Approaches

Local consultation to protect water resources [Haiti]

approaches_1764 - Haiti

Completeness: 92%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Book project: where people and their land are safer - A Compendium of Good Practices in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) (where people and their land are safer)

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

20/07/2016

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Yes

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

Protection of water resources
technologies

Protection of water resources [Haiti]

The protection of water resources is essential for the supply of drinking water in the rural zones of Haiti, by enabling to preserve the water quality and facilitate the recharge of the resource. Organizing the actors related to the water resource and to the economic, environmental and communal challenges is …

  • Compiler: Antoine Kocher

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Consultation for natural resource management involves communities, authorities and other actors in collective decision-making to protect water resources in particular, and to institutionalize the management of these.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The management of water resources for drinking water supply in the rural area of Haiti is addressed at catchment scale, by bringing together the management entities which are closest to the infrastructure. The principle of integrated resource management is followed by involving all actors. Three pillars of action are set up: integrated management, local ownership and the so-called 'zoning approach'.

The approach is a combination of measures to drive and divert attitudes and actions in land use, and of measures for restoration and monitoring, which together lead to an ongoing mechanism of ownership for sustainable management. Driving attitudes and actions is a participatory process which enables to identify the actors, to understand the issues, to construct a vision of community-based management of resources, and to build trust. The diversion of attitudes and actions comprises a set of measures aiming at maintaining laws in force and community decisions. The local authorities are responsible for applying these measures and for negotiations with the community. In particular, a municipal decree is issued to guarantee the protection of areas upstream of the water resources in order to protect the quality of the distributed water. The measures for restoration aim at promoting the environmental quality of the catchment, and its capacity to preserve water resources, vegetation cover and soils. Finally, the monitoring includes measures to maintain the area, helps to maintain commitment from the communities and assesses the impact of the measures on the resources.

The 'zoning approach' consists of defining the areas to be protected upstream of the water resources. For these areas, different restrictions for use are determined, based on an extended and supervised consultation, with the aim to protect the quality and recharge of groundwater. Two to three zones are defined based on the negotiations, in order to protect the abstraction of water (zone 1), to protect the water quality (zone 2), and to maintain or regenerate suitable environmental conditions for groundwater recharge (zone 3).

Support is given to help local actors in implementing the different phases of the process, through training and organizing exchange meetings. The civil society (water management committee consisting of farmers and local residents), the private sector (technicians, nursery owners) and the local authorities (mayor, Councils of Administration and Municipal Sections/CASEC) jointly define the conditions and the methods for protection and control. A municipal decree formalizes the restrictions on land use, by declaring the principles of protection which are imposed or recommended, and the possible penalties in case of breach. Although the area directly surrounding the water resource is officially owned by the Haitian state, its use by farmers and the presence of vodou deities require that the negotiations on the restriction of its use and on ownership rights are conducted with caution.

The local communities participate in the measures for protection and regeneration as an in kind contribution to the project. The farmers who changed their goals receive a payment for environmental services according to the success of the implemented afforestation. This grant will be paid in several terms, from the planting of the trees to a growth stage after two years.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

Haiti

Region/ State/ Province:

Artibonite, Central West

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

2008

Comments:

The participatory approach for the protection of the water resources was implemented in 2008, and has developed over time. It has inspired the national regulation for the protection of water resources, which was promoted by the National Directorate for Water and Sanitation.

2.7 Type of Approach

  • project/ programme based

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

The approach consists in raising awareness among the population on the threats to the availability and quality of water resources, and in provoking a response for the sustainable management of these. The initiative and decision-making should be carried by the local actors, which is why the approach is in essence participatory and inclusive. The problems include the access to the water resources, issues of land ownership, and issues of religious traditions. These pose an important potential for conflict and must be managed from the start, through principles of transparency and accountability. Therefore the stakeholders are trained to master the competences required for these negotiations.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • hindering

The vodou deities are aquatic and reside in the water resources. Therefore an arrangement must be found which allows to maintain the religious practices while at the same time protecting the water. The hindrance is that voodoo is often practiced hidden, and that the followers are not always receptive to expressing their needs.

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • hindering

The modification of agricultural practices in the protected zones, where land use changes from rainfed annual cropping to forestry, creates a shift of income. This should be compensated by financial support in the first period.

institutional setting
  • enabling

The communities have the prior right to manage their land and water resources, and in this regard can engage in processes for protection.

