Haiti: Post-earthquake rehabilitation to meet targeted educational needs in the southwest.
Camp-Perrin, Maniche | Haiti
Project summary
Seven months after the devastation caused by the August 14, 2021, earthquake in southwestern Haiti, the region continues to suffer from difficulties ranging from loss of shelter, income, access to clean water, agricultural production, livelihoods, and essential services, including healthcare and education. Thanks to the support of Swiss Solidarity (SWS), Caritas Switzerland (CACH), and its local partners, Caritas Cayes and the Haitian Association for Agricultural, Medical, Educational, and Social Assistance (AHAAMES), they were able to respond quickly to the immediate needs of the affected populations by distributing unconditional cash transfers to 2,041 families in the communes of Camp-Perrin and Maniche. The aid was provided quickly and, according to feedback from beneficiaries, was well received. However, significant needs remain, and assistance is needed to help families continue on the path to recovery and secure their livelihoods. This proposal aims to address issues of access to schools damaged by the earthquake and access to safe drinking water and sanitation services in schools due to damage or destruction of WASH infrastructure.
The project primarily targeted the municipalities of Camp-Perrin and Maniche, which received unconditional cash transfers in the previous project, focusing this time on the construction/rehabilitation of schools and related educational infrastructure in order to facilitate the resumption of school activities in a more reassuring environment for students and teachers.
PROJECT ACHIEVEMENTS: RESULTS, INDICATORS, AND ACTIVITIES
The project benefited approximately 960 students and 60 teachers and school staff in Camp-Perrin and Maniche affected by the August 14 earthquake through interventions in: i) reconstruction (six classrooms, administrative offices, and access ramps) and rehabilitation (repair of walls, roofs, and other structures) of schools; ii) the rehabilitation of WASH infrastructure (drinking water points, sanitary blocks, handwashing stations, waste pits); iii) capacity building for school stakeholders in good hygiene practices and WASH infrastructure management; iv) preparing school stakeholders for natural disasters. These four interventions will facilitate the return of children to school in safe and healthy conditions.
The proposal addresses specific needs related to access to safe and healthy educational environments. With a projected duration of nine months, the project focused on children from vulnerable families who were concerned about sending their children back to school when the physical learning environment was not yet safe. The partner organization AHAAMES covered the commune of Camp-Perrin, and Caritas Cayes worked in Maniche, while CACH supervised the project and acted as the main project leader. All three have a long-standing presence in Haiti and in-depth knowledge of the geographical areas targeted by this project.
Institutions/Actors/Roles
Implementing organizations: Haitian Association for Agricultural, Medical, Educational, and Social Assistance (AHAAMES)
Partners: Caritas Switzerland, Caritas des Cayes, Swiss Solidarity (SWS), CACH, local authorities.
Location: Haiti, South Department, municipalities of Camp-Perrin and Maniche
Funding amount: USD 301,801.21
Project duration: April 2022–March 2023.
