The Global Environment Facility for Least Developed Countries has approved an amount of US$4.5 million for the implementation of the project to strengthen the climate resilience of the drinking water sector in Haiti. About 130,000 people in the Southeast will be able to directly benefit from more reliable access to drinking water services.

Under the direction of the Ministry of the Environment and the National Drinking Water and Sanitation Department (DINEPA), with the support of the NGO Helvetas, implementation partner, this project, whoe the duration will extend over a period of 5 years, will work closely with communities, local organizations and government institutions to propose multiple solutions to the problem of water.

The project has three main objectives : to improve knowledge and awareness of the impacts of climate change on the drinking water sector in Haiti; strengthen policies, regulations and institutional capacities for the management of drinking water; and promote practices to increase the supply of clean water.

At the national, regional and local levels, the project will train staff assigned to the governance of the water sector on the management of water resources based on evidence related to climate resilience, and on land use planning.

At the same time, communities themselves will be equipped to better plan their responses to the impacts of climate change on drinking water, through the establishment of community groups to oversee inclusive and continuous management of water resources at the local level.

The capacities of women in particular, given the disproportionate impact of drinking water shortages and poor water quality on their health, will be strengthened to be able to implement land use plans and water management plans developed by the project.

Recognizing the burden of environmental degradation and the power of nature in adaptation solutions, the project will rehabilitate 700 hectares of land through agro-forestry and reforestation of 3,840 hectares.

The project will create incentives and capacities in communities to maintain restored ecosystems, culminating in the development and implementation of technology and financial packages for conservation and agro-forestry through a Cash 4 Work program (C4W). In the case of agro-forestry, the community will reap significant livelihood benefits.

The project should be launched in early 2023

HL/ HaitiLibre