DOWNLOAD
A PHOTO REPORT
Download
a photographic report about the flooding and the danger to the canal
prepared by ORE in collaboration with the Ateliers Ecoles de Camp
Perrin and the Mayor of Camp Perrin, Haiti. View photos of the irrigation
system, showing the progressive buildup of sediment in the river bed
caused by deforestation in the Macaya Mountain range and the dangers
it presents for Camp Perrin and its property and infrastructure.
IN
THE WAKE OF HURRICANES IVAN AND JEANNE
THE CANAL IS IN IMMINENT DANGER OF BEING BURIED AND LOST FOREVER.
The
flooding in the Ravine du Sud River following hurricanes Ivan and
Jeanne have started to inundate the canal system with sediment. The
canal is gradually being buried beneath alluvium from the Ravine du
Sud.
Camp
Perrin is situated below the watershed of the Macaya mountain range
which has one of the highest rainfalls in Haiti. The mountains are
being deforested and steep slopes farmed causing landslides and erosion
of sediment downstream. The level of the river is rising between 50
cms and 1 meter every year, as more and more rocks, soil and gravel
are washed down. Urgent steps are needed to protect the Canal d'Avezac
from being buried.
The buildup of sediment in the river bed has now exposed the canal
system to flooding and it is in imminent danger of being buried
and becoming non-operational.
IRRIGATION
FROM THE CANAL D'AVEZAC IS A MAJOR SOURCE OF WEALTH
The Canal
d'Avezac, built by the French colonials in 1759, has been a source
of wealth for the region for centuries. It provides irrigation for
2,000 hectares and allows farmers to grow high value crops ensuring
them a good living. The level of the river is now so high that the
La Prise catchment area of the canal system is in imminent danger
of being buried in sediment and lost forever. Urgent measures are
required to protect this valuable regional infrastructure. The
Canal d'Avezac irrigates the fertile land in the Plain des Cayes,
Haiti's breadbasket for corn, beans, hot peppers and other staple
crops. The loss of the irrigation system will reduce farmers from
commercial agriculture to subsistence farming.
The
community is urgently requesting support
to protect against the rising level
of the river to avoid the system being buried.
THE MACAYA WATERSHED
Despite
decades of warnings nothing can be done about halting the destruction
of the watershed. Although this area is part of a National Park, uncontrolled
farming continues: Desperate subsistence farming by migrant farmers
- numbering probably less than 6,000 - are destroying the watershed
and endangering the communities to flooding, lowering the water tables,
and demolishing irrigation systems affecting an estimated 600,000
people.
Migrant farmers, often from other areas of the country, come to exploit
the Macaya region. They cut the trees for planks and charcoal, burn
the land and plant cash crops such as beans and yams. They make money
during one or two season before erosion removes the topsoil at which
point they move on.
The
landslide (white area) is sending million of cubic meters of sediment
into the river downstream. There is an urgent need to reestablish
a rational utilization of the area and protect the lives and economies
of the communities downstream.
A PLEA FOR ASSISTANCE FOLLOWING THE HURRICANE FLOODS
The community
is asking for support to take immediate measures to protect against the
rising level of the river to avoid the irrigation system being buried, and
for expert repairs to provide long-term protection, perhaps creating a roof
to the catchment area or similar durable solutions. Following the terrible
recent disasters in Fond Verette and Gonaïves, and the damage created by
hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan, there is also a clear need to take measures
to protect the threatened areas of the town of Camp-Perrin. INFORMATION
ABOUT HURRICANES IN HAITI SINCE 1950
The damage
from hurricanes is caused by two factors, wind and flooding. Hurricanes
such as Jeanne and Ivan caused little wind damage, but extensive destruction
from flooding. The south of Haiti, where ORE is based, is particularly vulnerable
to hurricanes and flooding. Here are some historical facts about hurricanes
that have affected Haiti:
Hurricane Name
Date
Wind
Deaths
Damage
Jeanne
Sep 17, 2004
113 mph
1,500
Devastating flooding and
mudslides in Gonaïves
and northern Haiti.
Ivan
Sep 10, 2004
116 mph
3
Passed south of Haiti, but
heavy rains caused flooding particularly in southern Haiti.
Lili
Sep 27, 2002
Hurricane force subsided to tropical
storm over Haiti
12
Severe flooding particularly
in southern Haiti.
Georges
Sep 22, 1998
120 mph
150 - 500
Severe flooding and loss of life in
Haiti
Emily
Sep 22, 1987
120 mph
n.a.
Damage in Haiti
Allen
Aug 5, 1980
140-160 mph
220
$400 million of damage, principally
in the south of Haiti
Inez
Sep 29, 1966
140 mph
750
$20 million of damage in Haiti
Cleo
Aug 24, 1964
150 mph
192
$17 million of damage, principally in
the south of Haiti
Flora
Oct 3, 1963
145-180 mph
5,000
Extensive damage in the
south of Haiti
Ella
Sep 1, 1958
110 mph
30
Damage in the south of Haiti
Hazel
Oct 11, 1954
120-125 mph
400-1,000
Extensive damage in the south of Haiti
Source: National Climatic Data Center
and News Agencies
Since 1985, the
Organization for the Rehabilitation of the Environment
has developed and operated fruit tree grafting and crop improvement programs
in rural Haiti.
During those years several international agencies have generously provided
the funding that made it possible to maintain continuity of our development
projects. These include USAID, the European Union, the Canadian Embassy,
Inter-American Development Bank and other contributors.
