A project of Development and Peace will soon give new permanent houses, to some 450 families in Petit Boucan, a mountainous part, an isolated from the region of Gressier, whose house had been destroyed almost entirely by the earthquake of January 12, 2010. The houses will be for people identified as most vulnerable in the community, such as the elderly and single parents.

The project is implemented in collaboration with the Institute of Animation and Technology (ITECA), a Haitian partner of Development and Peace since 1988. ITECA has mobilized the community through consultations and ensured the participation of the population in the design of houses, which will contribute to the sustainability of the project.

This is the architectural firm ACDF of Quebec, which is responsible for the design of houses. They will be built according to earthquake standards, urricane resistant and equipped with systems to collect rain water and latrines. The community members will receive training from the ACDF in order to participate in the construction.

The project is undertaken with the financial support from the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) for a contribution of 4,997,436 dollars and that of Development and Peace of 1,645,500 dollars. "Working with a local organization that has earned the trust of the community, ensure that homes meet the real needs and realities of people living there. Our goal is to improve living conditions in the long run," declared Paul Cliche, Deputy Director of International Programs for Development and Peace.

The project should be completed by the end of 2012.

TB/ HaitiLibre