The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with local government, partners and community members of the municipality of Torbeck (South of Haiti) has initiated a project to solve the problems recurrent of flooding by putting in place effective systems for rainwater drainage (cleaning, repairs, construction of canals, canalisations...)

Flooding during the rainy season had been a constant problem in Torbeck’s community of Mahot and neighbouring areas, but the problem was aggravated five years ago when a road linking the southern towns of Les Cayes and Port Salut was completed. Theroad level was raised but no drainage structure had been set up for water evacuation...

The three-month project financed by the Government of Australia, which will be completed by the end of March has employed 172 men and women in masonry and construction work to date. UNDP and partners trained six community members as instructors, who provided guidance to other workers in laying rocks, grading structures and plastering walls. Other team leaders were more involved in masonry and stone work, supervising their peers and encouraging them to complete their work schedules. So far, 950 meters of canals have been repaired and curate and 650 meters of new drainage canals were built.

Eric John, a Mahot resident whose own home flooded in a recent rainfall welcomed the initiative. "I hope the drainage systems can also be improved in our neighbouring towns, who suffer from similar problems". this work has "dramatically solved the frequent flooding problems in the Mahot community" he hoped that UNDP could continue partnering with the government to help solve flooding problems in neighbouring villages.

HL/ HaitiLibre