GEO Haiti 2010

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GEO HAITI • 2010 156 Driving Forces Energy Needs State of the Environment Descriptions The government has not yet found a solution to the country’s energy problem. As such the population’s demand for energy remains extremely high while the supply continues to decrease. The provision of hydroelectric power is greatly affected by the phenomena of erosion and sedimentation. Demand for energy exceeds supply which means less people have access to electricity. - Marine and Coastal Environments The most serious problems which could impact the coastal zone are the increased destruction of beaches and the uncontrolled clearing of mangroves for construction and charcoal producing purposes; the risk of extinction of certain marine species and the complete loss of others; the growing vulnerability of coastal towns; the destruction of food and natural reserves particularly coral reefs and the decline of aquatic biodiversity. - Water Resources Water tables are extremely contaminated due to the lack of wastewater treatment as well as organic and chemical pollution. The occurrence or the intensifying of phenomena such as the salinity of aquifers, the flow reduction or even the drying up of water sources greatly impact the sanitary quality of the population’s water. Further water shortage could also be observed in several areas around the country. - Forest Cover and Diversity Increasing population pressures and their effect on the environment have reached their highest point. More and more trees are cut down each year as the research on alternatives to charcoal as an energy source was not very successful. Soil is deteriorating further and vegetative cover has been greatly reduced. Erosion begins to extend to areas previously spared. None of the measures to protect natural resources is enforced. Mountain watersheds are deprived of vegetative cover, in addition to forest clearing in order to expand areas for farming; the overexploitation of natural resources runs the strong risk of jeopardising new animal and plant species. Biodiversity continues to be mercilessly exploited. New animal and plant species are in danger of extinction. Anthropic pressure threatens the country’s protected areas yet the Ministries of Environment and Agricultural and Legal regulations have not come together to put legally-binding measures in place. - Air Quality Throughout the country, the proliferation of second-hand vehicles unequipped with catalytic converters contributes significantly to air pollution. Increased charcoal production and the lack of monitoring of factories are major sources of polluting emissions. Frequent open burning of refuse negatively affects air quality.
State of the Environment Report 2010 Driving Forces Descriptions 157 Urban Growth in Coastal Areas People increasingly settle in the cities, particularly Port-au-Prince, thereby increasing the contradictions and contrasts in the urban areas. Environmental components such as water, air, the sea and the coast are threatened. In addition, a large part of the population becomes even more vulnerable as they continue to settle in highrisk coastal areas. Socioeconomic Situation - Education Education is also inadequate both in terms of its quality and its ability to grasp or meet the needs of the population. The government does not carefully monitor the operations of educational establishments through the Ministry of Education, even though a large number of these and their services are often of dubious quality. - Health Health services are unable to meet the demands of the rapid rise in population growth. - Employment Poverty alleviation efforts are unsuccessful. Government services are insufficient and do not really help to improve the socioeconomic situation of vulnerable communities. International aid is reduced and the population becomes poorer, the vast majority in desperate need. 60% of the annual budget is financed by the international community which has only disbursed a minute portion of funds. Grants for some unfinished projects employing a large number of labourers have run out. - Natural Disasters The country’s capacity to cope with natural disasters is weak. It becomes more dependent on international aid to prepare for the hurricane season which requires great human and logistical resources. The population becomes more and more vulnerable, despite the goodwill of the government which has to contend with major external economic constraints. Centralisation of Economic Activities - Economic Centers There is a rapid growth of slums on the periphery of the economic centres as well as additional pressure on the environment and housing. All this is linked to a lack of basic services and other infrastructures.
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GEO Haiti 2010

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