2013 Taiwan-Haiti Final Report

Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Project in the Southeast Department of Haiti and the Border Region of the Dominican Republic

Final Report April - October 2013

padf

P A N A M E R I C A N D E V E L O P M E N T F O U N D AT I O N

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS AND MITIGATION PROJECT IN THE SOUTH EAST DEPARTMENT OF HAITI AND THE BORDER REGION OF THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

FINAL REPORT APRIL – OCTOBER 2013

Prepared by the Pan American Development Foundation December 6, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS ................................................................................................................................... i LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES ..................................................................................................................... iii LIST OF ACRONYMS.................................................................................................................................... iv I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .......................................................................................................................... 1 II. KEY OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................... 1 A. Pillar 1: Capacity building of the local committees of the DPC and the local community-based groups ....................................................................................................................................................... 2 B.

Pillar 2: Disaster Mitigation............................................................................................................ 3

C.

Pillar 3: Strengthening Bilateral Relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic ................ 3

III. SELECTION OF AREAS OF INTERVENTION ............................................................................................. 4 3.1 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF SELECTED COMMUNES ............................................................ 5 3.1.1 Marigot ......................................................................................................................................... 6 3.1.2 Thiotte .......................................................................................................................................... 7 3.1.3 Grand Gosier ................................................................................................................................ 7 3.1.4 Anse à Pitre .................................................................................................................................. 8 3.1.5 Belle Anse .................................................................................................................................... 8 IV. COMPLETED ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................................... 9 4.1 PILLAR 1 : CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEES OF THE DPC, AND THE LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED GROUPS ................................................................................................................... 10 4.1.1

First Aid and Search and Rescue Training .......................................................................... 11

4.1.2

Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Training (EDAB).............................................. 13

4.1.3

Training on GPS use and General Mapping ....................................................................... 14

4.1.4 Distribution of Disaster Response Materials.............................................................................. 16 4.2

PILLAR 2: DISASTER MITIGATION ............................................................................................... 17

4.2.1 Project: work of vegetation on the Bank of the Pavée River for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Peredo ........................................................................................................... 20 Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the South-East of Haiti

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4.2.2 Project: drainage works on the road to Thiotte for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Marie Madeleine .................................................................................................................... 22 4.2.3 Project: remediation of the water system in Grand Gosier gabions from the shore of the Kenbethior ravine for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Marre Geoffrey. ........ 23 4.3

PILLAR 3: STRENGTHENING BILATERAL RELATIONS.................................................................. 25

4.3.1

Activities completed ........................................................................................................... 26

4.3.2 Bilateral Meetings on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation on the Haiti-DR Border (October 2-3, 2013). ............................................................................................................................ 28 V. COMMUNICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING ................................................................................ 30 VI. MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS ............................................................................................................... 31 6.1 Overall Accomplishments ........................................................................................................... 31 6.2.

Job Creation and Beneficiaries of Mitigation interventions ....................................................... 33

VII. FINAL FINANCIAL REPORT .................................................................................................................. 34 VIII. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS ..................................................................................... 36 LESSONS LEARNED............................................................................................................................ 36 CONCLUSIONS..................................................................................................................................... 37 LIST OF ANNEXES .................................................................................................................................... a A. Project Fact Sheet ............................................................................................................................. a B.

Project Logical Framework ............................................................................................................... a

C.

Press Releases ................................................................................................................................... a

D.

Curriculum taught during training sessions ...................................................................................... a

E.

Bilateral Meeting Agenda held in P-au-P, Oct. 2-3, 2013 and list of participants .......................... a

F.

Agreement in Principle ..................................................................................................................... a

G.

Success Stories .................................................................................................................................. a

H.

Project Pictures ................................................................................................................................. a

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LIST OF TABLES AND FIGURES The South East Department .......................................................................................................................... 5 Haitian National Risk and Disaster Management System (SNGRD) ............................................................ 9 Table 1: Breakdown of Participants ............................................................................................................ 12 Table 2: EDAB Training Participant Breakdown ...................................................................................... 13 Table 3: List of Megaphone Distribution .................................................................................................... 17 Table 4: Additional Prepositioned Material ................................................................................................ 17 Table 5: Mitigation Projects Executed by MT Construction ...................................................................... 18 Table 6: Number of Jobs Created ............................................................................................................... 33 Table 7 : Training Beneficiaries (direct) ..................................................................................................... 34 Table 8: Bénéficiaires des actions de mitigation......................................................................................... 34 Table 9 : Updated Program Expenditure..................................................................................................... 35

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LIST OF ACRONYMS CADECS

Conseil d’Appui au Développement Communautaire -Community Development Support Councils

CAEPA

Comités d’Approvisionnement en Eau Potable et Assainissment-Local Potable Water and Sanitation Committees.

CASEC

Conseil d'Administration de la Section Communale- Communal Section Administration Council

CCPC

Comité Communal de Protection Civile Community-based Civil Protection Committees

CTD

Coordination Technique Départementale Technical Coordination for the South East Department

COUN

Centre d’Operations d’Urgence National (COUN)National Emergency Operations Center

CPR

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation

DPC

Direction de la Protection Civile-Department of Civil Protection

DINEPA

Direction Nationale d’Eau Potable et d’Assainissement -National Water and Sanitation Directorate

DRR

Disaster Risk Reduction

EDAB

Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis

GPS

Global Positioning System

GoH

Government of Haiti

ICDF

International Cooperation and Development Fund (Taiwan)

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OAS

Organization of American States

PNGRD

Plan National De Gestion de Risques et Désastres National Emergency Plan

MTPC

Ministère des Travaux Publics et des Communications--Ministry of Public Works and Communications

SNGRD

Système National de Gestion des Risques et des Désastres-National Disaster Risk Management System

SOPs

Standard Operating Procedures

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I.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Project in the South-East Department of Haiti and the Border Region of the Dominican Republic is an innovative crisis and risk prevention intervention project that combines high technology innovation with low technology solutions to reduce the impact of natural disasters on the communities living in South-East Haiti and on the South- East border region between Haiti and the Dominican Republic (DR).

The project, made possible through a generous grant from the Republic of China (ROC-Taiwan), focused on improving synergies between the various actors in the disaster response and mitigation arena in the South-East Department. The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF) collaborated closely with the Department of Civil Protection (DPC) and its civil protection structures, the municipal governments, and the affected communities for the implementation of the proposed activities. The project reinforced the capacity of these structures, including the capacity of the local civil protection committees to respond to disasters through information sharing, targeted training, and open channels of communication facilitated by the Mayor’s offices, and community-based organization leaders. The introduction of new technology, the localized structural reinforcement projects, and the strengthening of relationships between the border communities of Pedernales, DR and Anse-à-Pitres, Haiti produced measurable and sustainable outcomes. Communities selected under this program are now better prepared to respond to natural disasters, as the project aided communities to streamline their disaster response process by providing the local Community-based Civil Protection Committees (CCPC), and the DPC’s technical coordination officers with the tools needed to orchestrate appropriate, timely and orderly response. The project was completed in a six-month time frame and benefited 257,950 people1.

II.

KEY OBJECTIVES

The community-based disaster preparedness and mitigation project in the South-East Department of Haiti originally targeted six communes, one of which borders the Dominican Republic. It leveraged PADF’s expertise and local experience with local communities to strengthen the capacity of local Community Development Support Councils (CADECS) and CCPC to prepare for natural disasters, and coordinate local actions with the DPC offices. The South-East Department of Haiti is regularly hit by hurricanes and tropical storms, such as the recent hurricanes Isaac and Sandy in late 2012, which caused great human suffering and displacement of local inhabitants in both countries.

Ultimately, the project supported low-income communities in the target communes to be better prepared for future natural disasters and mitigate the damage caused by these natural events.

1

See Tables 6, 7 and 8 for breakdown of beneficiaries.

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The project had the following key objectives: 1. Reduce the impact of natural disasters on the lives of the residents in the communes of the South-East Department of Haiti and the border region of the Dominican Republic using the field activities to build greater cross border cooperation.

2. Identify and address potential disaster risks and imminent threats to the border communities by organizing responses using joint Haitian-Dominican resources 3. Develop, with community structures already in place and with community leaders, preparedness and prevention measures to minimize risk and mitigate damages from future natural disasters.

4. Reinforce the capacity of the regional DPC offices to use new technology and work with community leaders and local organizations to develop clear contingency and preparedness plans that respond to local needs.

