VZCZCXRO1065
RR RUEHQU
DE RUEHPU #1294 2552050
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 112050Z SEP 08
FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 8823
INFO RUEHZH/HAITI COLLECTIVE
RUMIAAA/HQ USSOUTHCOM J2 MIAMI FL
RUCOWCV/CCGDSEVEN MIAMI FL
RHMFISS/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK 1612

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 001294 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR WHA/EX, WHA/CAR VDEPIRRO, S/ES-O/CMS, S/CRS, 
INR/IAA 
STATE PASS USAID FOR LAC/CAR, OFDA 
STATE PASS TREASURY FOR ERIN NEPHEW 
SOUTHCOM ALSO FOR POLAD 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: AEMR ASEC CASC PREL PINR PGOV EAID ECON HA
SUBJECT: HAITI: DAMAGED INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES 
ASSISTANCE EFFORTS 
 
REF: A. 01284 
     ¶B. 01275 
 
SUMMARY 
------- 
 
¶1. (U) USAID Acting Deputy Director Alex Deprez reported on a 
September 10 meeting hosted by the Ministry of Public Works, 
Transport and Communications (TPTC) to discuss infrastructure 
challenges as a result of recent flooding.  Donors 
represented included:  USAID, the European Union, Canada, 
Germany, France, the World Bank, and the Inter-American 
Development.  End summary. 
 
INFRASTRUCTURE CHALLENGES 
------------------------- 
 
Bridges 
 
¶2. (SBU) In addition to four bridges considered to be in need 
of repair or reconstruction -- Montrouis, Latheme, Chalon, 
and Ennery (ref A)-- there are other bridges, including 
several near Port-au-Prince (e.g., Tabarre, Grand Goave, 
Croix des Missions) that have been severely damaged and may 
be prone to collapse, especially if rains recommence. 
 
Roads 
 
¶3. (SBU) There are a number of secondary roads that are cut, 
isolating secondary towns and their populations.  Roads in 
the southern region that are affected include:  Cayes-Jacmel; 
Marigot; La Vallee- Bainet; Anse a Veau; and Petit Trou de 
Nippes.  (Note:  USAID notes the road problems are not 
limited to the southern region, but other areas as well.  End 
note.) 
 
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC WORKS NEEDS TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE 
--------------------------------------------- ------ 
 
¶4. (SBU) While TPTC has an assessment team, additional 
technical assistance is welcome.  TPTC was requested by 
donors to submit a needs assessment and formal request for 
assistance for review and consideration.  TPTC Engineering 
Unit Coordinator Garry Jean said the Government of Haiti 
(GOH) had available USD 30 million-equivalent in road- 
building equipment.  He added that availability of the 
equipment at the regional level, however, is a problem. 
 
DONOR RESPONSE 
-------------- 
 
¶5. (SBU) There was considerable discussion on whether 
''temporary'' or ''permanent'' bridge infrastructure would be 
needed.  There was later consensus that ''temporary'' (i.e., 
metal) bridges might be ideal, as they could last 10 years or 
more and until a longer-term solution to watershed management 
was found.  ''Permanent'' structures, on the other hand, 
would be costlier and not necessarily a permanent solution. 
 
¶6. (SBU) All of the donors present offered engineering 
assessment expertise -- approximately 15 experts.  However, 
no one present committed to funding bridge structures, etc. 
It was agreed that proper assessment and engineering are 
prerequisites and given the scope of the work to be done 
nationwide, including secondary vulnerabilities, assessment 
teams, in appropriate coordination with TPTC, could be of 
significant help. 
 
¶7. (SBU) The European Union and the Inter-American 
Development Bank are looking at re-programming their 
infrastructure funds and considering possible additional 
funds.  Due to the nature of their bilateral agreements with 
the GOH, the request would have to formally come from the 
GOH. 
 
¶8. (U) In order to better coordinate the assessment phase, 
all donors were invited to a meeting September 11 at the UN 
Mission for Stabilization in Haiti (MINUSTAH). 
SANDERSON