The Organization of American States (OAS) and the Haitian Ministry of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications today announced a contribution of $1.5 million from the private sector to the project FONCIER HAITI, elaborated by ONACA (National Cadastre Office) and the OAS.

The contribution is from Stewart Global Solutions, ESRI and Trimble Navigation, and will allow the government of Haiti to make short-term use of software and hardware equipment through FONCIER HAITI, as well as training and consulting. The contribution is in addition to the strategic cadastre and registration work the OAS has been conducting since June of this year in Haiti. OAS works closely with ONACA to make initial assessments and address the most pressing operational needs. Stewart Global Solutions, ESRI and Trimble Navigation have a renowned international leadership in different areas related to cadastre and property registration, and a long trajectory of collaboration with the OAS.

The Secretary General of the OAS, José Miguel Insulza, recalled the importance of cadastre modernization in Haiti. "Less than five percent of land is documented or registered, and for as long as there are only traditional customs the possibility of attracting foreign investment will not exist," he said.

The Assistant Secretary General of the OAS, Albert Ramdin, highlighted that "the leadership of the Haitian government, as the owner of this task, must be our guiding principle." And in the view of a necessary coordination of aid that the international community is providing in this task.

The project FONCIER HAITI, the purpose of which is the modernization of the cadastre and infrastructure of property rights, has the technical support of experts and institutions of the greatest international prestige, such as Quebec's Office of Cadastre, the Public Administration University of Quebec (ENAP), GeoQuebec, Stewart Global Solutions and the Institute for Freedom and Democracy (ILD), and is expected to be implemented in two phases that will be carried out during a period of seven years.

The first phase will address the needs of the cadastre based on the process of reconstruction, will carry out an important initiative to sensitize society, the legislative powers and political leaders, and will strengthen the institutional structure through personnel training.

During the second phase, a solid and sustained infrastructure of cadastre and registry will be developed, modernizing the framework and generating presence in all departments of the country. Participation of communities and respect for the rights of the most vulnerable groups constitute fundamental aspects of the project FONCIER HAITI.

S/ HaitiLibre