Haiti – Dominican Republic - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

honey production etc.) and the creation ofcommunal tree nurseries.c. Expand the species listed for reforestation toinclude trees suitable for fuel wood collection,and also charcoal production in some Haitianareas.d. Include contracts with the landowners to ensuresurvival of planted trees and sustainability. Alsocontinue to support re-forestation activities withtechnical assistance, including techniciansvisiting the sites on a regular basis.e. Extend the scope of work beyond reforestationto include installation of erosion control featureswith integrated revegetation. Examplesinclude contour lines of elephant grass andbamboo planting integrated with rock gullyplug installations.f. Include the most vulnerable population in thework of the brigades in reforestation, and takeinto consideration the periodic vulnerabilityof the population. This includes removing therequirement of having to be able to offer at least1.25 carreau of land for the project, in order tobe able to become a member of a brigade,as it is removing a critical number of needyhouseholds to this cash for work project, as wellas households that are likely to be engaged incharcoal production.g. Schedule short term employment interventionsif possible for when there is the greatest need.For example energy, water and food insecurityoccur specific times of the year, when alternativesolutions are mostly needed.h. The cooperation and exchange of informationbetween the various international reforestationand rehabilitation projects on-going in the borderzone should be increased, in order to avoidoverlap and increase the value for money spent.i. Prioritize upper catchment reforestation fortransboundary catchments to cap existing floodrisks (see below).RationaleLand degradation is a major issue in the borderregion and deforestation is ongoing. Increasedforest cover can arrest further degradation.Labour intensive reforestation projects can provideshort-term alternative livelihood opportunities andthereby decrease pressure on illegal transboundarydeforestation and charcoal production.Re-forestation brigades have also shown to beable to increase awareness on more sustainablepractices within the communities where they work,while the on-going MPP project has proven to bea good platform for transboundary cooperationon the ministerial level between the two countries.Cost: US$ 2 million per annumSchedule: 5 years+Responsibility: Ministry of Environment Haiti. Ministryof Environment and Natural Resources DominicanRepublic.2. Sustainable agricultural development:Reform and develop the artisanal and smallscale agricultural sector in the border zone toimprove sustainability and livelihoods.Design & scopea. Train farmers in sustainable practices andcrops that are suitable for the various locationsand climates existing along the border zone.Examples including fruit tree grafting and planting,agroforestry, improved seeds, seed storage,crop rotation, fertilizer use and drip irrigation.b. Supplement technical support with logisticaland financial support for widely disseminatedsmall scale investments such as fruit seedlings,improved seeds, fertilizer, seed bins, drip irrigationequipment.c. Introduce agricultural micro-credit.d. Address the issue of land tenure in the isolatedparts of the border zone on the Dominicanside (Elias Piña province) where this still is akey problem. (Haitian land tenure is a nationalscale priority).e. Strengthen the capacity of farmer organizationsto enable spreading of best practice, pooledsupport, shorter supply chains between theproducers and end customers and economiesof scale in implementing the introduced reformsand improvements.f. Strengthen the capacity of communities tobetter utilize organic waste.g. Enforce a ban on the use of slash and burnagriculture whilst presenting viable alternatives.RationaleAt present artisanal and small scale agriculturein the border zone (both sides of the border) is110 Haiti – Dominican Republic: Environmental challenges in the border zone