The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (Minustah), with the support of local organizations and authorities, continues to fund Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) to the benefit of the Haitian people.

Thus that was inaugurated a new water supply project in the Central Department, for the localities of Nan Pwa, of Madame-Cyr and surroundings. This project, built at a cost of $95,000 (95% of which was funded by the Mission) will allow more than 1,700 families in the region, about 13,800 people (including 7,156 women) to have access to drinking water for daily consumption needs, cooking and hygiene.

The implementation of this complex project, which was awarded to a Haitian civil engineering firm includes :

• The construction of a collection chamber of 4.8 cubic meters, a sedimentation tank and a tank of 30 cubic meters ;

• The installation of nearly 5.5 kilometers of pipes ;

• The construction of 7 water distribution points.

According to Gabriel Gardère, the Haitian engineer in charge of the implementation of the project "the main difficulty was the fact that the source was remote, in altitude and inaccessible. Despite this, the project was completed in two months and allowed us to create 250 temporary jobs for local residents."

This project is part of the policy of the Minustah to support the Government of Haiti in the implementation of projects against water-borne diseases which includes cholera. As noted by Mr. Pierre Ubalijoro, head of the Civil Affairs Section of the Mission "We are aware that this is not enough and that there is still much to do [...] The task is great but the UN system will continue to support the Haitian Government and the Central Department to strengthen the system of supply of drinking water."

This system, now under the responsibility of the National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation (DINEPA), must be "properly maintained and managed by the technical services and the population," concluded Jean-Pierre Louisat, the representative of the DINEPA at the opening ceremony.

HL/ HaitiLibre