5. Adopt community-based measures to reduce the risk of vulnerability and develop monitoring processes to ensure preparation for pre-disaster and post-disaster actions, in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

6. Further strengthen cross border preparedness and mitigation activities that reinforce binational cooperation at the national and local level.

In consultation with the local authorities, the DPC, and community representatives, PADF identified three main pillars of activities, with communications as a crosscutting activity across all pillars: 

Pillar 1: Build the capacity of the local committees of the DPC, and of the local community-based groups.



Pillar 2: Disaster Mitigation



Pillar 3: Strengthening bilateral relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic

Working collaboratively with the selected municipal offices and in accord with the civil protection community structures, PADF identified activities for each pillar, which reflected the needs of the community at the onset of the 2013 hurricane season.

A. Pillar 1: Capacity building of the local committees of the DPC and the local communitybased groups Under this pillar, PADF aimed to: 1. Strengthen the capacity of local civil protection committees by providing technical assistance through the Coordination of Civil Protection in the South-East. Twelve training sessions were planned for six communes identified.

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2. Broaden the base of local committees of civil protection via the CADEC, a communal platform for the support of community-based organizations.

3. Strengthen the planning capacity of the management team of the Civil Protection Coordination by making available 12 handheld Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and providing customized training for handling these tools and their use in the mapping of risk.

4. Enhance communication capacity of the local committees through the delivery of 30 loudspeakers, which will be available at the communal sections offices, supporting their capacity to deliver to large audiences the alert programs and messages prepared by the DPC and the local technical coordination offices.

B. Pillar 2: Disaster Mitigation Based on last the Government of Haiti’s (GOH) 2010 emergency plan, PADF, in collaboration with the CADEC and the local mayors were to identify risk reduction activities that would attenuate the vulnerabilities of the local inhabitants. Identified projects included: 

Sanitation projects or rehabilitation of the infrastructure for water resources



Securing ravines and river banks



Protection and improvements to local roads, and vulnerable communities

C. Pillar 3: Strengthening Bilateral Relations between Haiti and the Dominican Republic Given the close proximity of Haitian and Dominican communities to areas of potential risk it was imperative that both sides of the border communicate and coordinate any risk reduction or response plans that may impact the communities on either side of the border. Under this pillar PADF aimed to: 

Develop and strengthen bilateral relations between the Haitian DPC and the Dominican Republic Civil Defense2 (Defensa Civil).

2

Defensa Civil is the agency at the level of the Dominican Government that is responsible for civil protection at all levels, including in disaster risk response and mitigation. Supported by other agencies, the Defensa Civil also runs the COE (Centro de Operaciones de Emergencia- the Operations Center for Emergencies), which is directly responsible for immediate response.

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o Through inter-exchanges and information sharing events in both national capitals and on the border area of Anse-à-Pitres and Pedernales. o Through fostering better understanding of the capacities of each institution for responses at the border. 

III.

Establish PADF as a mediator between these two institutions, to facilitate bi-national discussions on disaster preparation in the border area.

SELECTION OF AREAS OF INTERVENTION

PADF selected the South-East Department in the implementation of this project for several reasons: 1. As mentioned previously, the South-East Department borders to the east the Dominican Republic, and is often the site of recurring floods and other natural disasters that impact communities on both sides of the border; 2. In addition, natural disaster preparedness and mitigation in Haiti and promoting greater cross border cooperation with the Dominican Republic are high priorities for the Organization of American States (OAS) and PADF. The Dominican Republic played a significant role in helping Haiti following the 2010 Earthquake and this type of collaboration can be expanded, especially in the area of preparedness which can benefit both countries. It has taken on even greater urgency in light of the widespread destruction of agricultural production caused by recent storms and the priority assigned to these areas by both Haiti and the Dominican Republic; 3. The South-East is a populous department, with 575,293 inhabitants3. The department is a priority area for the GoH for its tourism opportunities; 4. PADF has an existing relationship with the local communities, CCPCs, CADECs, Mayor’s offices and the local DPC representatives. This is essential for increasing predisaster preparation and mitigation activities with broad involvement of community groups and local civil society, which will result in a substantive reduction in damages and loss of life and property; 5. PADF recently completed a post-disaster potable water project, with funding from Taiwan’s International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF) that addressed a critical problem in two specific areas in the South-East Department, but also further highlighted the vulnerability of these communities to future natural disasters.

3

Haitian Institute of Statistics- the Institut Haïtien de Statistique et d'Informatique (IHSI)

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PADF had anticipated activities in six selected communes of the Department: Bainet, La Vallée de Jacmel, Belle Anse, Grand Gosier, Thiotte and Anse-à-Pitres. All are regularly subject to natural disasters that severely affect the local vulnerable communities. However, upon discussion of the project scope with the DPC, the local authorities and the CTD, several communes were set aside (Bainet and La Vallee de Jacmel) to focus on the Belle Anse Arrondissement (district)4 which includes the municipalities of Belle Anse, Anse-à-Pitre, GrandGosier, and Thiotte, with an extension to the town of Marigot, in the Jacmel Arrondissement5 (district) where the risk analysis PADF conducted indicated greater need for support.

Given the environmental problems the South-East Department communes face, the change of geographical impact allowed for concentrated efforts in the areas of greatest need, and ensured better monitoring and evaluation of program impacts.

The South East Department

3.1 CONTEXT AND BACKGROUND OF SELECTED COMMUNES PADF, DPC, and the local authorities selected the following five municipalities for inclusion in the project: Marigot, Anse-à-Pitre, Grand-Gosier, Thiotte and, Belle Anse. The proximity of each to one another, and to the border town of Pedernales facilitated opportunities for training, discussions and joint actions. Moreover, the communities are prone to similar environmental 4

The Arrondissement of Belle Anse has a population of 107,446 inhabitants based on the Institut Haïtien de Statistique et d'Informatique (IHSI) information, dated August 2003. New Census numbers are currently being analyzed.

5

The Arrondissement of Jacmel has 246,262 inhabitants according the IHSI

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and natural threats (hurricanes, floods, landslides, road erosion and other impacts) during the hurricane season (June1 to November 1), and the rainy seasons which hit in late spring (AprilMay) and in the fall (August-October)6. The particularities of each of the municipalities are described below:

3.1.1 Marigot With a population of 69,000 inhabitants, the town of Marigot is an important municipality in the Arrondissement (district) of Jacmel. Marigot has 5 communal sections: Corail Soult, Savanne Dubois, Grande Rivière Felse, Macary, and Fond Jean Noel. The municipality borders three rivers (Marigot River, Citronnier River and the Pavée River), and sits on the Caribbean Sea. The Marigot River separates the communal sections of Grande Rivière Felse and Macary upstream, and downstream the communal sections of Dubois and downtown Marigot. It also has tributaries that further section off the remaining communal sections. Given these numerous rivers and tributaries, the municipality and its environs are particularly threaten by flash floods and other increases in water levels due to rains, or other natural causes, including earthquakes and hurricanes. The river banks are not well protected by vegetation and the steep slopes make it vulnerable to landslides. At the North end of Savanne Dubois is the village of Peredo, which has been occupying for a long time a prominent place in the economy of Marigot. The banana cultivation practiced in the irrigated perimeter of Savanne Dubois, combined with the close proximity of the Peredo market facilitates trade with other Haitian cities. Peredo7 is the commercial center of the commune, but remains vulnerable as it is also bordered by the three rivers mentioned previously.

Hurricane Sandy caused important floods, resulting in a natural breach on the banks of the Pavée river. This now poses an additional flood threat to the community. Moreover, the accumulation of sediments has further raised the level of the riverbed to reach the level of the existing eroded road.

6

Average rainfall in the rainy sports is over fifty inches per year while there are some areas which get almost no rain at all. The South East is one of the more rainy spots in the country.

7

About 250 families are directly threatened in Peredo

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3.1.2 Thiotte In recent decades, the communal section of Thiotte has grown in size as small surrounding towns have merged to form a larger city. Thiotte is located near the Forêt des Pins, a coniferous pine forest, north of the city, and flanked to its south by the Municipality of Grand Gosier; the town of Anse-à-Pitres lies to its east. With a population estimated at 27,000 inhabitants8 it is one of the largest municipalities in the South East Department. The city center of Thiotte, located at the foot of the town of Ti Bwa Pen which is part of Morne Simplice, is threatened by alluvial deposit from the erosion upstream. Even when it rains lightly, several areas flood and the population lacks the tools and knowledge to manage the situation. The small community of Marie Madeleine, located at the western entrance of the city, is in a similar situation. Approximately four hundred (400) families live there and are particularly vulnerable during heavy rains. During the rainy seasons, the flash floods carry sediment from the locality Ti Bwa Pen to the locality of Marie Madeleine. Upstream, erosion in the mountains has progressively turned small water streams into ravines, and large gullies. Floods destroy crops, and wash away remaining arable land and leave sediments from the ravines and gullies throughout local homes.

