Haiti
Building a better future
Improve the lives and livelihoods of thousands of people
through urban redevelopment
Project period: April 2015 to March 2017 Project cost: £690,150
Current phase: April 2016 to March 2017 Current year cost: £155,151
Ensure more than
7,000 people can:
decide how to improve
their local area,
feel safer and more
secure,
and manage community
projects.
THE CHALLENGE
On 12th January 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake struck Haiti near Port-au-Prince, killing
approximately 222,000 people. Its effects were so devastating partly due to the unplanned nature of
the city. Many people live on the sides of riverbanks or hillsides in houses they have built for
themselves out of any materials available, and there is a lack of services, roads, or public spaces.
Living conditions were worsened by the earthquake: over 188,383 houses were badly damaged,
and 105,000 were destroyed. 1.5 million people became homeless and, over six years on, 57,000
people are still living in temporary campsites. To this day, rubble, tents and makeshift camps
continue to line some of the streets in Port-au-Prince. This jeopardises the ability of people who
have been displaced from their homes to rebuild a safe and secure life for themselves.
THE PROJECT
Oxfam is continually seeking
opportunities to turn the page on
the 2010 earthquake. We are
currently running a long-term
development programme which
aims to help people rebuild their
lives, and make the area less
vulnerable
to
any
future
disasters. As part of this work,
this project seeks to support the
citizen’s of Port-au-Prince, who
have begun to reclaim their city
with a sense of dignity and
community, by:
The main public place in Croix Desprez located in front of the
market.
Photo: Noré Yonel/Oxfam.
Enabling men and women to
decide how to improve their
living conditions;
Making life safer and more secure; and
Building and repairing sustainable services and infrastructure, such as water facilities.
PROJECT IMPACT SO FAR
137 metres of ravine has been strengthened, and rubbish cleared from the area. As a result,
people have stopped throwing their rubbish into the ravine, reducing the risk of flooding.
50 solar lamps have been installed in public places, giving children a place to study. Before,
children would sit close to supermarkets in the evenings, using light from the shops to study.
Toilets have been built in five schools, which will be used by 504 children. Previously children
had to defecate in the open areas around the schools, which presented major health and
safety issues and also deterred many from attending lessons.
HOW YOUR SUPPORT WILL CHANGE LIVES
Enable men and women to decide how to improve their living conditions, so that 75 per cent
of residents report improvements in their living conditions by the end of the project
Provide coaching to community groups so that they can construct, maintain and manage new
infrastructure, such as roads, that will improve their quality of life.
Promote and publicise the project’s activities to improve the neighbourhood, and influence
community leaders and the local authority to provide support.
Make life safer and more secure so that 75 per cent of residents report an improved sense of
security in public places by project end
In years one and two of the project 50 solar lamps were installed, and 137 metres of ravine
were strengthened. The lamps gave people, particularly women, a greater sense of security at
night. The reinforcements will make ravines less vulnerable to future disasters. This year, we
will support local people to maintain the lamps, so they continue to operate into the future.
Build and repair sustainable infrastructure and services, in order to improve at least 10
public spaces, provide urban services for 7,000 people, and sanitation facilities for 1,500
people by the end of the project
Provide funding to local organisations for initiatives to improve the local area. So far, two
community initiatives have received funding, including an initiative which built stairs, roads, and
drain pipes in the shanty town of Galilee. This has allowed people to move in the area safely,
reduced the risk of flooding, and made it possible for vehicles such as ambulances to enter the
area in the event of emergencies.
Build a community water and sanitation centre, equipped with flushing toilets, hand washing
facilities, and showers. This will help prevent the spread of water borne diseases.
AMÉLIE’S STORY
Amélie Gué, 40 years old, has two children and also cares for
her husband’s nephew. However, a lack of income prevents
her from giving her children the opportunities she would like
them to have, and Amélie often struggles to send her children
to school.
“In the market we have many issues, but we have to deal with
them because this is our life. I would like to see the ravine
improved as it has become a dumping site for the community.
Each rainy season it is flooded, making the market
inaccessible. Public toilets are a very urgent issue for all of us:
the nearby residents have no latrines so defecate in plastic
bags and throw them into the ravine. Flies go back and forth
between the filth and our merchandise. Often the flies are
numerous, so we cannot sell our goods.”
Amélie Gué, a merchant in Croix
Desprez
Photo:
Noré
Yonel/Oxfam.
This year, the project will build public toilets near the market
where Amélie works. As well as enabling Amélie to sell more
goods and earn money to support her family, public toilets will
help to prevent diseases such as cholera from spreading.
THANK YOU for your interest in this project.