Haiti: The Impacts of the 2010 Earthquake on Water and Sanitation in Port-au-Prince

Providing water and sanitation services was perceived as priority response to the cataclysm by many NGOs who immediately worked with the Water and Sanitation National Directorate (DINEPA) to re-establish water distribution. Many engineering companies have been engaged to repair the water supply network.

To provide water to the earthquake survivors, DINEPA conjointly with some NGOs conducted raw water analysis and monitoring for main chemicals, followed by chlorination. Then, water was delivered to affected communities through water trucks (Humanitarian Practice network, 2010). A considerable amount of bladder tanks were installed in the camps throughout Port-au-Price. However, many of the camp occupiers were anxious about drinking the tankered water. Having second thought about its quality, they therefore favored water in small plastic bags. This practice significantly increased the quantity of waste produced in the camps. To deal with sanitation issues, several approaches have been observed encompassing the use of pit latrines, raised latrines over plastic containers, and composting toilets.

To tackle the challenges of cholera 9 months after the quake, activities to build capacities within DINEPA were carried out by several international institutions. The national government conjointly with Dominican Republic designed a 2013-2022 plan to eradicate cholera from the island. The plan consists of carrying extensive awareness and educational activities to encourage people to adopt safe hygiene practices, renovating or constructing water and sanitation facilities in public places like markets and schools.

The coordinated and cojoined efforts of various government agencies, multi-lateral institutions and Non-governmental Organizations to eradicate cholera in the Country have succeeded to some extent. As 2013, 300 000 families have received safe water, food, and improved sanitation services. The disposal of excreta from the camp sites by certain NGOs in unsound environmental manner

• Human waste was disposed in open holes in place of stabilization ponds
• Led to the formation of breeding sites for vector diseases.

The approaches of Red Cross international were successful to some extent. As they integrated local values in their actions, a larger degree of community involvement has been achieved. Disaster risk management in Haiti before the 2010 earthquake did not aim attention at preparedness, mitigation and adaptation strategies through integrated approaches. The focus was on emergency response to hurricanes and floods on an event-by-event basis, which led to severe consequences in term of economic, environmental and social terms.