  • hindering

The weakness of the institutions requires technical and financial support.

collaboration/ coordination of actors
  • enabling

Ownership of the local actors with regard to initiatives to protect the water resources is a fundamental precondition for sustainability.

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • enabling

The constitution stipulates that the land surrounding the water resources is owned by the state. However, this law is not reflected in practice, and the municipalities must establish decrees to specify the terms of protection and penalty. The actual land use practices do not sufficiently encourage users without title to implement sustainable protection measures.

policies
  • hindering

The fragile political situation in Haiti influences the legitimacy of the local authorities, and their capacity to assemble the population.

land governance (decision-making, implementation and enforcement)
  • hindering

The absence of a land register and land fragmentation in particular weaken the potential for land management.

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • enabling

The competences are trained on site with the water service management committees and among the technical agents of the municipal sections. The adoption of the land management techniques by the land users promotes the sustainability and upscaling of the measures.

  • hindering

Difficulties for the administrations of the municipal sections to secure staff over time. The rotation of members of the water service management committees - due to the election of members for three years - periodically affects the availability of competence for land management and supervision.

workload, availability of manpower
  • hindering

The protection measures proposed for the catchments require an important amount of labor, and do not immediately take effect on the profitability of the enterprises. Also, the differences between the efforts committed by the population in the upstream part of the catchment, and the benefits for the population in the downstream part, are not easily recognized and compensated.

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Farmers, land owners and other land users;
Local residents.

Participate in discussions on issues of sustainability of the resources, decision-making and engagement to modify practices. Delineation of the zones to protect.

  • community-based organizations

Management committee for water services.

Community mobilization, information, participating in discussions on the protection of the water resources, definition of protected areas, supervision and monitoring.

  • SLM specialists/ agricultural advisers

Technical agents

Assist the local authorities in controlling restrictions of use and support the water service management committees and the farmers in the implementation, maintenance and monitoring of measures for protection and regeneration.

  • NGO

The project team

Supports the actors in the process, provides training, offers financial support, monitors the implementation using criteria of eligibility and equity.

  • private sector

Owners of nurseries and technicians

Provide seedlings necessary for afforestation, support and supervise the farmers in the implementation of protection measures, and transfer knowledge with support from technical agents.

  • local government

The Councils of Administration of the Municipal Sections (CASEC) and the municipal authorities.

The former engage the population in the issues of resource protection and sustainable development; the latter engage in negotiations on land and restrictions on land use, and issue a municipal decree.

If several stakeholders were involved, indicate lead agency:

The local authorities

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation interactive The farmers and the communities were made aware of issues on the sustainable management of natural resources. Then they were supported in discussions on the protected areas in order to establish the arguments required for an objective negotiation with the local authorities.
planning interactive
implementation external support The protection measures for the hillslopes and gullies, the barriers in zone 1 and the afforestation works were financed by the project, and implemented by the local communities and the farmers as an in kind contribution.
monitoring/ evaluation external support The principle of payment for ecosystem services is to pay the farmers in several shifts, in order to ensure a good growth of the replanted trees and to make the afforestation successful. The farmers receive a grant for each seedling that is grown to a non-vulnerable state.

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • all relevant actors, as part of a participatory approach
Explain:

The farmers decide on the species to use for the afforestation, but the sustainable land management specialists guide the farmers in identifying the conservation techniques which are most suitable for the terrain. The principle of zoning applies to the areas which were negotiated with the farmers, but the restrictions for use remain the same, <depending on/regardless of> the type of the zone.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:
  • personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Yes

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
  • field staff/ advisers
Form of training:
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • demonstration areas
  • public meetings
Subjects covered:

Soil protection techniques: construction of stone walls, terraces, vegetated barriers, contour ditches.
Forest management, environmental vulnerability, control of slash-and-burn, conflict management, monitoring methods, principles of good governance by management committees.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Yes

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • at permanent centres
Describe/ comments:

Support is provided by the Municipal Agricultural Agency (permanent centers) in order to enable the responsible specialist to know and support the process of land use change and the development of agricultural practices.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, greatly
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

