Haitian National Coalition for the Environment

A new alternative charcoal briquette developed by a professor from MIT has been introduced in southern Haiti. Professor Amy Smith and her students have created an alternative that is made from locally available organic materials, a steel drum, and a press.

Excerpts from the Peasant Movement of Papaye (MPP) 35th Annual Congress

4. On the issue of food security:

Interview with Yves-Andre Wainwright

Former Haitian Minister of the Environment
19 February 2008

Tropical Storm Noel was deadly for the island of Hispaniola and the Caribbean, leaving at least 142 dead. UN helicopters have been unable to survey the damage before today.

By Isaac Cherestal, CAPAS

The general situation for the environment in the city of Les Cayes and its surrounding area: the city is threatened! The city is at an altitude of three feet below sea level. Les Cayes was founded by Nicolas Ovando in 1503. The city burned to the ground in 1630 and is in danger of being immersed in water. Les Cayes is between two rivers: Rivyè Lilèt which crosses to the east of the city to empty into Lasavane, and the Ravine of the South which crosses to the west to empty into Dèyèfò.

On July 2-4, 2007, sixty representatives of international and national non-governmental organizations, grassroots groups, the Haitian government and other key stakeholders for Haiti’s environment took part in the National Environmental Initiative. The meeting focused on identifying strategic steps towards coordination and collaboration. At the close of the conference the participating organizations established a coalition devoted to the restoration of Haiti’s natural environment.