact

Communications Equipment
The installation of NACMIS in more police stations around the country has connected HNP units in real time with main offices of the DNIC. Most of the kidnappings solved by the police in the North Region of Honduras were achieved with the information achieved from NACMIS. The first day NACMIS was installed in one of the police posts covering the main exit roads of Tegucigalpa, four individuals that had arrest warrants were captured. Over 23 million records can be accessed for criminal investigations.

Computer Equipment
Computer equipment donated to CEINCO and its Polygraph Unit assisted them in conducting 471 polygraph tests on members of the HNP and applicants to the National Police Academy in 2008. The equipment provided to the Joint Task Force located in Toncont International Airport led to verification of intelligence. Two million dollars in cash was seized as a result. Laptops provided to the different border crossings and checkpoints have the NASMIS installed and are used daily in road operations leading to the arrest of many individuals that have arrests warrants. With the equipment provided to DATESI, 17, 200 people including police prosecutors, judges and children from schools were trained against abuse, trafficking, and sexual exploitation in 2008.

Vehicles
The Vetted Unit vehicles were used in surveillance and monitoring of several people, which helped collect intelligence information, resulting in significant seizures of drugs and chemical precursors.

Construction Services
At the vehicle inspection ramp located in Pavana, an average of 70 vehicles per week are checked. One of the most recent results was the seizure of $26,000 that was found in the left door panel of a pickup. Without the communication towers, information sharing in real time would not be possible.

Demand Reduction Services
A Protocol for Repatriation of children and adolescent victims vulnerable to Trafficking in Persons was presented. The National Police, the Public Ministry, the Direction of Migration and Civil Society are taking steps forward to combat TIP.

Professional Services
A Police Academy Adviser developed a diagnosis of the General Direction of Police Education. Advice was provided to all directors of the different police training centers, and a standardization curriculum was proposed. Furthermore, 351 Honduran police officers were trained in specialized areas, such as crime scene investigation, police ethics, crisis management, organized crime and drug trafficking, police intervention, operational planning and domestic violence.

Problems and Corrective Action Plan

Unmonitored resources
Due to staff shortages, not all items donated in prior years could be inspected in 2008. Some items are being used by law enforcement in the field. Communication with the different recipient agencies is constant and any problem or achievement is immediately reported.

Lack of Use of Commodities
While conducting a visit to Penitenciaria Nacional Marco Aurelio Soto, mattresses donated for the prison guards were not being used because the windows of the barracks had no glass, and rain frequently flooded the entire room. The NAS spoke with the prison authorities who pledged to make the necessary arrangements. Subsequent exterior inspections show that glass was installed in the window.

Repair and Maintenance of Commodities
The lack of a budget to maintain and repair vehicles and equipment such as computers and printers continues to be a problem for the HNP. In many cases, equipment is being used in remote, undeveloped tropical locations which accelerate deterioration. Electrical supply is often poor, causing premature wear and tear on electrical devices. Such conditions are unavoidable and out of post's control. Representatives in the field express great appreciation for the donations but post needs to secure buy-in from the leadership and ensure they make the hard budgeting decisions needed to maintain the donations.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

U.S. Policy Initiatives and Programs The USG focus in Honduras is to address key challenges to security and law enforcement that affect both Honduras and the United States such as interdiction of drugs flowing through Honduras by air, sea or land, and the lack of public security because of gang-related and other organized crime. Bilateral Cooperation. In 2009, there was improved communication and coordination between U.S. law enforcement and intelligence entities (DEA and JIATF-S), and Honduran military and National Police elements reacting to narcotics air and maritime shipments. The USG funded construction of the Naval Base in Barra de Caratasca in 2009 and is scheduled to begin construction of a naval facility on the island of Guanaja (as soon as the political situation allows). A marked improvement in Honduran expertise using the Cooperating Nations Information Exchange System (CNIES), particularly on the part of the Honduran Navy, accounted for a great deal of the enhanced response. Additionally, the enhancement of a steady state response capability through the U.S. Southern Command, JIATF-S, and Joint Task Force Bravo Central Skies II program added a more timely and robust interdiction capability for the Honduran Tactical Response Team (TRT), which worked closely with the DEA. However, since the June 28 coup, the interdiction success rate decreased considerably as a result of the reassignment of security forces by the de facto regime to counter political unrest. Cooperation with Honduras via the bilateral maritime agreement remained strong in 2009. Under the agreement, the U.S. Coast Guard interdicted four Honduran flagged vessels, detained 24 suspected smugglers, and removed over 4.3 metric tons of cocaine. Drug trafficking organizations utilized Honduran flagged vessels in the transit zone to smuggle contraband, and several interdictions in countries along the transit zones involved Honduran crewmembers. The bilateral agreement with Honduras is a key element in the ability of USG interdiction assets to effectively deter drug trafficking organizations in the Western Caribbean.