The Committee for Drinking Water supply and Sanitation (CAEPA), which is in charge of the local water service, is the main institutional partner. A close guidance enables to improve management skills, the representation of the population, transparency and efficiency, which will ensure the sustainability of the service.
The Councils of Administration of the Municipal Sections (CASEC) are the local elected officials, who are represented in the CAEPA. They receive training to support the CAEPA in providing the public service and in local governance.
The Municipal Technicians for Drinking Water and Sanitation (TEPAC) are sent on a temporary assignment by the Directorate of Drinking Water and Sanitation. They verify and support the quality and functionality of the service for water and sanitation in their municipalities. They are the direct partners of the CAEPA and benefit from local support to improve their capacities. In this way many activities of training and support facilitate their integration at local level, and their acceptance by the local actors.
The Municipal Agricultural Agencies (BAC) represent the Ministry of Agriculture at the local level. They make a local specialist available for the farmers to improve the production. These specialists are closely involved in the implementation of projects; they benefit from training and integrate the experience and knowledge gained in their institutions.

Specify type of support:
  • capacity building/ training
  • equipment

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Yes

Comments:

The monitoring of the functioning of the system covers the functionality of the water service, the protection of water resources for maintaining the required quality and flows, as well as the relationships of collaboration and information exchange between the local authorities, the technical services and the relationships with the centralized institutions. The monitoring is therefore distributed over the TEPAC, the CAEPA and the technical assistance related to the CASEC.

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

No

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Yes

Specify topics:
  • sociology
  • economics / marketing
  • technology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

Socio-environmental research allows to assess the feasibility of projects in the upstream part of the catchment. They increase the knowledge about local social and demographic aspects, and of the environmental conditions and the impacts of changes in the use of natural resources. This allows to identify and minimize risks of conflict or environmental damage. Economic research deepens the capacity of self-reliance of the system, and assesses in this way the potential for economic sustainability.

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • 10,000-100,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

This approach is implemented in projects financed by own funds, by the Swiss Cooperation or by the Chain of Happiness.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Depending on the cases, intensive labor can be required to implement the physical structures to protect the catchments. A transition to more sustainable maintenance systems must be initiated to make sure that the producers benefit from these works, and will maintain the structures.
An important support for the implementation of the approach is the payment for environmental services. The land use change required for the protection of the water resources generates a change in the economic model, which pushes the farmers from a system of annual production to a system of agroforestry, of which the return is only noticed in the long term. Due to the vulnerability of the rural population of Haiti, this change is only possible if compensations allow to cover the deficits incurred in the short and intermediate term. Thus, the establishment of payments for environmental services rewards the work for afforestation depending on the survival of the seedlings in the first two years. After this period, the trees are sufficiently strong to resist the main hazards.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • labour
To which extent Specify subsidies
partly financed Intensive labor with a contribution required from the land owners and land users.
  • equipment
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
tools fully financed Hand tools are provided for the construction of physical structures.
  • infrastructure
Specify which inputs were subsidised To which extent Specify subsidies
Fencing fully financed The fencing of protected areas involves material cost, which is taken by the project.
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • paid in cash
Comments:

The labor by land users is considered as a local contribution (like the provision of certain local materials), and is therefore monetized to calculate a percentage of participation in the accomplishment of the protection system. Part of the labor is nevertheless paid, according to the requirements from the project.

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

No

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Yes

If yes, specify:

A municipal decree is issued in order to define the rules for protection, and as such, promotes measures for the protection of soils and water resources.

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach empower local land users, improve stakeholder participation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The participatory approach for the management of resources initiates a transparent and inclusive dynamic, which contributes to building citizenship and in this way strengthens the democratic process and the willingness to participate.

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The adoption of the management and protection techniques by the farmers is fostered by involving them from the start, in the analysis and the understanding of the issues related to the natural resources, and in the decision-making on the application of the measures.

Did the Approach improve coordination and cost-effective implementation of SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Due to the scale and the experienced gained, the implementation of the protection measures could be optimized in the program, and presents a cost-benefit ratio which has improved over time.

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of land users to implement SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

A lot of knowledge on the functioning of the environment and on protection techniques was new for the farmers.

Did the Approach build/ strengthen institutions, collaboration between stakeholders?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The collaboration between the local actors can be realized through the management of local resources, since these are of concern and interest for anyone.

Did the Approach mitigate conflicts?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Several potential or latent conflicts were mitigated or solved due to the arrangement of a dialogue and of negotiations. However, cases remain which present risks by the vulnerability of the water resources and the insecurity of land tenure.

Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The approach applies the principles of inclusion which favor the most vulnerable groups (with regard to economic independence, decision-making capabilities and gender equality).

