In 2020, both the bilateral programme (HTI-003-B), belonging to the bilateral portfolio, and a delegated cooperation programme, Urbayiti, are active following the satisfactory conclusion of the four interventions implemented in the multilateral framework together with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) and the Government of Haiti. The FCAS actions represent the largest investment of the Spanish Cooperation in Haiti, and the largest FCAS donation in the entire region, with a budget that exceeds 119 million euros in total donations. The FCAS in Haiti has promoted the coordination of actors and the search for synergies with the IDB, another of the main actors in the sector, forging a powerful alliance.
The FCAS has 3.4 million potential beneficiaries in 32 locations across the country, including many of the country’s major cities. Emergency interventions activated after the 2010 earthquake also benefited around six million people.
Programmes in Haiti have supported sector reform and the creation of DINEPA and decentralised structures. In the early years, programmes responded to the earthquake emergency and funds were directed to respond to the 2011 cholera epidemic. In Port-au-Prince, the availability of the water resource for the city was improved and support was given to the new operator involved in the provision of services.
The activities of this active bilateral programme during 2020 have been affected by the pandemic caused by COVID-19 which, together with the situation of social and political instability in the country, has further emphasised the challenge involved in continuing with the normal development of the programme’s activities. However, despite the adverse circumstances experienced during the past year, progress has been made in several cities where work is being carried out, namely Mire baláis, Aquino, Júreme, Cabaret, Archie, Hinche, Cabo Haitiano, Petito Goave, Limonada and Ti tañen.
With regard to the water collection, storage and distribution works, the commissioning of a water tank at Archie has been completed, and at Hinche the materials have been received and work and exploratory boreholes will begin shortly. In Cap-Haïtien, work on the first batch will be completed in the first quarter of 2021, and the second batch will begin around the same time. In Aquino, more than 50% of the works have already been completed, and in Mire baláis the improvement of the adduction and extension of the distribution network has already been completed.
In terms of excreta treatment, the programme focuses on the development of the country’s sanitation and hygiene strategy. Activities are focused on the construction of two excreta treatment plants for sludge management in two locations: Ti Tañen, for the Port-au-Prince metropolitan region, and Limonada, in Cap-Haïtien. Progress is currently being made on both works: in Ti Tañen, the contract has already been awarded, and in Limonada, the bids received are being evaluated. In addition, during 2020, the process of defining the strategy for the promotion of good hygiene and sanitation practices was carried out, which will begin in 2021 and will focus on putting an end to open defecation in rural environments. Furthermore, the national strategy for raising public awareness of good practices for the prevention of COVID-19 was reinforced.
