The political situation in Haiti in recent decades has been marked by repeated crises, such as coups d’état, foreign intervention or dictatorships with outbreaks of violence, human rights violations and chronic instability. There is a broad lack of constitutionality, institutional structures and collective rules of behaviour. This situation is compounded by numerous other factors, including corruption, impunity from punishment, electoral fraud, criminalised bands, drug trafficking and the readiness to settle conflict violently.

Development Cooperation between Haiti and the Federal Republic of Germany dates back to the 70s, but has been repeatedly interrupted by internal conflicts and the inadequate structural environment. In 2000 electoral manipulation again prompted the Federal Republic of Germany in combination with the other EU states to reduce its involvement. Ongoing technical cooperation projects were continued, but no new projects were agreed.

Faced with extremely poor socioeconomic conditions and chronic political instability, the Haitian interim Government, with support from the donor community, drew up an Interim Cooperation Framework (Cadre de Coopération Intermédiaire) for the two-year period until the next election. The German Government also participated in this programme.

After the Reproductive Health Project comes to an end in August 2007, GTZ will be present in Haiti only in the context of multi-country projects.