Financing Climate Resilience in Fragile States: Experimental Evidence from Haiti

Governments in fragile states commonly lack the resources and capacity to respond to climate-related disasters. As a result, climate-resilience and disaster-preparedness projects are frequently financed and implemented by non-state actors. These arrangements can provide much-needed support, but may, at the same time, weaken trust in government and reduce support for taxation, both of which are essential for long-term state capacity and conflict prevention. How can, then, disaster preparedness be financed in fragile states without undermining state authority? This study uses two survey experiments to address this question. First, it examines whether transparency and limited but visible state involvement in externally funded projects can help preserve institutional trust, even when governments do not provide funding. Second, it explores how increased concern about climate risks leads people to prioritise climate adaptation over other pressing needs, such as security, and whether it increases support for redistributive taxation to expand local public budgets. The focus is on Haiti, one of the world’s most disaster-prone and institutionally fragile countries. The project adds to research on climate change, public finance, and conflict, and offers practical insights for financing climate adaptation in fragile states.