3.1.3 Grand Gosier The town of Grand Gosier, the smallest communal section in our area of intervention, has a population of 15,513 inhabitants9; it borders Thiotte, and is situated between the towns of Anseà-Pitresand Belle Anse. During hurricane season the town is threatened by flash floods caused by cresting of the Rouge (Red) River and water gushing through the Kenbetior ravine10. The town’s drinking water comes from the Bodary spring, which is threatened by the flash floods.

The National Water and Sanitation Directorate (DINEPA) has rehabilitated the water supply lines from the spring to the holding tanks in the municipality. However, significant work still needs to be done to ensure the availability of drinking water in the municipal area, and includes improvements to the quality of water in the Bodary Kiosk, construction of new dispensing units 8

See Institut haïtien de statistique et d'informatique (IHSI) Haitian Statistics and Informatics website

9

According the Institut haïtien de statistique et d'informatique (IHSI) Haitian Statistics and Informatics, based on the 2009 Census, and including 18 year old and older.

10

About 250 families are also threatened as they live in close proximity to the ravine.

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and holding tanks and improved access to potable water for Nan Chadek, a remote rural village dependent on the communal section. PADF observed a deterioration of the water delivery system: pipes were clogged, the flow of potable water weakened, and the overall system polluted.

3.1.4 Anse à Pitre The coastal town of Anse-à-Pitresis located at the extreme south-eastern tip of Haiti, near the border with the Dominican Republic.

Anse-à-Pitresalso borders Thiotte/Forêt des Pins, and Grand Gosier .

Anse-à-Pitres is under threat from flooding caused by cresting of the Anse-à-Pitres / Pédernales River and rising sea levels during the June to November hurricane season.

After Hurricane Sandy, the riverbanks were crumbling on both sides of the border, broadening the river bed, and creating a massive gap in the southern part of the city.

The town has two municipal districts and a population of 23,500 inhabitants11, of which about 40 percent are concentrated in the city center and very exposed to these critical environmental conditions. Civil protection and migration issues on both sides of the border are of great concern to the local leaders and the leaders of the neighboring communities of Anse-à-Pitres and Pédernales.

3.1.5 Belle Anse The town of Belle Anse is considered a high-risk vulnerable area. Most mountains are bare and water from the ravines overflow during the rainy season, isolating the city center of the most fertile communal sections, which represent a food basket for the inhabitants of the city and the Belle Anse District. With a population of 51,707 inhabitants this is the largest agglomeration in the District. The town is prone to floods and is often hit by hurricanes. Two rivers flow through the city of Belle Anse: the Pêcheur River and the Guimby ravine. During periods where the rivers crest, floods limit land communication between neighboring communities and access is difficult. The Guimby ravine is clogged with sediments and rising sea levels impact the western part of the city during the hurricane season. In addition to environmental degradation, potable water is scarce. During the hurricane season, the pipelines are always the first to be hit hard.

11

See Institut haïtien de statistique et d'informatique (IHSI) Haitian Statistics and Informatics, based on the 2009 Census

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The lines are defective and water leaks exist in the system, exposing the population to water contamination by pathogens.

All of the municipalities mentioned are high risk areas, and have similar threats. The project interventions were designed to respond to the common needs, and provide the key tools and techniques, in addition to highly targeted mitigation and protection sub-projects that respond to specific local needs. The municipalities have all prioritized the need for DRR activities in their communities, including the training of the GoH representatives, local authorities and CCPCs to improve response and reduce the loss of life and property.

IV.

COMPLETED ACTIVITIES

A view of the existing hierachy of responsibility for disaster response and risk reduction activities in Haiti in particular is important to understand the different institutions and response mechanisms currently in place.

Haitian National Risk and Disaster Management System (SNGRD)

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As illustrated above, the DPC overseas overall decisions based on the National Emergency Plan (PNGRD), but implements activities through the local DPC offices and CTD. The offices are in turn supported by the CCPC, and include the local mayors and other authorities in times of crisis.

The GoH has made significant investments in the DPC over the last two years. The GoH has implemented training and mitigation exercises in the region through a number of donor-funded programs, including several activities implemented by PADF in the past. Continuing to build the capacity of the DPC at large, and reinforcing the capacity of the DPC and its regional coordination offices is one of the key interventions that will strengthen local departmental technical cooperation delegations and local community responders.

4.1

PILLAR 1 : CAPACITY BUILDING OF THE LOCAL COMMITTEES OF THE DPC, AND THE

LOCAL COMMUNITY BASED GROUPS

The Civil Protection Directorate, the regional Civil Protection Delegations and CTD12 officials give great importance to training throughout the South-East Department. Providing the tools and techniques, and sharing disaster risk reduction knowledge with the local authorities and their disaster committees improve the chances of the communities to respond quickly when disaster strikes, thereby minimize loss. The first pillar of activities under the Taiwan-funded project includes strengthening the capacity of the CCPC through a series of training modules, targeting the active members of the local civil protection structures.

Primary objectives under this Pillar are to: 

Reinforce the technical capacity of the human resources working in the management of risk and disasters at the communal level.



Provide the technical tools to improve the coordination of actions between local structures, communal, and departmental risk and disaster managers, and local authorities.

PADF designed the trainings to engage young CCPC committee members who are respected members of their communities and who live in the selected intervention areas. If the talent trained is from the area selected, it improves response time, builds upon the inherent knowledge of the area, and engages local youth in actively participating in the improvements of their communities.

All the existing community structures participated in the nomination and selection of the project participants, including the CADECs who have strong ties with the local

12

CDT: Departmental Technical Coordination units

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collectivities/communities. The municipality’s Mayor or the local CASEC did not choose participants randomly; potential participants had to meet the following criteria: 

Live in the locality and be available



Be between the ages of 18 and 30



Be a known, credible, respected, and engaged citizen within the community

Once the participants met the criteria established, the local Mayor or leader of the CASEC approved them, after vetting; the lists of the selected and approved participants were shared with the CTD, and with the regional DPC representative, in order to be validated by the trainer and/or the technical coordinator at the time of delivery of training.

PADF conducted three types of trainings: 

First Aid Training for the civil protection brigadiers, the first responders to the scene;



Damage Evaluation and Needs Assessments (EDAB: Evaluation des Dommages et Analyse des Besoins) training for CCPC members; and



Training on the use of GPS13 or geo-mapping to the CTD leadership team

Combined, the three trainings reinforced the overall capacity of the local, municipal and regional units to respond to disasters, rapidly analyze damages and assess needs and be able to use the tools and maps to indicate where to provide additional aid and technical assistance.

4.1.1 First Aid and Search and Rescue Training The First Aid training module focused on teaching participants basic first aid and new skills and techniques for search and rescue. It is important to note that these different skills set are required when one is at the forefront of an emergency response, as the goal is to save as many lives as possible in the shortest period of time possible, while maintaining personal safety. Trainers emphasized the following points:  The importance of a carefully planned search and rescue action;  The search and rescue methodology that will be used;  The safety measures to put in place.

The CTD provided PADF with its full support during this training as they strongly believe that well-trained rescuers are a community’s strongest asset in case of disaster. They provided the project team with the Basic materials for demonstration purposes, assisted with transportation logistics and leveraged experienced trainers from partner organizations (Haitian Red Cross, 13

GPS: Geo positioning systems

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Firemen from the South-East department, among others) to supplement the training curriculum and enabling PADF to provide the best quality training to the participants. The main topics addressed included: 

Defining search and rescue



Personal security



Emergency evacuation in the case of an accident



How to revive a victim, including Immobilizing body parts (spine, neck)



Dealing with bleeding and concussions



Transporting a victim on a stretcher

cardiopulmonary

resuscitation (CPR),

Through the training, participants gained the skills needed to act as emergency responders, being able to stabilize a fracture, control bleeding or a state of shock, unclog a victim’s respiratory tract and other skills that can make the difference between life and death, until medical help arrives.

Moreover, participants also learned the methodologies and techniques to conduct immediate search and rescue efforts, as part of the first response wave, minimizing the response time and improving impacting the critical timeline for survivors.

