PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti, Oct 10, CMC – The Organisation of American States (OAS) conducted a technical mission in Haiti this week to assess waste-management challenges and identify local solutions that could receive support from the regional body.
The delegation, led by Mark Lambrides, director of the OAS Department of Sustainable Development, also sought to determine how the organisation could support Haiti’s priorities.
The mission followed a commitment made by OAS Secretary General Albert R. Ramdin during his August 16-19 visit to Haiti, in response to priorities identified by Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé.
In the North and Northeast Departments, the delegation visited communities affected by solid waste and plastic pollution, as well as the new landfills at Morne Casse and Mouchinette, a composting centre, a government tree nursery and a protected mangrove area.
The team also met local authorities and entrepreneurs working to develop environmental solutions.
In Port-au-Prince, Lambrides and OAS Representative in Haiti Catherine Pognat met on Thursday, October 8, with Fils-Aimé and Minister of the Environment Valéry Fils-Aimé.
Their discussions focused on OAS support for Haiti’s proposed “Clean, Safe, and Resilient Territories” initiative, which seeks to address pollution while creating jobs and income opportunities, particularly for young people.
The OAS said it would work with Haitian authorities to develop the initiative into a concrete programme and explore financing opportunities with international partners.
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