Quarterly Narrative Report (Q4FY15) South Haiti Capacity Building for Disaster Risk Management

The project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA). The project focuses on three strategic objectives: (1) strengthening the emergency preparation and response capacity of the CDGRD, (2) providing vulnerable communities with the information needed to take measures to protect lives and property before, during, and after emergency events, and (3) reducing public health and economic risk in vulnerable communities. During the third quarter of 2015 (July-September), CRS provided logistical support for the EOC consultation in the South and Grand'Anse Departments. The organization also conducted a workshop with the CDGRD and the Incident Command System (ICS) focal point to plan the ICS consultation workshop and finalize the training calendar on Introduction to EOC and Multi Agency Coordination (MAC), Basic/Intermediate ICS course, and Integrated Planning Section course. CRS continued to provide logistical and human resources support to the CDGRD to improve preparation for the 2015 hurricane season. The organization supported the CDGRD South to organize monthly meetings with all humanitarian and ministry actors involved in Disaster Risk Reduction. Technical staff and financial support were provided to the CDGRD for the maintenance and fuel for the EOC generator to be operational in the South. The project also focused on emergency preparedness and DRR awareness campaign messages. CRS received, analyzed, and revised the proposal document submitted by the CDGRD for the awareness campaign in the South. The campaign aimed to inform the population about the initiatives implemented to reduce risks to the public. CRS supported and participated in CDGRD workshops, which included other humanitarian actors, and ensured the organization of workshops to identify lessons learned from the 2014 season and to update the contingency plan for the current hurricane season. As part of the regular program activities, CRS provided financial support to the South CDGRD to conduct awareness campaigns. The campaigns were beneficial to the population of the department, specifically to people who live in high-risk areas. CRS has received positive reports of activities carried out and the reach attained with broadcast messages transmitted via television and radio. The project also focused on infrastructure improvements. The drainage system of Les Cayes requires essential improvements. Project staff expect to achieve this goal as the Mayor supports the implementation of the mitigation activities to produce more sustainable results for the community. Specifically, the Mayor coordinated the participation of the Ministry of Public Works, Transportation and Communications (MTPTC), the departmental delegation, CDGRD, and City Hall resources to resolve the drainage problems and to reduce the flooding possibility for the current hurricane season. Overall, the project has made significant progress in strengthening the emergency preparation and response capacity of the CDGRD in the South Department. The project has also provided vulnerable communities with the information needed to take measures to protect lives and property before, during, and after emergency events, and has reduced public health and economic risk in vulnerable communities.