PADF provided the training to new CCPC members and local municipalities and current brigadiers in order to reinforce the Marigot, Belle Anse, Thiotte, Grand Gosier and, Anse-àPitres capacity to intervene in the event of a disaster. At the requested of the La Vallée de Jacmel commune, PADF also trained the members of the two new emergency response brigades created in the communal sections of Ternier and Musac14.

Table 1: Breakdown of Participants Commune Anses à Pitres Thiotte Grand Gosier Belle Anse Marigot Lavallee de Jacmel TOTAL

New Brigadiers 10 4 15 5 14 27

Existing Brigadiers 13 17 6 22 16 2

75

76

Participants Total Participants

Women

Men

23 21 21 27 30 29

3 5 3 3 7 7

20 16 18 24 23 22

151

28

123

14

While these communes were not included in the revised plan, the project was open to including additional emergency brigades, as more trained brigades can provided additional support to the other communities in need.

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A total of 75 new brigadiers received the first aid and search and rescue training, including the members of the newly-formed La Vallée de Jacmel brigades. The members of five communes and 16 sub-communal sections received refresher courses. The brigadiers were trained and ready to respond by the onset of the 2013 hurricane season.

4.1.2 Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis Training (EDAB) The South-East CTD was concerned with the poor quality of information shared by the communes and communal sections when a disaster strikes. Determining the extent of damages and figuring out how to respond appropriately depends on the quality of information received from the local communities and the CCPCs. It was of paramount importance to equip the CCPCs and the CTD with the tools and techniques to ensure adequate understanding of the impact of the incidents, and identify the responses needed; this also requires a timely and accurate sharing of information between the various response levels, both local and national. PADF organized five “Damage Assessments and Needs Analysis” workshops, each lasting three-days, for the members of the local civil protection community committees, municipal leaders, and the various regional coordination managers. The workshops were held in Belle Anse, Grand-Gosier, Thiotte, Anse-à-Pitres, and Marigot PADF conducted the training with additional technical support from the DPC’s Technical Unit and with the participation of the Certified Departmental Training Unit trainers15.

This training targeted 100 members from 5 Communal Civil Protection Committees, 15 Local Civil Protection Committees, and two CADECs. Table 2: EDAB Training Participant Breakdown Commune Anses à Pitres Thiotte Grand Gosier Belle Anse Marigot TOTAL

Communal Committees (CCPC) 11 5 2 17 8

Participants Local Committees Total (CLPC) Participants 10 23 8 21 15 21 14 27 15 30

43

62

105

Women

Men

1 4 3 2 3

20 9 14 29 20

13

92

The EDAB training focused on the following key modules (see Annex D for detail content):

15



Conceptual approach to Risk Management and Disaster,



Characteristics of adverse events,

Given that the EDAB is essential in determining the follow up responses and reconstruction efforts

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

Data collection techniques,



Method of data analysis and interpretation,



EDAB team breakdown, and creating a team per commune



How to set up an EDAB team and set priorities for intervention



Presentation and discussion on the grid for rapid assessment of the DPC16

The workshops provided the general tools and techniques for needs assessment and created a space for municipal and regional discussions regarding emergency interventions. Having the National trainers supporting the EDAB training also created an opportunity to standardize actions, where all participants receive the same set of tools. National Trainers were also able to observe interactions and identify individual abilities among participants. Hands-on practice (simulated real-life situations) reinforced the capacity of the participants who were able to demonstrate the following skills: 

Complete properly a damage assessment form



Perform a needs analysis, and



Propose prioritized actions.

Overall the EDAB training strengthened the technical capacity of all the participants and in particular those operating with the communal structures. Five EDAB teams were created for the South East, one per commune. The Training further established links between municipal and local level structures of civil protection and promoted the integration of other community youth with other skills set into several CCPCs, it was the case The MAGELLAN CX0310SGGXNA for the Belle-Anse and Marigot teams where local Explorist 310 GPS university students joined the EDAB team.    

Waterproof Hiking GPS 2.2 inch LCD display Battery Life : 18 hours Sunlight-readable color screen and high-sensitivity SiRFstarIII MSupport for 6 months Easy operation with simple main menu, intuitive contextual menus, and vibrant graphics One-year warranty

4.1.3 Training on GPS use and General Mapping The Global Positioning System (GPS) is the main and most reliable satellite positioning system used   worldwide. To support the EDAB methodologies and further reinforce the capacity to respond to local disasters, PADF trained the CCPCs and other regional  responders in the use of small handheld GPS, and the collection of data points to be used in larger disaster response mapping. Using GPS and the 16

This discussion of the grid meets with the larger GOH Emergency Response Plan, and the overall priorities of the Haitian Government to have a national response capacity. See box on Plan National De Gestion de Risques et Désastres -National Emergency Plan

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Geographic Information System (GIS) is very useful because it can help locate quickly and efficiently affected populations or identify areas prone to natural disasters. This tool can also be used to find the best delivery routes for food aid from one area to another; it can also help geo reference temporary shelters, make rapid needs assessments, and develop risk maps.

Under the project, PADF made available to the CTD 12 GPS and related accessories, to be used by the CTD personnel and its partners. Training sessions on the use of these devices was organized to ensure proper utilization of the devices during the assessment phase of the response, as well as for mitigation activities, and mapping pre-disasters. The devices fill the technology gap in the responses of the South East Civil Protection Department. With the GPS and the GSI training, the regional DPC and the local CCPCs will be able to better assess damages, make a plan based on reliable GPS coordinates, as well as coordinate with other local organizations for joint operations, and planned interventions.

Specific training on the use of the GPS was given to 15 people in a three day program, focusing on theory, practical applications, and specific applications for disaster mapping (see Annex D).

Under the theory module, participants mastered basic use of the GPS device, and gained an understanding of its uses and limitations. Participants also discussed the application principles for the Haitian GPS modules (geo-mapping system utilized, position on the global latitude and longitude, and other particularities) to better conduct assessments and mitigation plans.

The practical module took the theories learned previously, and applied them to actual practice.

All participants were trained in the actual use of the GPS system focusing on: o How to configure a GPS units o How to mark a point of interest (Waypoint) and research for a point of interest already registered. o How to delete a point, how to download a GPS points and o How to transfer downloaded Map Info points (using mapping software including Map info)

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Finally the project included mapping training in the practical module in the use of the GIS. With the expressed interest in the use of cartography software, including Map info, the project included a training session on mapping for the Emergency Operations Center Executives, enabling them to be more responsive, efficient, and coordinated in their response time. Using GIS in the development of preparedness plans and mitigation against natural disasters, gives the community an additional tool to survive disasters. Given the difficulty to create a disaster map based on the GIS data, PADF also facilitated an additional training for 19 senior managers in the CTD for a more in depth training on the use of the software Map info and Map Source to maximize the local capacity and also fill the existing vacuum. Training in this case focused on how manipulate the data, create the maps, import and export information for intra-agency sharing, and creating maps. Actual waypoints were used to support the development of local preparedness maps.

At the end of the training and practical exercises the participants were able to:   

Develop thematic assessment maps using the data points collected; Assimilate the theoretical and practical concepts on Map info; and Have trained Executives with the GIS tools to be more effective in preparation and mitigation activities.

4.1.4 Distribution of Disaster Response Materials In preparation of the 2013 Hurricane season, PADF equipped the CCPC and the local DPC offices with megaphones that allow them to disseminate information and provide warning messages to people in public places.

PADF acquired and distributed 30 megaphones of 50 watts with batteries to increase the stock of materials made available by the CASECS and Mayors for the 2013 season and for the future.

The megaphones cover a 300 meter area and the batteries purchased have a lifespan greater than one year. PADF distributed the megaphones in a small ceremony at the end of the training sessions in the selected communities. These small ceremonies, held with the participation of the technical departmental coordination unit and the Mayor of the municipality, also provided an opportunity to recognize the work of the communities and their CCPC leaders, highlighting the

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importance that the DPC is giving the CCPC and community leaders in developing preparedness actions and mitigation plans attended by the mayors and the CDT managers.

Table 3: List of Megaphone Distribution Commune

Marigot Belle Anse Grand Gosier Thiotte Anse-Ă -Pitres Lavallee de Jacmel Total

Number of Communal Sections receiving material 5 7 1 2 2 3 20 communal sections

Total Number of megaphones

Number of batteries distributed

6 8 2 3 6 5 30 megaphones

36 56 12 18 36 30 188 Batteries

An additional stock of material was acquired and delivered to Anse-Ă -Pitres to reinforce the existing prepositioned material for the local emergency operations center. Given previous flooding and mudslides on the border area, this material will be used exclusively for emergencies.

