Morne Hercules under the sun, 9 October 2012- Standing in front of her house under construction, a helmet on her head, Mrs Josette Clotilde, 62, stops working for a moment and says with a smile: "I've been working here for two months. We had many difficulties to rebuild houses. We do a bit of work but we receive three times more to help us rebuild”.
The home of Mrs. Clotilde is one of 19 earthquake- and storm-resistant houses under construction through the Morne Hercule pilot project of the 16 neighborhoods / 6 camps (16/6) program. It is being undertaken by the first set of workers specialized in earthquake-resistant construction who were trained by the project. Repair or reconstruction of these houses is not free but is partly subsidized and some family members whose houses are being rebuilt are involved in the work. "Among the workers, there are three women who are to have a house here. There will be five people who live with me. We would like to finish the work quickly so we can go home. I live now under a shelter”, concludes Mrs. Clotilde.
This pilot project is part of the activities of neighborhood rehabilitation of the 16/6 project which celebrated its first anniversary on October 9 having exceeded expectations.
With initial funding of US$30 million from the HRF, the 16/6 project originally aimed at closing six IDP camps and organizing the return of 5000 displaced families to their 16 neighborhoods of origin. Following the initial promising results of the project, CIDA provided additional funding of US$20 million which resulted in the closure of 26 camps around Champs de Mars and the relocation of 4,651 families who were in those camps. In total, 50 camps have been closed and 11,000 families have been relocated.
Rehabilitation of the areas where IDPs are returning is currently the focus of the project. It operates not only through the repair and reconstruction of houses as in Morne Hercule, but also by improving infrastructure, access to water and electricity. In addition, the project is working to set up income-generating activities in the neighborhoods. Eight community platforms have been created so far within neighborhoods that allow concerted action between the people and the activities of the 16/6 program.
Funded by international donors, implemented by several UN agencies, supported by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications and the National Institute of Vocational and hosted in the premises of the Housing and Public Buildings Coordination Unit, the 16/6 program is a true symbol of the partnership between the international community and the Government of Haiti.