As part of a civil-military operation to boost the economy and tourism of the Ile à Vache [South Coast of Haiti], at the request and in coordination with the Haitian authorities, a detachment of the Brazilian military contingent of genius and 16 Haitian masons hired for the duration of the project, began in late June, the construction of a covered market in the village of Madame Bernard, on Ile à Vache.

This project is funded by the Minustah to the tune of 210,000 U.S. dollars, and is implemented jointly by the civil, military and police components of the Minustah, local authorities, the Ministry of Tourism and the NGO "Soul of Haiti".

According to Lieutenant Commander Sean Stevens, in charge of the project for the military component of the Minustah this market will bring a lot to the population of the "Ile à Vache, renowned for being one of the last pearl of the Caribbean, is an area where the Haitian government has an ambitious project of tourism development." There is already a market on the island but is in an unhealthy area, improper for trade. "Our goal is therefore to support the Haitian government by giving life to another market to which the entire population of the village and surrounding islets will have access, a market in which the authorities may rely to develop local tourism, and improve the living conditions of all inhabitants."

Due to the geographical situation of the island, the operation managed from Port-au-Prince and the Capital of the Department of the South (Les Cayes) is complex. Some of the staff was transported by helicopter directly on the island, while more than 117 tons of sand and gravel and more than 100 tons of various materials are transported to the island by boat from the wharf of Les Cayes.

This market is expected to open in late August during an inauguration ceremony and of official handover of the facilities to the authorities.

HL/ HaitiLibre