Table 4: Additional Prepositioned Material Articles Foam mattress, covered in fabric Blankets Plastic storage cases Cooking pots

Quantity 10 19 4 20

4.2 PILLAR 2: DISASTER MITIGATION In preparation for the 2013 hurricane season, town halls identified small mitigation projects that will have positive impact on the protection of lives and property in some localities. These mitigation projects serve as incentives for communities to better focus and better integrate disaster risk reduction management techniques and methodologies into their immediate environment for the collective well-being of the community. These small projects are part of a strategy for sustainable community development.

To ensure the monitoring of outputs of these small mitigation projects, municipalities, local authorities, the Support Council for Community Development (CADC), and beneficiary

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communities were heavily involved in planning, the identification of needs, and the implementation of the mitigation projects17.

Together with the communities, the territorial collectivities and the municipalities in the different communes of the South East Department, the project identified particular mitigation projects. Of the mitigation proposed by the communities, the project selected the one responding to the most urgent identified need and which will have rapid impact on the daily life of the communities.

The mitigation projects were selected from a pool of possible activities, working with the local communities and following a needs assessment. PADF sent a request for execution proposals to a short list of 5 reputable enterprises from the South East. Following the tender and the analysis of all execution proposals received, PADF selected MT Construction to execute within the cost and time range of the selected mitigation actions. Under the terms of a contract with MT Construction, an eight-week time frame was established for the execution of these projects.

At the beginning stages of the projects, an advance of 30 percent of the costs granted to the company and covered by a deposit of guarantee provided by the PROFASA (insurance company) to MT Construction. See Table 5 for a list of the interventions, cost, duration, details, and locations of the mitigation projects contracted to MT Construction.

Table 5: Mitigation Projects Executed by MT Construction Commune

Type of Intervention

Marigot

Riverbank protection and improvements of breaches to the PavĂŠe river, both upstream and downstream of the river crossing

Thiotte

Diversion of runoff water project, (drainage) from the road to Thiotte in the Ti Bwa Pen neighborhood,

2,300

Sanitation project and strengthening of the Bodarie/Grand Grosier potable water

9,000

Grand Gosier

17 18

Pop. Target 2,500

Remarks Breach on the banks of the PavĂŠe River, potential threat of flooding for of the population of Peredo/Marigot during hurricane and rainy season

Runoff and sediment repairs in the Ti Bwa Pen and repairs and clearing of the of the Ti Bwa Pen Thiotte draining canal up to the locality of Marie Madeleine; area prone to flash floods in Hurricane period.

Cost HTG/USD18 HTG 955,000.00 / (USD 22,238)

HTG

Duration (in weeks) 6

8

1, 191,400.00 / (USD 28,367)

Defective suction, water HTG 1,195,390.00/ contamination and pollution, (USD 28,462) duct obstructed in several places

8

See Pictures of the Mitigation Projects in the Picture Annex Calculated at rate of 42 HTG to 1 USD

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systems

at the network level

Rehabilitation of the water collection system in Bodary/ Grand Gosier;

Unhealthy and unsanitary space at the kiosk level Nan Chadèk area is isolated, between the Red River and the Mapou ravine in hurricane season; the inhabitants do not have means of access to potable water; no strategic reserve of drinking water currently in existence.

Sanitation improvements to the Bodary potable water kiosk Construction of a water tank from 50 m3 in the locality Nan Chadèk Grand Gosier

Protection Bank of the Kenbethior ravine

2,100

Threat of flooding of the town Mare Geoffrey in cyclone period.

Launch of Construction activities The South East Civil Protection Delegation, the Departmental Technical Coordination, the project management team, and the local municipal authorities, launched the mitigation projects through a series of field workshops, attended by the CASEC, the Mayor, the DTC coordinator, CCPC representatives, and members of the concerned municipalities. The workshops served as outreach to the community, in line with our cross pillar communications plan, to present more formally the mitigation projects, and to underline that the actions were in line with the GoH policy for disaster risk reduction and mitigation19.

The workshop also addressed environmental concerns for the locality, the income generation opportunities for the region, and identified the key beneficiaries of the project itself. A timeline for activities was also shared with the local participants.

19

As mentioned previously, the projects aligned with the greater PNGRD plan of the GOH.

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4.2.1 Project: work of vegetation on the Bank of the Pavée River for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Peredo This year, the municipality placed emphasis on preparations and mitigation activities to prepare for the next hurricane season. Interventions on the Citronnier, Marigot, and Pavée rivers are indispensable for the prevention of additional disasters20.

The Peredo community is a small municipal neighborhood located just after crossing the river of Marigot. It is bounded by three rivers, to the north by the river Citronnier, to the south and west by the river of Marigot, and on the east by the river Pavée. During the passage of Hurricane Sandy in August 2012 this settlement was flooded by the waters of the Pavée River from a breach created on the riverbank near the market and Peredo: the cresting has created a gap of at least 35 meters wide and 2 meters deep on a length of more than 50 meters. This has also made the road fragile, as the road in this area is almost equal in height to the riverbed of the Pavée River. To mitigate the impact of the floods caused by the cresting of this river on the community of Peredo, and to protect the two hundred and fifty families that live in the surrounding area, the Mayor of Marigot proposed correcting this breach by installing gabion baskets to reinforce the riverbanks, and by the accumulation of additional sediments and the incorporation of bamboo seedlings to further protect against overflows.

The project team met with the local municipal authorities, including the CADEC representatives and the mayors in May 2013 to discuss possible solutions for this problem.

Through an extensive community discussion with the various stakeholders, the repair of the Pavée river bank was retained (See picture above of the site in its original state). In addition, the

20

Please see section 3.1.1 for a geographical description of the area.

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Ministry of Public Works (MTPC)’s regional office was also included in the process, to ensure GOH approval of all construction activities.

Under the contract, MT Construction completed the following installations for this locality: 

The installation of 210 m3 of gabions on 46 ml at the rate of 4.5 m3/ml and spread over 3 layers superimposed on a height of 2.5 m,



The application of 100 m3 of fill compact,



The planting of 100 seedlings of bamboo on the banks to strengthen the actions of protection of gabions.

To consolidate the work, the MT Construction company and the Mayor of Marigot facilitated an additional intake of 200 m3 of fillers (remblais), with their own funds and with support from the MTPTC. PADF was able to add 180 m3 of additional gabions to permanently stabilize stream banks and also create an artificial beach for a possible extension of the Peredo market.

MT Construction completed the work (see finished wall on right) and the official project delivery was made to the Mayor of Marigot in the presence of the Southeast DPC Delegation, the CTD, and the Savannah Dubois CASEC. The Mayor has promised to ensure continued protection of the bamboo seedlings with stones and poles. The final acceptance of the work was finalized October 30, 2013 between MT Construction, Marigot City Hall, and the PADF project supervision team.

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4.2.2 Project: drainage works on the road to Thiotte for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Marie Madeleine Marie Madeleine is a small community located at the West entrance of the city centre of the town of Thiotte21. The community is prone to floods and the accumulation of sediments, which are collected by the run off of rainwater off the Morne Ti Bwa Pen close by. Four hundred families live there in vulnerable conditions. During the rainy seasons, the Morne is further eroded, resulting in the formation of gullies which wash away undergrowth crops and litter sediments on the roads, and destroy homes.

The Mayor of Thiotte prioritized preparations and mitigation activities to prepare for the next hurricane 2013 season. During a meeting between the City Council, representatives of municipal civil protection, the Thiotte CADEC and the project committees, the choice of mitigation interventions is focused on drainage work on the road to Thiotte to deflect runoff for the protection of the lives and property of the community of Marie Madeleine. More specifically, the mitigation project aimed to: 1. Route drainage water to the Cases-Royer ravine near Morne Ti Bwa Pen. 2. Stop sediment transport from the outflow of the waters from Morne Ti Bwa Pen, which

empties into the drainage channel.

3. Dredge and clear the drain at the crossing of the road to Thiotte near the Elder curve in

the river.