Did the Approach encourage young people/ the next generation of land users to engage in SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly
Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The decisions on land tenure issues, which were taken after the negotiations, were ratified by the formalization of land ownership status.

Did the Approach lead to improved access to water and sanitation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The improved quality and quantity of the water resources are a direct result of the approach.

Did the Approach improve the capacity of the land users to adapt to climate changes/ extremes and mitigate climate related disasters?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The soil protection measures allow to better cope with climate induced hazards by diminishing the risk of catastrophe, and the land use changes reduce the dependency of farmers on variations in seasonal rainfall.

Did the Approach lead to employment, income opportunities?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The intensive labor and the payments for environmental services have created temporary jobs. But the operation of monitoring and control and the new agroforestry practices are undertakings on the long term, which depend on the strength of the management.

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio

The fields with rainfed annual crops in the upstream part of the catchment demonstrated sensitivity to periods of drought in the past years. The land use change could improve the profitability in the long term.

  • reduced land degradation

The land owners are aware of the importance to conserve their fields.

  • reduced risk of disasters

The level of risks and natural hazards in Haiti is high, and the population must live with the consequences. The population is therefore aware of the need to control these risks.

  • payments/ subsidies

The poverty and vulnerability of the rural population in Haiti make subsidized work attractive.

  • rules and regulations (fines)/ enforcement

The municipal decree and the monitoring by the technicians and the authorities encourage the population to comply with the rules. Nevertheless, the local institutional equilibrium does not allow to impose penalties on offenders due to a lack of authority and personnel.

  • prestige, social pressure/ social cohesion

Participation in management committees allows to access a privileged and valued status, which encourages some to engage out of reasons of prestige or political ambitions.

  • affiliation to movement/ project/ group/ networks

Participation in an initiative originating from a project is often perceived as an opportunity to obtain advantages. This element requires precautions in the implementation and monitoring in order to ensure transparency, but above all to not compromise the initial objectives.

  • environmental consciousness

Involving the population in the protection of natural resources, especially children, through awareness raising and information days, allows to improve the environmental consciousness and to achieve better perspectives on sustainability.

  • enhanced SLM knowledge and skills
  • conflict mitigation

Potential conflicts on ownership and rights to use natural resources are mitigated by the openness and transparency of the discussions and decisions.

  • Increased water security

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • uncertain
If no or uncertain, specify and comment:

The technicians related to the CASEC cannot be paid by the state, and their role of monitoring can be threatened if they are not supported by the town council. Therefore, the role of the CAEPA remains functional depending on the success of the water service. The latter is therefore a precondition for the protection of water resources upstream in the catchment. But the farmers who implemented agroforestry systems in the protected zones have good chances to continue their activities.

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
Improved profitability in case of prior difficulties with rainfed crops.
Improved agricultural techniques and sustainability of the enterprises through a sustainable exploitation of the water resources.
Access to paid work.
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
Fostering of community processes and of collective and inclusive decision-making.
Integration of principles of good governance for the management of local water resources.
Uptake of environmental conservation practices in the local communities and potential for upscaling. Improvement of bacterial quality of the water and prevention of risks of depletion by the improvement and preservation of groundwater recharge.
Adaptation to climate change and risk prevention in case of catastrophe, by securing access to drinking water.

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
Some farmers must hand over a part of their land or modify their practices, which can cause social and family conflicts. Open discussions and transparency in the process build trust. The negotiations must take place between peers, and the project should not interfere. If the resistance is too strong, it is better not to continue.
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The method requires skillful coaching, and the project team must withdraw from the key stages of the discussions in the communities. These competences, which condition the success of the approach, are difficult to master.
The risk of a lack of ownership is important, especially due to the upscaling of the projects in the rural zones. The people get used to the projects and consider these as external initiatives, from which they take advantage without necessarily sharing the common objectives.
Understanding the needs of the communities is essential, and supporting them in their own choices. This requires experienced human resources and a culture of joint action with the project.

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys

Visits and monitoring on more than twenty sites during several years

  • interviews with land users

Visits and monitoring on more than twenty sites during several years

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Boire l'eau et penser à la source. Documentation of experience on the protection of water resources.

URL:

https://assets.helvetas.org/downloads/capex_hsi_protection_des_source_vlongue.pdf

Title/ description:

Boire l'eau et penser à la source. Document de capitalisation d'expérience sur la protection des sources

URL:

https://assets.helvetas.org/downloads/capex_hsi_protection_des_source_vlongue.pdf

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