USAID CBJ FY 2002: Haiti

Summary: The environmental challenges confronting Haiti are among the most severe in the world. This strategic objective seeks to slow the rapid pace of environmental degradation by improving natural resource management through three intermediate results: 1) Increased adoption of sustainable natural resource management practices, 2) Replication of successful models of watershed/catchment rehabilitation, and 3) Civil society organizations implementing environmental solutions. Principal customers include small agricultural producers, urban charcoal users, and residents in several strategic watersheds. Some of the activities, particularly soil and water conservation structures, are supported by the Mission's P.L. 480 Title II Program.

Key Results: Increased Adoption of Sustainable Natural Resource Management Practices: The number of farmers benefiting from the USAID environmental program increased from 204,000 to 246,000, exceeding the target by 20%. The introduction of new marketing channels, distribution of improved germplasm, construction of water-harvesting structures, and launching of other income-generating activities attracted more farmers than expected. The number of trees planted or grafted also surpassed the target by 30%, for a total of 4 million. As a result, soil erosion, loss of soil fertility, and other damage that traditionally accompanies tropical downpours have been visibly and dramatically reduced in all areas of USAID interventions.

The second phase of the Improved Stoves and Fuel Substitution Project was initiated in FY 2000. Its goal is to decrease the rate of deforestation in Haiti by promoting the use of energy-efficient technologies such as wood and gas stoves, kilns, and ovens. Within a three-month period, over 3,500 wood stoves and 380 kerosene stoves and ovens were produced and sold.

Replication of Successful Models of Watershed Rehabilitation: During FY 2000, USAID's environmental program continued to focus on the establishment of a community-based watershed management program on the upper watershed of the Rivière Grise/Blanche. The project has grown from successful interventions in one sub-watershed to successful activities in a total of six watersheds covering an area of more than 50 square kilometers. Soil and water conservation structures on the hills above the Miragoâne Lake were completed under the P.L. 480 Title II Program, thus protecting several micro-watersheds above the lake. USAID's programs also provide assistance to farmers to improve land use in other major watersheds such as Marigot, Peredo, Grande-Rivière du Nord, and Mirebalais-Lascahobas.

Civil Society Organizations Implementing Environmental Solutions: To ensure effective management of Haiti's natural resources and watersheds, the Citizen Environmental Network Program successfully helped establish 54 civil society organizations and community groups. These groups have demonstrated a tremendous amount of energy and interest, taking the lead in rehabilitating their natural resource base by planting trees and carrying out other biomass re-vegetation activities, for example, sowing hedgerows and cover crops. Due to funding interruptions, the environmental education and public awareness programs have been put on hold until the next fiscal year. The Haitian Environmental Foundation (HEF), funded in 2000, has begun to put its operating structure in place and recruit staff. Draft HEF operation and administrative procedure manuals have been completed. In recognition of the strength and dynamism of the group, the Hemispheric Network of Environmental Foundations (REDLAC) has asked HEF to act as their coordinator for the Caribbean.

Performance and Prospects: The land recuperation and rehabilitation techniques promoted by USAID represent excellent models for how appropriate farming technologies in the upper portions of a watershed can have a positive impact on severely-degraded hillsides and reduce flooding and sedimentation downstream. Despite the funding suspensions and the difficulties of working in largely inaccessible watershed areas, a remarkable amount of basic community organizational and mobilization work was achieved, including the development of best agricultural and natural resource practices for the management of the upstream portions of the watersheds. Continued strengthening of civil society organizations will foster transparent, participatory decision-making processes. The development of land use management plans to promote natural resources management practices will continue. Environmental education programs using various media will be developed to encourage adoption of these practices. USAID will promote better synergies between this strategic objective and Strategic Objective 1 (Sustainably Increased Income for the Poor) by creating linkages between agricultural production, processing, and marketing.

During FY 2001, Phase Two of the Lake Miragoâne watershed rehabilitation project will expand protection activities to surrounding micro-watersheds. Additional P.L. 480 Title II funds will be leveraged to pay for conservation works in the Rouyonne River watershed. Completion of these activities will protect the city of Léogâne, a frequent victim of rainy season flood damage. Technical assistance will also continue to flow to HEF for the establishment of financial and administrative management systems to facilitate linkages between HEF and local organizations implementing environmental activities. The improved stoves and fuel substitution program will continue demonstrating that improved and appropriate energy-efficient technologies at the household and small enterprise level are economically and environmentally beneficial.

During FY 2001, approximately $3.6 million will be used to reduce environmental degradation through community work in key watersheds. This will cover remaining environmental activities under the Winrock contract through September 2002.

Possible Adjustments to Plans: USAID had originally planned to develop a Phase II Rivière Grise/Blanche watershed project to include a middle watershed and a lower watershed component, thus creating a constituency for holistic river basin management. After a strategic evaluation, however, the mission has dropped these plans and will terminate the project upon completion of work in 2002 on the upper watershed.

Other Donor Programs: The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the World Bank, Canada, and the European Union are prepared to support environmental activities, including the water and energy sectors. However, because of the current political impasse, funds have not been released to the Government of Haiti. These investments would include support to activities identified in the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). The Dutch Government provides $250,000 as co-funding to the CARE Energy-Environmental Project.

Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: Winrock International, Pan American Development Foundation, CARE, and South-East Consortium for International Development. These institutions work in partnership with many non-governmental organizations.

Haiti: 521-002

U.S. Financing

(In thousands of dollars)

	Obligations		Expenditures		Unliquidated
Through September 30, 1999	0	DA	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	7,439	ESF	5,612	ESF	1,827	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF
	0	0	0	DFA	0	DFA
Fiscal Year 2000	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD
	4,677	ESF	3,058	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA	0	DFA
Through September 30, 2000	0	DA	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	12,116	ESF	8,670	ESF	3,446	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA		DFA	0	DFA
Prior Year Unobligated Funds*	0	DA
	0	CSD
	0	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA
Planned Fiscal Year 2001 NOA	0	DA
	0	CSD
	3,596	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA
Total Planned Fiscal Year 2001	0	DA
	0	CSD
	3,596	ESF
	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA
			Future Obligations		Est. Total Cost
Proposed Fiscal Year 2002 NOA	0	DA	0	DA	0	DA
	0	CSD	0	CSD	0	CSD
	0	ESF	0	ESF	15,712	ESF
	0	SEED	0	SEED	0	SEED
	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF	0	CACEDRF
	0	DFA	0	DFA	0	DFA

Haiti

Activity Data Sheet

Haiti: 521-002

U.S. Financing