(See Drainage site below: before (left) and during repairs (right))

Under the direct supervision of PADF, the MT Construction technicians implemented the project and conducted the work in compliance with the Ministry of Public Works and Communications (MTPTC) standards for general infrastructure interventions. The project team focused on: 21

See section 3.1.2 for additional geographical details

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a) Protection of the locality Mary Madeleine: 

Improvements to the Savannah Zombie-Thiotte road crossing



Masonry work



Excavation of excess dirt and installation of gabions downstream of the drain



Installation of hearth dry stone wall

b) Protection of the Morne Nan Bwa Pen watershed 

Installation of gabions on 10 linear meters

c) Cleaning and clearing of the drain of the road crossing at the Elder curve The project was completed to the satisfaction of PADF, the Thiotte municipal authorities, and the local CADEC.

Completed Road Drain in Thiotte

4.2.3 Project: remediation of the water system in Grand Gosier gabions from the shore of the Kenbethior ravine for the protection of the lives and property of the town of Marre Geoffrey.

As mentioned in section 3.1.3, the municipality of Grand Gosier receives drinking water from a single capture source of the Bodary spring. The system has been rehabilitated by DINEPA. However, problems remain in the system, impeding access to potable water in this municipality: 

The Bodary water access point ( the water kiosk) is often polluted and exposed to the excreta of animals, and the upstream contamination of the spring via road runoffs, which impacts the health of the local inhabitants.

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

Distribution valves are exposed and are not secure; they deteriorate rapidly as a result of bad handling and the elements.



Nan Chadek area, crossed by the Rouge (Red) River is poorly supplied by the local kiosk and inefficient water capture system tank of "Amba Sabliye"; in times of floods, crossing the river proves difficult to supply potable water to the community and the area has no strategic water reserve plan to serve the community, creating additional vulnerability for the population.

Moreover, the Kenbetior ravine in the rainy period is a real threat to inhabitants of the locality of Marre Geoffrey. The ravine is very steep and rains created a significant gap that threatens to flood the community.

The project team met with mayor’s office in Grand Gosier, theDINEPA, the local CASEC, and CADEC to discuss interventions. The Team made an exploratory visit to identify possible interventions. Jointly, the delegation identified the following interventions under the project: 



Rehabilitation of the drinking water supply system o

Improved sanitation of the Bodary water kiosk

o

Construction of 5 boxes to secure the water pipe valves

o

Construction of a 50 m3 reservoir in the locality "Nan Chadèk"

Riverbank Protection o

Protection of the banks of the ravine «Kenbetior» (see picture below)

o

Installation of gabions on 50 linear meters along the ravine banks

o

Compacted sediments used to further reinforce the ravine

o

Plantation of bamboo trees to protect the riverbanks

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As mentioned before all the work completed was made in accordance to the compliance with the standards established by the MTPTC and in consultation with DINEPA potable water access guidelines and the de Grand Gosier CAEPA22. The Nan Chadek area has also benefited from the construction of 50 m3 water reservoir (12000 gallons) (see reservoir construction below) that will serve as the strategic reserve during the hurricane and rainy seasons.

4.3 PILLAR 3: STRENGTHENING BILATERAL RELATIONS PADF’s experience on the Haitian Dominican border through the Our Border project (Fwontyè nou/Nuestra Frontera) and through our Local Governance project has proven that border issues can be addressed through cooperation and open exchange. By targeting our intervention for the most part in the District of Belle Anse, PADF took into account civil protection issues between the two countries, and specifically those affecting the communities on the border. The risk reduction challenges and the environmental and climate threats in this part of the island are the same and it is possible to significantly improve DRR efforts through the exchange of information and improved cross border cooperation between the two countries.

To achieve bilateral cooperation for the Haitian-Dominican border, the Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation project wanted to engage both the Haitian Civil Protection Directorate (DPC) and the Defensa Civil (DC) in the Dominican Republic in a series of dialogues and activities to promote trans-border disaster management cooperation and disaster response engagements.

Ideally, collaboration on disaster preparedness and strengthening risk reduction disaster management capacity of both institutions would lead to the development of joint strategies that 22

CAEPA are the local Committees on Water and Sanitation- they are trained by DINEPA and act as the local potable water management group.

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would benefit the border region. Commitment and engagement of communities and stakeholders on both sides of the border are therefore essential.

The anticipated deliverables from this effort were: 

A Memorandum of Cooperation between the DPC and the DC,



Joint solutions for Border Civil Protection issues.

4.3.1 Activities completed In order to engage each of the Civil Protection entities in the program several attempts were made to discuss possible dates and commitments from each group for this important bi-national event. PADF first reached out to the DPC to discuss the project activities. Given that the project was already working with the DPC, engaging their interest in a bi-national discussion was relatively easy to gain. Following, the project’s bi-national expert and a member of PADF HQ staff made a visit to Santo Domingo to meet with the Defensa Civil. Prior to this visit, the Team requested a formal meeting with DC, through PADF’s contacts at the Dominican Centre for Emergency Operations (COE), to discuss PADF’s proposed timeline and agenda. However, the first effort was inconclusive as the person responsible for the border region activities was unavailable.

The PADF delegates also connected with the Embassy of China (ROC-Taiwan) in Santo Domingo, in preparation for the proposed bilateral exchanges. The Embassy was very enthusiastic about the bilateral efforts and ready to support through participation of its representatives in the DR and in Haiti.

PADF made a second visit to the DPC to formally present the proposed agenda. A more formal presentation of the project and its bilateral component was made to the Director of the DPC. The meeting included the participation of the South East Departmental Delegate, the Departmental Technical Coordinator (CTD), and additional DPC cadres. The DPC reiterated their desire to collaborate on a the bilateral discussions, as the Anse-à-Pitres/Pedernales area (and other municipalities close by) have been victims to overwhelming floods and loss of life. At the end the meeting, a three-member commission was assigned by the Director to support this activity.

The three member team included: 

A consultant of the CPD head of the commission,



The delegate for South East Department, and



The Departmental Technical Coordination (CTD)’s South East’ Coordinator, departmental of civil protection of the Southeast.

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On the Haiti side, there was clear engagement and commitment of the DPC in moving the proposed agenda forward. However, it was more difficult to engage the Dominican Republic’s Defensa Civil; repeated requests for formal meetings and follow ups were met with silence, and additional contacts, through emails and telephone calls, or through the direct engagements with the Head of the COE remained without response. PADF appealed to the Dominican Ambassador to Haiti, Ambassador Ruben Sillé, a great supporter of the bilateral interexchange; efforts from the Embassy were engaged with promises of support. The Dominican Ambassador graciously hand delivered a letter to the head of the Dominican COE in Santo Domingo. However, COE and DF remained silent. In order to ensure that a bi-national event took place, PADF changed strategy at the beginning of the month of September 201323.

Through previous consultations by the HQ team, and leveraging of PADF HQ contacts and relationships with local groups in the greater Enriquillo area, PADF reached out to the Haitian Consulate in Barahona, the Dominican Consulate in Anse-à-Pitres and ASOMURE24, a local association of municipalities in the Barahona/Barahuco area. PADF also contacted the mayor of the two border cities Anse-à-Pitres, and Pedernales, engaging a developing relationship between the border municipalities through the facilitation of ASOMURE. The approach facilitated two additional constructive and dynamic meetings that paved the way for the implementation of the proposed bi-national discussions. Further meetings followed, and through the coordination of ASOMURE, who is responsible for the overseeing of regional disaster activities for the Enriquillo region, members of the local Defensa Civil (Barahona/Barahuco area) were included in the preparations. Ultimately, the organization of the bilateral meetings included: 

The engagement the Haitian Consul in Barahona to facilitate meetings with Dominica personalities;



The preparation of a memorandum of understanding between PADF and the Association Mayors of the Lac Azuei area (AMALA), FEDOMU25, and ASOMURE for the meeting in Port - au Prince between the Dominican and Haitian Civil Protection and Disaster Risk Reduction delegation, and the mayors of Anse-à-Pitres and Pedernales and other municipal representatives of the Belle Anse District;



Discuss with officials of the Dominican civil Defensa de Barahona and Pedernales the details of the trip to Port - au-Prince; Finalize the participant lists and travel details; and

 23

It must be noted, however, that during the preparation of these efforts, the issue of migration, and citizenship of Dominicans of Haitian descent was creating additional sources of trans-border conflict, further exacerbated by a trade dispute on the Malpasse/Jimani border area. Relations between were at best conflicting and this may have challenged PADF’s capacity to engage Defensa Civil and COE. 24

ASOMURE: Asociación de Municipios de la Región Enriquillo, a member of FEDOMU

25

FEDOMU: Federación Dominicana de Municipios

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

Finalize the details with the local authorities of Pedernales and Anse in Pitres of the prepositioned materials to be used by the municipal civil protection committee

Discussions with the Border representatives went smoothly and the planned bilateral discussion was well received. The date for the bilateral meetings was set October 2 and 3, 2013 in Port-auPrince.

