On Wednesday, July 1st, 2026, the National Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), through the Western Regional Office of Drinking Water and Sanitation (OREPA-West), and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding at DINEPA headquarters in Pétion-ville.

Under this agreement with DINEPA, the ICRC's role is to provide logistical, financial, and operational support to guarantee access to drinking water and sanitation in vulnerable areas, particularly those affected by violence.

It should be noted that the ICRC primarily acts as a humanitarian partner of the Haitian government to : rehabilitate and maintain water infrastructure and pumping stations; and provide the fuel essential for the operation of water distribution networks. To provide technical and material support to strengthen the capacity of DINEPA staff and facilitate humanitarian access to affected neighborhoods to preserve or restore water services.

The key figures who participated in the signing ceremony were Karl-Eddy Thelusma, Director of OREPA-Ouest; Marisela Silva Chau, Head of the ICRC Delegation in Haiti; Edwige Petit, General Coordinator of DINEPA; and staff from both the ICRC and DINEPA/OREPA-Ouest.

This agreement, which is very important for the institution, focuses on improving and strengthening the drinking water production capacity of the Duvivier and Tapis-Rouge pumping stations, operated by the Western Regional Office for Drinking Water and Sanitation (OREPA-West).

Taking advantage of this strategic partnership, DINEPA and the ICRC reaffirm their commitment to combining their efforts to guarantee more equitable, sustainable, and secure access to drinking water and sanitation services. This initiative is specifically designed to benefit the populations of Cité-Soleil, Duvivier, Tapis-Rouge, and surrounding communities, all located within the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area.

The implementation of this protocol will enable DINEPA to increase its drinking water production and distribution capacity, and, most importantly, to strengthen the resilience of water infrastructure and improve the living conditions of tens of thousands of beneficiaries.

IH/ S/ iciHaiti