After having established emergency assistance programs, the NGO Solidarités International, present in Haiti since 2010, supported by the European Union extends its action through an ambitious program of urban development of neighborhood of Christ Roi, which will extend over 3 years (January 2013-December 2015) with its partners "Emergency Architects Foundation" and "Entrepreneurs of the World" with funding from the European Union to the tune of €4,3MM.

By providing quality basic services (water, electricity, sanitation, infrastructure) the challenge is to improve living conditions for populations and to eventually increase the housing offer. It is to rehabilitate in a sustainable way a neighborhood with high informality, to make it healthier, safer and more economically attractive.

A special feature of the project is the close involvement of the population in the reflection of its future neighborhood. One of the first steps, after a process of 6 months, resulted in a neighborhood development plan, based on the needs expressed by the population and articulated on the vision of Haitian institutions. It is on this basis that the activities of rehabilitation of equipment, infrastructure and housing will be decided.

Friday, were presented the urban neighborhood development projects of Christ Roi, prior to their approval by the authorities, in the presence of Marie Joseph René the Mayor of Port-au-Prince, Raphaël Brigandi, Charge of Political Affairs of the Delegation of the European Union and Mrs. Eléonore Labattut, Service Planning & Habitat of the Inter Ministerial Committee of Planning (CIAT).

• The rehabilitation and construction of new housing will facilitate the resettlement of displaced persons and help alleviate the chronic shortage of housing. A training process of bosses masons and of awareness of the importance of earthquake-resistant construction, will allow to disseminate widely the good construction practices. The rehabilitation and development of infrastructure and public spaces will improve accessibility, mobility and socialization within the neighborhood.

• The sanitary conditions of the neighborhood, a major concern of residents, will be improved. A remediation plan is being finalized and will establish, in line with the configuration of the neighborhood and the habitat heterogeneity, of solutions for better sanitation, a waste collection system, and a plan to improve the public drainage system.

• Support for Economic Development will strengthen and diversify the neighborhood players who will benefit from improved infrastructure (roads, public space, market...) Technical support (training, coaching) and financial (micro-credit) will be brought to small traders, craftsmen and experienced companies of Christ Roi. A specific support will also be offered for the creation of new businesses.

Note that this project is also supported among others by the Mayor of Port-au-Prince, CIAT, the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication (MTPTC), the Unit of Housing Construction and of Public Buildings (UCLBP), the National Directorate of Water Supply and Sanitation (DINEPA) and the Metropolitan Service of Solid Waste Collection (SMCRS).

SL/ HaitiLibre