4.3.2 Bilateral Meetings on Disaster Risk Reduction and Mitigation on the Haiti-DR Border (October 2-3, 2013).

With ASOMURE assuming the role of head of mission, the Dominican Disaster Risk Reduction Delegation arrived in Port-au-Prince for a two-day meeting with DPC, and other stakeholders, including representatives the Embassy of The Republic of China (ROC-Taiwan). The bilateral meetings produced anticipated interventions focused on emergency preparedness and management of the environment26.

Activities started with an evening working reception, featuring welcome remarks and interventions from His Excellency Bang-Zyh Liu, Ambassador of Taiwan to Haiti (see picture on right); Mr Francisco Jiménez the Dominican Consul in Anse-à-Pitres; Mrs. Oneida Feliz, Head of mission, and Executive Director of ASOMURE; Mrs. Guilène Daphinis, the Mayor of Anse-à-Pitres; Mme Alta Jean-Baptiste Director of DCP; and Ms. Nadia Cherrouk, Country Director for PADF Haiti27.

During the working dinner, the two delegations established a common understanding of the points to be discussed in the workshop of the next day. 

Identification of risks at the level of the border Anse-à-Pitres/Pedernales,



The identified risk management strategy,

26

See program agenda in Annex E

27

A full list of participants can be found in Annex E

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

Communication strategies.

The second day of meetings focused on three working sessions dealing with the identification of the risks at the level of the border communities, the establishment of joint training programs, and the protection of the environment on the border region. The program culminated with the signature of an Agreement in Principle28 for the collaboration between the authorities and border municipalities.

The first working session focused on common risks between the two border communities: 1. The degradation of local watersheds 2. The silting up of rivers 3.

The channels of communication; difficulties in cross-border rescue and response

4. Absence of framework law on

the protection of the population in high-risk areas.

However, to facilitate a closer dialogue, the second session was held with integration of the additional stakeholders. Haitians and Dominicans mingled and engaged interest for continued dialogue and social mobilization opportunities across the border (see picture on right). Three groups were established to discuss the risks identified, the problem of the river of Pedernales/Anse-Ă -Pitres, and the establishement of clear lines of communication29.

The meeting yielded two important resolutions:

28 29

1.

With regards to the Pedernales River which separates Pedernales and Anse-Ă -Pitres and its associated watersheds, a joint project to dredge the River should be developed, with an integrated protection of its the watersheds;

2.

The signing of an Agreement in Principle (see previous) between the representatives of the various institutions participating in the workshop, to reinforce existing or establish new border committees on both sides of the border to boost trade and collaboration.

See Annex F for a copy of the signed Agreement between the two countries.

See Annex E for program agenda and speaker lists.

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Submitted to the assembly present, the draft of the proposed Agreement in Principle was accepted unanimously and signed by the delegation members. The conclusion of the two-day working meetings also yielded the desire and commitment for additional bilateral meetings to be held at a later date. While these next set of meetings are beyond the scope of Taiwan funded project, the fact that the delegations both felt it important to continue with these bilateral meetings, is an important mark of engagement for sustainable interactions.

The Haitian and Dominican Delegates with PADF staff October 2, 2013

V.

COMMUNICATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE SHARING

A recurrent theme of the program is to improve communication and knowledge sharing for DRR success. Throughout the training modules directed to the various actors in the DRR chain, PADF has emphasized the need for open and direct communication and dialogue, especially with the DPC representatives, the CTDs, the CCPCs, and the CADECs and other local leaders.

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Moreover, as clearly illustrated in the EDAB training, it is imperative for the various actors in the chain to communicate on a timely basis, but that they are also able to provide the right information at the right moment. Clearly established role and responsibilities, as well as a properly trained emergency response and risk reduction team go a long way to reduce the loss of life and property in a disaster. By engaging the community pre-disaster, they become better prepared for any event that may disrupt the normal course of life.

PADF developed standard operating procedures (SOPs) for communication and knowledge sharing, made available to the CCPCs, CTDs and Mayor’s offices to ensure clear lines of communication. Moreover, the DPC standard operating procedures for engagement and disaster preparedness have also be shared with the local CCPCs and the various local authorities; standardizing information sharing and processes as discussed in sections 4.1.2 and 4.1.3, further create a smooth operating framework for DRR in the South East.

PADF provided additional megaphones to facilitate the dissemination of local emergency plans, trainings, and other related DRR deliverables to local CCPC and CTD or CADEC offices. While very low-tech, the loudspeakers will be used to reach as many people as possible during an emergency.

Working with the CCPCs and other DRR actors and in collaboration with the DPC, the development of community disaster plans and risk mapping has also taken place, using the GPS and GIS tools provided by the project. It is the role of the Community Leaders, CCPCs and municipal authorities to further disseminate the information to their communities, and continue the DRR training and capacity building opportunities.

VI.

MAJOR ACCOMPLISHMENTS

6.1 Overall Accomplishments The Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the South-East of Haiti and the Dominican Border yielded several important accomplishments: A. Civil society is more involved in civil protection activities. a. Throughout the project, PADF was able to engage the local population and civil society organizations in the training and preparedness activities for civil protection. b. More than 50% of the First Aid and Search and Rescue training recipients are young men and women, newly involved in civil protection. A large number of the participants integrated CCPCs and other local civil society protection entities.

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B. CADEC have increased their collaboration with the DPC in civil protection activities in their districts. a. Throughout the project, the CADEC in the areas of intervention have actively participated in the 2013 hurricane season preparations, from the contributing to the choice of the new brigadiers, to the revitalization of the working relationship with the CCPCs, and the integration of CADEC members in trainings and in the evaluation committees. b. Formally participated in the selection projects in their districts, which signals renewed engagement of the CADEC in the safety and security of their constituencies.

C. The technical capacities of the DPC, the Departmental Technical Cooperation units, the CCPCs and CADEC have dramatically improved a. Through the increased number of brigadiers invested in the civil protection at the communes and communal sections b. Through qualitative strengthening of the capacities to intervene of the CADEC, CCPC and other risk reduction and response stakeholders in the various communities, and the prise en charge of the mitigation projects completed with the support of the DINEAP, CAEPA and CCPC. c.

Through the positioning of First Aid and Responder brigades, and the creation of the EDAB teams creating additional inter-connectivity between the various DRR structures. The exchange sessions and the development of networks within the various entities in the Belle Anse District and the South East Department further reinforce this inter-connectivity.

The following table summarizes key indicators under the project: Impact Indicators

Target

Accomplishments

1-Building capacity of CCPL and CLPC

Collaboration CCPL, CLPC, KADEC in 6 communes

24 working meetings on the development of the trainings ; development of mitigation projects in selected communess

12 training sessions on : First Aid, Table Top exercise for DRR, Building resilience, Preparedness, etc.

11 training sessions completed in the 6 communes on first aid, and damage evaluations and needs assessments (EDAB)

12 GPS to be delivered

12 small GPS delivered to CTD Sud-est/ DPC

Training of volunteer operators

13 voluntary operators trained in the use of GPS and Mapping software

2- South East CTD office of the DPC equipped with GPS and trained technicians

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3- Completion of mitigation projects

3 mitigation projects

4 mitigation projects completed in 3 localities: a) Gabion wall on the banks of the PavĂŠe River in Marigot, b) Drainage on the Thiotte road c) Strengthening of system and improvements in potable water and sanitaiton in Grand Gosier d) Gabions on the banks of the Kembethior ravine, in Grand Gosier

4-Aquisition of materials for the Communal Sections

30 megaphones

30 megaphones delivered to 6 mayors, in 6 communes and 20 CASEC , one per communal section in which we intervened

6.2. Job Creation and Beneficiaries of Mitigation interventions Mitigation activities in the rural areas are still source of temporary employment. The number of direct beneficiaries taking into account physical persons who worked effectively on these projects is 146, which that correspond to 1,406 people/days of employment. The Beneficiary number would be higher if we had taken into account the indirect jobs created by groups of workers which supported the projects as carriers of materials, and itinerant merchants supplying laborers in food.

