The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will invest US $ 65 million in Haiti to improve drinking water and sanitation services in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and in rural areas particularly affected by the hurricane Matthew.

The funds will help improve the sanitary situation in Port-au-Prince and rural communities by supplying them with drinking water and sanitation services and enhancing hygiene practices, including menstrual hygiene, and focusing on the needs of the population living in the areas affected by the latest hurricane.

The project will also strengthen the ability of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region’s Technical Service Center (CTE-RMPP, after its French initials) to improve the company’s financial sustainability, as well as the capabilities of the Regional Drinking Water and Sanitation Office of the West (OPERA West) and of the National Drinking Water and Sanitation Agency (DINEPA).

Hurricane Matthew has caused major damage to drinking water systems in the departments of Nippes, Sud and Grand 'Anse. Total losses caused to the sector by climate events have been estimated at $20.6 million, including $14.2 in damages caused in rural areas, where some 700,000 people have been left without access to drinking water. Some 60 drinking water facilities have been severely damaged or totally destroyed.

This third operation will help take the number of household water connections from 45,000 to 100,500 and the number of kiosks from 185 to 280, while 12,000 new condominium connections will be added. All in all, this will raise the share of the population with access to drinking water services from 44% now to 60%.

HL/ HaitiLibre