The Haitian municipalities of Cap-Haïtien and Les Cayes are raising awareness of environmental issues to galvanize municipal and public action, with a focus on improving solid waste management (SWM). This is a crucial challenge in Haiti, particularly in communal markets, which are major sources of garbage.
Cities Alliance is supporting both municipalities through the LAVIL programme, whose goals include implementing efficient waste management systems to improve urban cleanliness, protect the environment, and contribute to public health. LAVIL is funded by USAID.
The awareness-raising activities kicked off on 5 June 2024 to capitalise on the global advocacy surrounding World Environment Day.
Cap-Haïtien hosts conference on environmental issues
The conference brought together municipal stakeholders, local private sector representatives, and local organisations to discuss sustainable solutions to environmental challenges such as air pollution, waste management, and the threat of landslides.
Presentations by environmental specialists led to engaging discussions about the environmental vulnerability of the city of Cap-Haïtien, with a focus on soil degradation and desertification. Participants also explored strategies to improve solid waste management, with feedback from several composting companies.
On this day devoted to environmental issues, the municipality also organised a sector table dedicated to solid waste management, water, and sanitation.
The municipality concluded the conference with an announcement that it intends to create a multi-stakeholder task force to collaborate on tackling Cap-Haïtien’s environmental problems.
SWM campaigns target youth and traders
To reinforce the messages at the community level, the municipalities also conducted awareness-raising activities targeting youth and traders in public markets. Cities Alliance members and implementing partners AVSI and Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) led these activities.
- In Les Cayes, near the Rival market, the Lycée Agricole de Cance welcomed some 60 pupils from 15 schools for workshops on organic waste recycling, enhanced by educational games.
- At the Lycée Professionnel Cité Lescot in Cap-Haïtien, about 50 pupils from three community schools learned about environmental issues specific to their city, with a focus on domestic waste management.
- Targeted campaigns were carried out at the Pont Neuf market in Cap-Haïtien to encourage merchants to improve the management of waste produced in public markets, which is over 60 per cent organic matter, according to Haitian researcher Dr Joaneson Lacour.
Through these activities, we have learned to better manage the waste we produce. We are delighted with the implementation of these initiatives and hope they will multiply for a cleaner and healthier future.
– Community member and beneficiary
These initiatives were warmly welcomed by school leaders and local stakeholders. Their success attracted the attention of local organisations, representatives of the municipal administration, and managers of the Rival and Pont Neuf markets, who acknowledged the potential for positive change and expressed the hope that these initiatives would continue for more effective waste management.
