Since Cyclone Allen hit in 1980, the mangroves of Cahouane on the south coast of Haiti have been overexploited and degraded. By 2015, mangrove bird species had all but disappeared due to snares and theft, trees had been cut down for charcoal, and fish and shellfish stocks had plummeted.

However, thanks to a project funded by the Global Environment Facility 2017-2019 implemented by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Haitian ministries of environment and agriculture and partners, there has been a remarkable turnaround, with a significant return to the mangroves of birds, fish and shellfish, including wild ducks, moorhens, eels and tadpoles.

With the support of UNEP and local partners, the government declared 9 marine protected areas along the south coast, including La Cahouane, in 2013.

To reduce the overexploitation of natural resources, the project focused on creating sustainable livelihoods with the development of agroforestry, beekeeping, cashew processing, aquaculture and sustainable fishing.

The objective was to promote environmental management and socio-economic conditions by strengthening the capacities of the local population to develop and apply rules for the exploitation of environmental resources.

In 2018-2019, the project raised awareness of the value of mangroves, established nurseries, organized training on mangrove plantations and woodlot creation, and provided short-term employment opportunities to 1,392 people, including 37% of women.

From July to December 2019, out of the 2,279 direct beneficiaries of the project, 1,155 were women, or 51%. The dramatic increase in the number of women in outreach, environmental rehabilitation and economic activities has been the main driver of the project's success, officials said.

IH/ iciHaiti