Document: Bureau for International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs Program and Budget Guide, Fiscal Year 2010

Program: International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement

Program Objectives and Performance Indicators Enhance the abilities of the Government of Honduras (GOH) law enforcement agencies to detect and intercept shipments and detain traffickers.

• Increased number of interdictions and quantity of drugs and contraband seized.
• Increased number of arrests of drug traffickers and money launderers.

• Decreased gang-related crime.

• Consistent implementation of prison management reforms and procedures.

Document: U.S. Army Leads Multinational Peacekeeping Exercise in Guatemala

Program: Exercises

The U.S. Army is working hand-in-hand with the Central American Armed Forces Conference to enhance stability and cooperation throughout the region with their annual Peace Keeping Operations Exercise here.

The current three-week-long exercise consists of various training venues and culminates with a final command-post exercise Aug. 15-17 where students will get a chance to put into practice all the information and skills they learned during the annual Peace Keeping Operations Exercise

This is the third and final phase of annual exercises designed specifically for this region.

The conference, known as CFAC, is comprised of The Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Honduras and was established approximately a decade ago.

This annual exercise equips CFAC troops with the knowledge and tools to effectively execute peacekeeping missions and respond to natural disasters, within United Nations standards, throughout the region.

During this 16-day phase, a class consisting of 86 students representing the various countries, learn everything from convoy and security operations to medical evacuation and public affairs procedures all within United Nations guidelines.

The exercise took approximately 3 months of coordination and planning and the team is already looking to plan future exercises, said Kempf. “Next year, the focus country will be Chile, and in 2011, it will be in Brazil.”

The overall goal is to enhance interoperability and improve security and cooperation of the people in the region

Document: Honduras-based U.S. Army Helicopters Deploy to Nicaragua in Support of Humanitarian Mission

Program: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance

The mission of the Joint Task Force-Bravo helicopters will be to transport patients, some from remote areas, to sites in the vicinity of Corinto to receive free medical care and surgical screenings from Comfort’s medical personnel. The helicopters are scheduled to remain in Nicaragua for the duration of the two-week mission.
...
To date, the Continuing Promise teams have treated nearly 70,000 patients, provided health care education to thousands of people and immunized thousands of animals.

Document: U.S., Honduran Military Members Conduct Combined Jump Training

Program: Exercises

Nearly 200 U.S. Army and Honduran paratroopers and 10 U.S. Air Force aircrew members teamed up to complete combined jump training over the drop zone here May 16.

For the U.S. Soldiers and Airmen, it was an opportunity to train side-by-side with a partner nation and learn about their methods and procedures. For the majority of the Honduran "paracaidistas" -- or paratroopers -- the effort marked their first jump and the completion of a final prerequisite before they graduate from jump school.

Document: FY 2010 Congressional Budget Justification for Foreign Operations

U.S. foreign assistance to Honduras focuses on partnering with the Government of Honduras to enhance security, strengthen democracy and rule of law, improve the education and health systems, increase food security, improve the management of watersheds, conserve biodiversity, and build capacity to take advantage of opportunities under the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR).

