Haiti – Dominican Republic - Disasters and Conflicts - UNEP

Case study 7. Cross-border trade in the market of Ouanaminthe – DajabónIn parallel with the formal trade between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, informal transactions between the twocountries have become increasingly important in recent years and attract merchants of both nationalities to severalof the bi-national markets. Studies conducted in 2001 estimated the value of official agricultural trade between thetwo countries to USD 10 million per year and the informal agricultural trade to USD 40-60 million. 285Of the 14 bi-national markets along the border, the market of Dajabón – Ouanaminthe is the main place for informaltrade between Haiti and the Dominican Republic. 286 This particular market also represents 56% of the total value ofHaitian informal exports to the Dominican Republic. 287 Between 2004 and 2005 over USD 5 million worth of productspassed from Haiti to the Dominican Republic through this market. 288The market is located mainly on Dominican territory and operates twice a week. Each market day, Dominican borderofficials allow Haitian producers, sellers and consumers to cross the border without controlling their identification.Inside the market, a space is reserved for Haitian merchants, who pay a certain sum for each square meter they use. 289The goods exchanged there are mostly agricultural produce. Mainly bananas, eggs, onions, shallots and mirlitons aresold by Dominicans to Haitians. Haitians sell mostly rice, green beans and garlic, but also seasonal products such asavocado, grenadia and bitter orange, to the Dominican Republic.Despite being by far the largestmarket, Dajabón – Ouanaminthe isnot specialized in the trade of animals,except for poultry. More than 50% ofthe trade in livestock (such as goat, beefand pork) happens in Hato Viejo. 37%of it happens in Tilory, and 11% of it inCapotille. In 2001, exports of animalsrepresented 11% of the value of totalexports from Haiti to the DominicanRepublic. 290The bi-national market of Ouanaminthe-Dajabon is the largest of the14 bi-national markets.© UNEP8.4 Rural population increaseand transboundary migrationRural overcrowding, severe forms of environmentaldegradation, and lack of livelihood options on theHaitian side of the border are driving transboundarymigration towards the Dominican Republic. Themanagement and treatment of Haitian migrantsin the Dominican Republic is a high profiletransboundary issue. After the earthquake thenumber of Haitians living in the DominicanRepublic increased by 15%. Haitian migrantsnow represent approximately 10% of the entireDominican population. 291 The use of detrimentalpractices by the migrants, like those which havecaused much of the environmental degradationin Haiti, such as soil erosion and productivity losses,are now damaging areas on the Dominican sideof the border.At the same time, Haitian migrant labour stronglysupports the Dominican economy through low-costlabour, while it provides livelihoods for hundreds ofthousands of Haitians, which also is supportingthe Haitian economy through remittances. Thelargest single problem for Haitian migrant workersin the Dominican Republic is mistreatment andexploitation by their Dominican employers. This isparticularly acute for illegal migrants, who makeup the majority of working migrants since the postearthquake surge of 2010. Problems noted includea failure to pay salaries, poor work and livingconditions, forced expulsions, and intimidation.It is a particular problem in the border area. TheDominican side of the area has a high populationof Haitian agricultural laborers and the border poststhemselves are flashpoints for abuse and conflict.Haitians returning home after a period of illegalwork in the Dominican Republic are frequently bothHaiti – Dominican Republic: Environmental challenges in the border zone89