Program Objectives
Specific water and sanitation technologies will depend upon local conditions, community demand, the recommendations of our local partners, and Water.org best practices. Prior to construction, Water.org and its local partner organizations will assess the local conditions to identify the best water and sanitation solutions through a variety of methods that may include market research studies, baseline and geographical surveys, and participatory rural appraisals.
- Increase the level of access to sustainable, safe water and sanitation services for 50,000 people among poor and vulnerable populations.
- Decrease the prevalence of water- and sanitation-related diseases in the target areas. Promote integrated water resources management at the local level with a focus on maintaining the quantity and quality of drinking water.
- Increase awareness of good hygiene practices.
- Measure the demand for credit-based water-supply and sanitation solutions at the community level in the target areas.
The Water & Sanitation Crisis
The water and sanitation situation in Haiti is among the most dire in the Western hemisphere. According to the WHO/UNICEF 2008 Joint Monitoring Program report, only about 70% of urban residents and 51% of rural residents have access to improved water services. Sanitation coverage is also very low in both urban (29%) and rural (12%) areas of the country.
Haiti is considered a water-stressed country. Total available water resources per capita are about 1,660 cubic meters (just under the 1,700 threshold). Less than 1% of these resources are in use. Groundwater potential exists in the mountainous areas and in some coastal areas, but accessing this has been a challenge for many communities. Virtually no water treatment facilities are properly functioning for the general public in the country. Soil erosion and deforestation have also contributed to diminished water quality. Moreover, Haiti’s seasonal rainfall patterns provide too much rain for some during segments of the year and too little for others during the dry season.
Current GDP per capita is approximately $570 in nominal terms and $1,318 in purchasing power terms. An estimated 80% of people live under the poverty line.