Peace and Security: U.S. assistance will help improve the Honduran ability to interdict the transshipment of drugs and arms, address the increase in violence fueled by the drug trade and gangs, and respond to natural disasters. Anti-crime programs will help the Honduran security sector confront gangs, drug traffickers, and other organized criminal activities. Programs also will focus on supporting the reorganization of the Honduran military structure to meet new, transnational threats; enhance the military's efforts to better control its national territory, participate in international peacekeeping operations, respond to natural disasters, and conduct search and rescue operations; and increase the military's maritime security capabilities. Funding will provide maintenance support, spare parts, training, and upgrades to assist the armed forces in maintaining a level of operational readiness allowing them to project a secure presence in remote areas. This will complement efforts to counter the threat represented by the transshipment of drugs, arms, and people and enable a more effective response to natural disasters. Training will also be geared toward professional law enforcement and military education to improve civilian-military relations and regional integration and stability. Training will help reinforce the notion of civilian control of the military and promote human rights.

Governing Justly and Democratically: U.S. assistance will help improve key municipal services in up to 35 service delivery areas through strengthened management and oversight; engagement with civil society; and, partnership with national level institutions. The United States will target those services that are widely used in order to demonstrate the benefits of the decentralization of authority and resources. This will pave the way for the decentralization of other services and improve Honduran democracy by increasing citizen satisfaction with democratic government. Civil society will participate in the oversight of local service providers to ensure that services are responsive to citizens' needs, while local governments will develop mechanisms to solicit citizen participation and feedback on the performance of these service providers. At the national level, U.S. resources will support advocacy for decentralization policies, laws, budgetary structures, and frameworks. To promote rule of law through audit and accountability, U.S. assistance will help key Honduran agencies and non-governmental partners improve oversight, audit, and watchdog functions. The United States will also work with stakeholder coalitions and legal professional associations to further key rule of law and anticorruption reforms, including the Civil Procedures Code and Transparency Law. These coalitions and associations will also promote accountability and build internal demand for change in the rule of law sector. These activities will complement those expected to be carried out under the Merida Initiative, including activities targeted towards communities that are vulnerable to crime.

According to the most recent America Barometers survey, Honduras has the lowest level of public support for democracy of the 22 countries surveyed in the Americas as well as a low rate of public participation in 619 governance. However, Honduran civil society has advocated successfully for key reforms in various sectors, including elections, the selection of high government officials, and freedom of information. U.S. assistance will continue support for reforms and implementation of current laws that are critical for the democratic development of Honduras. This support will further promote partnership between civil society and government at both the national and local level. At the national level, this will include implementation of the Civil Procedure Code, Transparency Law and Nongovernmental Organization Law as well as improvements to the elections system. At the local level, U.S. assistance will help reinforce civil society efforts to oversee the allocation and management of public funds, increase access to public information, and improve the quality of local services.

After years of direct support to the judicial sector in Honduras, commitment to reform and full implementation of laws remains weak. In recent years, assistance has been instrumental in the development of new criminal and civil procedure codes, which are expected to lead to a restructuring of the justice system in Honduras. After greatly reduced funding in the Rule of Law and Human Rights program area in FYs 2008 and 2009, increased funds in FY 2010 for this program area will allow rebuilding for this program with new activities whose targets have yet to be defined. In FY 2010, the United States will advocate for legal reform and full implementation of existing laws (including the Civil Procedure Code and Transparency Law); increase support to Honduran civil society organizations that promote ethical standards among lawyers, judges, and prosecutors; and monitor the effectiveness of courts and other justice sector institutions. These efforts would help attack the current inertia in the Honduran judicial sector, build demand for full implementation of already adopted reforms and existing legal framework, and pave the way for future reforms.

In FY 2010, U.S. assistance will continue to support decentralization by concentrating its efforts at the local level. U.S. assistance directly supports local governments to increase transparency, partner with local civil society, and efficiently handle decentralized resources and authority. Increased numbers of local mechanisms supported by U.S. assistance to engage in local governments improves citizen engagement in local decisionmaking and social auditing, both key in promoting responsive governance from local authorities. Funds will foster advocacy for needed reforms to strengthen municipal autonomy through the Honduran Municipal Association. Additionally, the United States will also provide support for the transition in local governments following the 2009 municipal elections.

