NEW FORESTS PROJECT’S WORK IN HAITI

February 2010

The devastation created by the January 12, 2010, earthquake that hit Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, led to major relief efforts in the devastated urban centers provided by a number of highly qualified international organizations and government agencies.  Support for Haiti over the coming months and years will gradually have to move from disaster relief to rebuilding the capital and promoting economic development throughout the country.  At the New Forests Project (NFP), we believe that long-term recovery of the country will have to focus not only on urban areas but also on rebuilding the countryside in order to promote economic development, food security and rural prosperity among the growing Haitian population.

Haiti is the Western Hemisphere’s most impoverished country and one that has suffered the most from widespread deforestation.  Forests currently cover only 3 percent of the land.  Deforestation and unsustainable land use practices have led to massive soil degradation and agricultural stagnation long before the earthquake hit.  Two weeks after the earthquake, over 270,000 people had left the capital and settled in other urban and rural areas of the country.  The influx of people into these impoverished areas, which were already struggling to meet basic human needs, has created even more strain on local populations and their limited resources. 

For the past two years, the New Forests Project has been working with local non-profit organizations in Haiti’s countryside to reverse land degradation, promote reforestation and food security.  It has been doing so, by supporting the planting of agroforestry trees and fruit trees, which are desperately needed to generate a local supply of food and new sources of revenue. Agroforestry trees diversify and increase productivity while simultaneously restoring soil fertility and ecosystem functions. 

The following is a description of the projects receiving support from NFP:

Reforestation in Terrier-Rouge

NFP has recently supported a reforestation project in Terrier-Rouge, in the North-East province of Haiti.  In August of 2009, NFP provided financial resources to a local non-profit, IDDH (Initiative pour le Developpement Durable d’Haiti- Initiative for the Sustainable Development of Haiti) to expand their reforestation and food security efforts. Thanks to NFP’s financial support, approximately 5,000 fruit and agroforestry trees were produced in their nursery and planted in the field; and an additional 420 grafted citrus and mango trees were purchased and distributed locally.  Funds were also used to provide training to eighty-eight local farmers on tree-planting and tree-caring techniques.  As a result of all this, a total of 11 hectares have been reforested.  NFP’s program partner reported that since the earthquake hit, approximately 12,000 people have migrated into the province.   

To view the full report (in French) sent to us by IDDH click here

Seed Distribution in northern Haiti

During the past two years, NFP has provided approximately 25 kilograms of seeds to another partner organization in Haiti, AKV (AyitiKonseVet-Haiti Conservation Green).  This organization works in northern Haiti to promote food self-sufficiency and restore farming as a way of life. AKV has been distributing New Forests Projects tree seeds to many small groups in the area working on home gardens and reforestation.  A total of seven nurseries have been established by AKV that have distributed 600 fruit and agroforestry trees in the past year.  AKV is also using NFP seeds in 6 school vegetable gardens that are being cared by over 140 children who are learning about organic gardening and environmental protection.  

If you have any further questions you can contact Pia Iolster (Program Director) mailto:piolster@ic-nfp.org