Table 6: Number of Jobs Created Commune

Direct Beneficiaries

Indirect Beneficiaries

Man/days

Grand Gosier

50

150

498

Thiotte

35

105

415

Marigot

61

183

493

Total

146

438

1406

Project beneficiaries were identified from the trainings, and the mitigation sub-projects completed. A total of 257, 950 individuals benefitted from the training, bilateral discussions, and mitigation projects completed under this project.

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Table 7 : Training Beneficiaries (direct) Commune

First Aid Training

EDAB

GPS

Anse-à-Pitres

23

21

44

Belle Anse

27

31

58

Grand Gosier

21

15

36

Thiotte

24

15

39

Marigot

30

22

52

La Vallee de Jacmel

30

-

30

CTD /Jacmel Total

155

104

Total number of beneficiaries

15

15

15

274

Table 8: Bénéficiaires des actions de mitigation Commune

Direct Beneficiaries

Indirect Beneficiaries

Total number of beneficiaries

Grand Gosier

22500

4500

27000

Thiotte

2730

145000

147730

Marigot

13800

69000

102000

Total

39030

218500

257530

VII. FINAL FINANCIAL REPORT As per the signed agreement between the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan), and PADF, The Taiwan Fund for Disaster Management earmarked USD $300,000 for a specific project in Haiti.

Expenditures for the project covered the cost of staff, in-country and international travel including per diem, the development and delivery costs of the training modules, the procurement of field equipment procurement and DRR materials for shelters and the CCPCs, and mitigation project costs. It also covered all project operation costs.

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PERCENTAGE PER PILLAR OF TOTAL COST

Mitigation Projects

27%

Bilateral Activities

10%

Training and Capacity Building

13%

Please note that USD $79,067 30of the total program costs (over 25 percent) were used specifically for mitigation activities in infrastructure. $34,576 (approximately 15 percent of the costs) were used for training and other capacity building and GOH strengthening activities, including the procurement of specific materials (megaphones, beds, kits) for emergency response at the community level.

Table 9: Updated Program Expenditure Description

Total Budgeted Expenses

Accumulated Project Expenses Budget Balance

I

Staff Costs

75,122

81,939

(6,817)

II

Equipment

8,160

4,558

3,602

III

Travel

30,468

20,012

10,456

IV

Field Activities

105,027

95,645

9,382

V

Training

24,400

31,576

(7,176)

VI

Other Direct Costs

15,200

24,647

(9,447)

VII

TOTAL DIRECT COSTS

258,377

258,377

(0)

41,623

41,623

0

300,000

300,000

0

VIII TOTAL INDIRECT COSTS

IX

TOTAL PROJECT COSTS

The project was completed and all costs covered within the proposed budget.

30

See Table 5: List of the Selected Mitigation projects.

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VIII. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATIONS LESSONS LEARNED There are several key lessons to be retained from this project: 1. Civic engagement of youth Young people engaged in the process now understand that emergency preparedness is everyone's business and the roles that they are called upon to play in the sustainability of the actions of civil protection are essential. Already the program participants are thinking about how to replicate the training they received, in particular the research and rescue to fellow youth in churches, scout groups, and grassroots community organizations to share the knowledge and expand the capacity to mitigate and prepare for natural disasters to the most vulnerable communities.

2. Emergency preparedness is a source of social change.

For too long Haiti’s youth have lost a sense of the common good; Haiti’s social fabric is torn by inequality at many levels. However, through the emergency preparedness workshops, youth participants and other stakeholders are realizing that being available and providing service to the community, being of assistance between members of the same community can be an agent of change in community interactions. Service and mutual assistance channeled through a common objective impact the community and reduces vulnerability.

3. Small projects are considered as pilot actions for a broader comprehensive mitigation program.

By implementing these small mitigation projects, the project transformed local DRR agents, the community committees and Civil Protection brigadiers into key players that have a say in preparing their communities, and engaging a pro-active participation of community members in reducing risk and loss of life and properties in their communities. In order to reduce the vulnerability of their respective areas from the threats of natural disasters, members of the different communal and local committees were involved in the selection, design, development, and execution of small projects with fast and lasting impacts, solving problems affecting a number of communities.. Through active community participation these mitigation actions lead to a strengthening of links between the various community groups. For example, the reinforcement of the gaps in gullies and rivers, and the strengthening of water systems were considered by the mayors, the CASECS and CADEC as opportunities for mitigation of possible Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation in the South-East of Haiti

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disasters, based on the community needs that should always be pursued in the framework of a sustainable development strategy. To achieve this goal, the community will need sustained technical assistance, project studies, assessment of risks, material aid and support to enhance its capacity to act, support that only the central Government can provide and strengthening by the actions of the partner.

4. Training of local Mayors and CASEC The Mayors and the CASEC are senior coordinators of municipal and local civil protection committees, and must manage crisis situations that require some preparation and some aptitude.

It is essential to train them and integrate them into the local committees. In addition, we ought to consider including at least one permanent member chosen from among the Mayors and CASEC, perhaps even the administrator or the Town Hall director to ensure a smooth transition at the end of mandate of the local elected representatives. Mandatory workshops should be considered to provide the technical tools necessary for good management of the risks and disasters in their respective communities. It is imperative that they participate in the training sessions in support to the trainers, to demonstrate their technical expertise to the members of the communal and local committees which they coordinate. Their participation in the training sessions will give them legitimacy and also strengthen the links that proximity and constant interaction create and which should normally exist between communal and peripheral local committees.

CONCLUSIONS The Disaster Preparedness and Mitigation Project in the South East Department of Haiti and the Border Region of the Dominican Republic set the stage for an enriching experience for the participating communities. Through the shared guidelines and the CTD/DPC support, the project could offer to communities, practical search and rescue and first aid training modules that allowed the Rangers/brigadiers to be over better service to their community. For the first time, special training on the assessment of EDAB was carried out specifically for these communities.

The open enthusiasm and interest of the young participants in these courses is encouraging. The training modules must be further developed and additional training continued by DPC and the Departmental Technical Coordination units and through other partners not only to maintain the local committees, but also to extend the training to other municipalities which have not benefit from this opportunity as of yet. Carrying out its activities with the support of the Departmental Technical Coordination provides additional sustainability, given the focus on tracking results required of the CTD by the local Mayors. Furthermore, the small mitigation projects were well received by the communities because the impact is highly visible and is aimed at very specific problems with direct solutions for the communities:

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

Flood protection for the people of Peredo;



Protection from floods and riverbank reinforcement for the people of the municipalities of Marie Madeleine and Thiotte; and



Strengthened water system for Grand Gosier to prepare a strategic reserve of the Nan Chadèk community in cases of flooding.

Engaging and including the community in the development and implementation of these projects is one of the key elements of sustainability because it provides automatic support for activities.

The inhabitants of Marie Madeleine for example noted after the rains of the last week of September that the project had positive impact on their community (no floodwaters forcing them to flee) and they no longer feared rainfalls. About the roadwork and riverbank support on the road to Thiotte towards the Caroyer ravine two brothers were so pleased with the effects, that they took the decision to take in hand the cleaning of the drains as part of their community actions.

Finally, the positive reception from the border communities, and both the DPC, ASOMURE, FEDOMU, and other stakeholders on improving the capacity to respond to disasters in a common, bilateral manner needs to be further supported. This first meeting underlined the common threats, and highlighted the need for a stronger bilateral response across the border.

Sharing best practices and connecting the relevant border stakeholders better prepares the border to respond to these natural events with limited loss of life and property. Preparing the communities and the response teams on both sides of the border should improve the chances of all the communities concerned. The support and participation of stakeholders such as the Embassy of Taiwan, and ASOMURE, as well the engagement of the DPC and the Defensa Civil delegates at the border further enriched the discussions.

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LIST OF ANNEXES

A.

Project Fact Sheet

B.

Project Logical Framework

C.

Press Releases

D.

Curriculum taught during training sessions

E.

Bilateral Meeting Agenda held in P-au-P, Oct. 2-3, 2013 and list of participants

F.

Agreement in Principle

G.

Success Stories

H.

Project Pictures

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About PADF The Pan American Development Foundation is an affiliate of the Organization of American States established in 1962 to implement socio-economic development programs and disaster assistance. For half a century PADF has supported innovative projects that address key challenges in Latin America and the Caribbean. They include developing microenterprises and employment opportunities, improving social services and technical training, strengthening civilsociety and community participation, and aiding victims of natural disasters and humanitarian crises. In 2013, PADF reached more than 10.2 million people in 22 countries, executing grants from public and private sector partnersand promoting corporate social responsibility.

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