HAITI: DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001294 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/EX, WHA/CAR VDEPIRRO, S/ES-O/CMS, S/CRS, INR/IAA STATE PASS USAID FOR LAC/CAR, OFDA STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PREL PINR PGOV EAID ECON HA SUBJECT: HAITI: DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES ASSISTANCE EFFORTS REF: A. 01284 ¶B. 01275 SUMMARY -------------- ¶1. (U) USAID Acting Deputy Director Alex Deprez reported on a September 10 meeting hosted by the Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communications (TPTC) to discuss infrastructure challenges as a result of recent flooding. Donors represented included: USAID, the European Union, Canada, Germany, France, the World Bank, and the Inter-American Development. End summary. INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES -------------- Bridges ¶2. (SBU) In addition to four bridges considered to be in need of repair or reconstruction -- Montrouis, Latheme, Chalon, and Ennery (ref A)-- there are other bridges, including several near Port-au-Prince (e.g., Tabarre, Grand Goave, Croix des Missions) that have been severely damaged and may be prone to collapse, especially if rains recommence. Roads ¶3. (SBU) There are a number of secondary roads that are cut, isolating secondary towns and their populations. Roads in the southern region that are affected include: Cayes-Jacmel; Marigot; La Vallee- Bainet; Anse a Veau; and Petit Trou de Nippes. (Note: USAID notes the road problems are not limited to the southern region, but other areas as well. End note.) MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE -------------- -------------- ¶4. (SBU) While TPTC has an assessment team, additional technical assistance is welcome. TPTC was requested by donors to submit a needs assessment and formal request for assistance for review and consideration. TPTC Engineering Unit Coordinator Garry Jean said the Government of Haiti (GOH) had available USD 30 million-equivalent in road- building equipment. He added that availability of the equipment at the regional level, however, is a problem. DONOR RESPONSE -------------- ¶5. (SBU) There was considerable discussion on whether ''temporary'' or ''permanent'' bridge infrastructure would be needed. There was later consensus that ''temporary'' (i.e., metal) bridges might be ideal, as they could last 10 years or more and until a longer-term solution to watershed management was found. ''Permanent'' structures, on the other hand, would be costlier and not necessarily a permanent solution. ¶6. (SBU) All of the donors present offered engineering assessment expertise -- approximately 15 experts. However, no one present committed to funding bridge structures, etc. It was agreed that proper assessment and engineering are prerequisites and given the scope of the work to be done nationwide, including secondary vulnerabilities, assessment teams, in appropriate coordination with TPTC, could be of significant help. ¶7. (SBU) The European Union and the Inter-American Development Bank are looking at re-programming their infrastructure funds and considering possible additional funds. Due to the nature of their bilateral agreements with the GOH, the request would have to formally come from the GOH. ¶8. (U) In order to better coordinate the assessment phase, all donors were invited to a meeting September 11 at the UN Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH). SANDERSON