Haiti

Lack of access to drinking water is a severe public health problem. Water-related diseases are a major reason for child mortality, which ends the lives of 30.000 children under five years old every year. Infrastructure is scarce. In a town like Gonaïves for example, 70% of homes do not have latrines. There is a lack of infrastructure with pumps and wells often overcrowded. Sanitation infrastructure is not maintained, drainage channels are blocked and odors build up in the poorest areas, often causing serious flooding.
Program Information
Directing HQ:
Action Against Hunger - FranceLaunch Date:
January 1985World Region:
AmericasLocation(s):
Port de Paix, Saint-Louis du Nord, Gonaïves, Anse Rouge, JérémieExpatriates:
7Local Staff:
56Beneficiaries:
66,533peopleFunding:
EuropeAid, OFDA/USAID, DFID, SCAC, CIDA, UNICEF, WFP, FAO,Humanitarian Context
- Haiti is one of the poorest countries in the world. Its history is marked by a series of dictators and economic and political crises.
- Public services and international aid have been paralysed in some parts of the country in protest at the established regime.
- Violence, insecurity and drug trafficking are everyday occurrences in many urban areas like Cap-Haïtien, Jacmel and Gonaïves.
- The economic crisis has led to a substantial decrease in agricultural activity as well as de-industrialisation and black market employment. Two out of every three homes are living below the poverty line and the unemployment rate is 50%. Many people try to escape to Florida and Santo Domingo on rubber rings and rafts.
- The insurrection of February 2004 has worsened the humanitarian situation, especially the nutrition status of children under five.
Area(s) of Work
Food Security:
- Distribution of seeds and farming tools
- Rehabilitation and conditioning of production means in rural areas
- Support to most vulnerable household economies
- Food security surveys
Water & Sanitation:
- Distribution of drinking water using tank trucks
- Construction and rehabilitation of potable water networks
- Water Management Committees
- Distribution of hygiene kits
- Training in hygiene
- Construction and rehabilitation of wells and water sources
- Construction of latrines












