Haiti
Between 2001 and 2020, Haiti lost 72,116 hectares of tree cover.
Between 2001 and 2020, Haiti lost 72,116 hectares of tree cover.
Forest restoration in Haiti is crucial for:
1. Natural Disaster Mitigation: Forests absorb rainfall and prevent soil erosion, reducing the impact of floods and sustaining agriculture and fisheries.
2. Biodiversity Conservation: Restoring forests in areas like the Massif de la Hotte and Massif de La Selle is essential to preserve Haiti’s unique biodiversity and provide ecosystem services.
3. Support for Local Communities: Focusing on native forests and biodiversity-friendly agroforestry systems, along with economic incentives for locals, can improve disaster resilience, agricultural productivity, and community well-being.
In Haiti, where only 2% of the original forest remains, the stark link between poverty and deforestation is evident. Many families, driven by desperation, contribute to this cycle by selling charcoal, further harming the land. Despite challenges like civil unrest, violence, and natural disasters, our partner’s, Plant With Purpose, farmers demonstrate remarkable resilience. Since 1997, Plant With Purpose has been dedicated to sustainable community development in Haiti. The organization has achieved significant success in establishing savings groups, tree planting, and farmer training, overcoming recent hurdles like COVID-19, political turmoil, and natural disasters. Through this partnership, farmers adopt soil conservation practices and combat erosion, while savings groups provide financial stability and business opportunities. The program also fosters spiritual renewal, instilling hope amidst Haiti's political, natural, and economic challenges.
Our partner’s reforestation efforts in Haiti include:
1. Macaya Peak: Critical for water and biodiversity, with Haiti's last virgin cloud forest.
2. Grand Sud Region: Focusing on areas like Port Salut and Ile-à-Vache.
3. Coastal and Riverbank Areas: Targeting zones prone to flooding, with extensive reforestation efforts.
Our partner’s program operates across 7 watersheds, with the involvement of 691 savings groups. A total of 16,350 families are actively participating, benefiting 97,772 people. They have also established 125 church partnerships. A significant achievement of the program is the planting of 6,062,377 trees, contributing to environmental restoration and community development.