Investing in People: The United States will support the decentralization and improvement of the education and health systems. U.S. assistance under the Basic Education component of the President's Initiative to Expand Education (PIEE/BE) will measurably improve early grade competencies such as literacy, numeracy, arithmetic, and other basic skills. Emphasis will remain on improving the quality of teacher training, dramatically increasing the quantity of appropriate learning materials to the world's neediest, and monitoring and evaluating progress of the programs. The 2010 request for the PIEE countries may not include final funding for PIEE/BE. Final allocations of PIEE funds will be made at the time that the FY 2010 operating year budget is set, when more detailed background information is available. The goal is to reduce failure and repetition rates and increase student achievement. With more children graduating from primary school, serious problems in post-primary education must also be addressed. At the post-primary level of basic education, the United States will support work with the Honduran Ministry of Education to implement academic standards and achievement testing for grades 7-12. Innovative strategies will be introduced to improve the quality of post-primary and alternative education systems to prepare a better-educated and more competitive work force. The goal is that by 2015 all children will complete preschool and primary education, middle school enrollment will reach 70 percent, high school enrollments will increase, and Honduras will have updated, more relevant, and flexible post-primary and technical training programs.

In the health sector, U.S. assistance will support HIV prevention and surveillance, improvement in the quality of HIV/AIDS care, and strengthening of local institutional capacity for more effective programs. U.S. assistance will also support improved and expanded maternal and child health activities and accelerated decentralization of the national health system, including assisting the Ministry of Health to manage a decentralized system during the transition to newly elected national and local governments. Finally, U.S. programs will continue to expand access to high-quality, voluntary family planning services and information and sustainable reproductive health care. As part of the strategy to phase out family planning assistance by 2012, the United States will enhance Government of Honduras and private sector capacity to build on the substantial gains in family planning attained with previous U.S. assistance, including strengthening 621 contraceptive procurement systems and supporting the widespread commercial availability of contraceptives.

This indicator is also the main indicator for the Education for All-Fast Track Initiative (EFA-FTI), in which the United States is one of the leading donors. It is related to higher-level indicators for improvements in the efficiency and quality of education, with all children completing primary school by the year 2015. The U.S. has set a target of increasing the primary education completion rate by 2.5 percent, from 86.5 percent in FY 2008 to 89 percent in FY 2010. The baseline data for Honduras for the 1999 school year was 69 percent of the children completing primary school. It was no small achievement to increase the primary school graduation rate to 86.5 percent by FY 2008. The closer Honduras comes to 90 percent of children completing primary school, the more challenging it will become to continue improving completion rates. The additional FY 2010 funds will help the Government of Honduras achieve that target.

Economic Growth: Under the new Food Security Initiative, the United States will provide technical assistance to help small farmers reduce food insecurity. U.S. assistance will increase incomes and reduce vulnerabilities in some of the poorest areas of Honduras by improving productivity in basic grains, diversifying farmers into higher value crops and integrating farmers into new market opportunities. Programs will increase private investment in the agricultural sector and help farmers to compete in global markets and help Honduras manage its natural resources, watersheds, and tropical forests while conserving biodiversity and reducing pollution and vulnerability to natural disasters. U.S. assistance will also support more competitive and open markets by assisting Honduras to take advantage of CAFTA-DR through key trade and investment policy reforms and public/private-sector alliances to integrate small and medium enterprises into emerging markets with rural linkages (i.e., tourism, food processing, forestry and agriculture).

Under the new Food Security Initiative, in FY 2010 the U.S. will help small farmers reduce food insecurity resulting from climate change, input price increases, sale price volatility, and low yielding agricultural practices. The U.S. will increase incomes and reduce vulnerabilities in some of the poorest areas of Honduras by improving productivity in basic grains, diversifying farmers into higher value crops, and integrating farmers into new local market opportunities. New (net) farmer sales is an ideal indicator to measure the success of the overall program because food security in Honduras is primarily an issue of lack of household purchasing power to access food rather than of availability of adequate food supplies. Increased farming incomes results in more food security. This new initiative will integrate the successes of both of these programs by combining the market focus of the agricultural diversification program with the focus on working with the poorest of the poor of the food security program.

