Haiti

Haiti occupies the western third of the island Hispaniola, the remaining eastern two-thirds of the island make up the Dominican Republic. Haiti has a rapidly growing population of about 10.5 million people. It is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and is ranked 168 of the Human Development Index. Due to decades of violence, unrest and the many natural disasters, the country has hardly any economic development and there is no question of a properly functioning government. Haiti consists mainly of hills and mountains. The vast majority of the population is engaged in agriculture in difficult circumstances. Many Haitians seek refuge in the cities.

Our ambition in Haïti

Join For Water now concentrates its activities in Haïti on two zones: the north-west and Belladère in the Centre. Together with its partners, Join For Water focuses on river basin management, according to the principles of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). This approach takes into consideration all users - people, animals and nature within an entire area - and requires a lot of consultation. Increasing food security is an important ambition, because many Haitians suffer from hunger. 

Our activities in Haïti

In the Moustiques river basin, in the northwest, Join For Water is continuing its work to rehabilitate and expand drinking water infrastructure; source management; user and management committee training; training and awareness on good hygiene practices; and waste management. Growing vegetables in the valleys and on the slopes requires both irrigation and drainage; protection against erosion on the slopes and the formation of irrigation committees. 

In the Belladère area, in the basin of the Onde Verte river, centrally located in Haiti, Join For Water does not carry out any more infrastructure works, but supports and strengthens the drinking water committees. For its activities on IWRM, Join For Water concentrates on protection of the area and irrigation in a number of pilot sites.   

In the basins of the Catinette, Denisse and Moustiques rivers in the Môle Saint Nicolas zone in the northwest, people live in severe food insecurity. The climate is extremely dry, the infrastructure is poor and basic services such as drinking water are scarce. By focusing on IWRM, more locally produced food should be available. 

In the large basin of Trois Rivières, in the northwest, Join For Water works to improve food security. The inhabitants of this area have limited access to water, which makes it difficult to grow food. In three municipalities, Join For Water coordinates consultations on the management of water, soil and ecosystems. 

Our partners in Haïti

• ODRINO
• CBVRM - Comité de bassin versant Rivière Moustiques
• ITECA - Institut de Technologie et d'Animation
• ACF – Action contre la Faim
• Heifer
• Gret

Financing and support

• DGD - Directorate-general Development Cooperation
• EU - European Union
• Provincia de Brabante Flamenco
• Duror (Terre Bleue) a través de Entrepreneurs pour Entrepreneurs
• North Sea Port a través de Entrepreneurs pour Entrepreneurs
• Municipio de Berlare