This new program will put more emphasis on working with rural small and medium enterprises in the forestry, agriculture and tourism sectors in order to raise rural household incomes and employment and thereby increase access to adequate food. While most of the firm and value chain work in the agriculture and forestry sectors will be funded under the agriculture program area, the United States will utilize the Private Sector Competitiveness Program Area to support work in the tourism sector in Honduras. With the increase in funding in FY 2010, new (net) small and medium enterprise sales are expected to increase by $30 million. U.S. economic policy and institutional strengthening work will be directly linked with the private sector priorities in these specific value chains.

Linkages with the Millennium Challenge Corporation Honduras signed a $215 million, five-year Compact with the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in 2005. The MCC program promotes agricultural diversification and the improvement of the national highway system to enhance Honduran capacity to respond to opportunities under CAFTA-DR.

Document: Sailors Bring Medical Care to Honduran Villages

Program: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance

U.S. Navy personnel from Operational Health Support Unit (OHSU) Dallas, Texas, completed two days of medical services to over 700 villagers in Agua Salada, Honduras, as part of their commitment to Beyond the Horizon 2009 – Honduras.

From March 25 to April 4, the Navy team of 32 Reserve component doctors, nurses, dentists, optometrists, pharmacists and hospital corpsmen are providing general medical care and diagnosis, dental check-ups and extractions, eye exams, prescription services and preventative care lessons to six different villages in rural Honduras.

“The main purpose of the mission for OHSU Dallas is training: deploying to an austere environment, providing care and redeploying safely,” said Lt. Cmdr. Deborah Greubel, a nurse practitioner overseeing the unit’s efforts in Honduras.

Document: Army Dentists Kick Off Beyond the Horizon Exercise

Program: Humanitarian and Civic Assistance

Eight dentists from the 808th Medical Dental Company, Fort Sheridan, Ill. [are] here to conduct a dental readiness training exercise in Comayagua, Honduras, as part of the larger Beyond the Horizon exercise taking place throughout Central America.
...
The children being seen on this mission are from two schools in the Department of Comayagua - Comal Huacan Village School in Valle de Angeles and Augusto C. Coello in Flores. The Ministry of Health works with JTF-B´s MEDEL liaison officer to determine who will benefit most from the services offered through medical and dental readiness missions.

The dental mission is expected to be complete March 7. Beyond the Horizon continues through June with teams conducting medical readiness exercises as well as several engineering projects.

Document: International Narcotics Control Strategy Report

The USG encourages the GOH to use existing money laundering laws more effectively to seize and use drug trafficking-related assets. While seized asset laws are in place, the process of using them needs to be made more efficient so there is a net gain in support to counternarcotics interdiction and prosecution. The GOH needs to continue work ton new laws to close legal loopholes on precursor chemical controls, which are not as strict as those of neighboring countries. The USG supports GOH plans to improve police operations that will focus on police training reforms, including basic ethics, and its efforts to make needed improvements to police communications and investigative techniques, as well as establish human rights training. Improvements are also needed in the prison system, to include measures to dismantle criminal organizations working from within the penitentiaries. The USG is prepared to provide assistance to help the GOH achieve these goals.

For its part, the USG will provide significant support in the coming year under the Merida Initiative--a partnership between the governments of the United States, Mexico, Central America, Haiti and the Dominican Republic to confront the violent national and transnational gangs and organized criminal and narcotics trafficking organizations that plague the entire region, the activities of which spill over into the United States. The Merida Initiative will fund a variety of programs that will strengthen the institutional capabilities of participating governments by supporting efforts to investigate, sanction and prevent corruption within law enforcement agencies; facilitating the transfer of critical law enforcement investigative information within and between regional governments; and funding equipment purchases, training, community policing and economic and social development programs. Bilateral agreements with the participating governments were in the process of being negotiated and signed at the time this report was prepared.