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FM AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE
TO RUCNDT/USMISSION USUN NEW YORK IMMEDIATE 0128
RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 0356
RUEHGV/USMISSION GENEVA IMMEDIATE
INFO HAITI COLLECTIVE IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/HQ USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL IMMEDIATE
RHMFISS/JOINT STAFF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHDG/AMEMBASSY SANTO DOMINGO IMMEDIATE
RUEKJCS/SECDEF WASHINGTON DC IMMEDIATE
RUEHPU/AMEMBASSY PORT AU PRINCE

UNCLAS PORT AU PRINCE 000162 
 
AIDAC 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EAID ECON PGOV PINR PREL PREF HA
SUBJECT: USAID/DART HAITI EARTHQUAKE WATER, SANITATION, AND HYGIENE 
UPDATE 
 
REF: PORT A 0076 
 
¶1.  Summary.  Humanitarian agencies in Haiti have significantly 
scaled up sanitation response activities in recent weeks; however, 
sanitation needs, particularly within Port-au-Prince settlement 
sites, remain urgent and challenging.  On February 11, the U.N. 
Children's Fund (UNICEF) released the Water, Sanitation, and 
Hygiene (WASH) Cluster strategy for acceleration of latrine 
construction, estimating a total need for 18,000 to 22,000 latrines 
throughout earthquake-affected areas of Haiti.  Based upon the WASH 
Cluster strategy, USAID Disaster Assistance Response Team 
(USAID/DART) WASH advisors have developed an action plan to further 
guide USAID's Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance 
(USAID/OFDA) WASH programming in the immediate, medium, and 
long-term.  The plan comprises continued construction of trench 
latrines, short-term rental of portable toilets and desludging 
trucks, and purchase of portable latrines and desludging trucks. 
USAID/OFDA plans to purchase 3,000 portable toilets and 20 
desludging trucks in order to meet urgent sanitation needs in 
locations where trench latrines are unviable.  USAID/OFDA also 
plans to provide an additional $2.5 million to UNICEF for portable 
latrine operations, maintenance, and management. 
 
 
 
¶2.  To improve data regarding remaining WASH gaps, USAID/DART staff 
have developed a survey to support a 10-day, Oxfam and 
UNICEF-supported WASH Cluster assessment of 200 to 300 settlement 
sites within Port-au-Prince and immediate surrounding areas, which 
is scheduled to commence on February 16.  In addition, WASH Cluster 
partners continue to improve water treatment and develop plans for 
water quality monitoring to mitigate the risk of water-borne 
diseases.  Addressing WASH concerns is an urgent priority prior to 
the rainy season and hurricane season in early April and June, 
respectively.  End summary. 
 
 
 
-------------------- 
 
WASH EFFORTS TO DATE 
 
-------------------- 
 
 
 
¶3.  In the immediate aftermath of the earthquake, water needs 
emerged as the highest priority for WASH partners, with most WASH 
Cluster agencies focusing on water delivery during the first two 
weeks of the response.  The coordinated water operation met the 
immediate water requirements of approximately 1.1 million 
individuals, significantly reducing the potential for water-borne 
disease outbreaks in settlement sites.  While water treatment and 
delivery remains ongoing, USAID/DART WASH advisors emphasize 
increased sanitation coverage through latrine construction and/or 
installation as the predominant challenge for the coming weeks. 
 
 
 
¶4.  To date, humanitarian agencies have reported the construction 
of more than 1,200 trench latrines throughout earthquake-affected 
areas; however, the USAID/DART notes that the number of latrines 
constructed to date is likely underreported.  The WASH Cluster is 
currently compiling latrine construction reports from WASH Cluster 
partners, with additional details forthcoming.  To date, the WASH 
Cluster lacks a clear and comprehensive picture of water and 
sanitation conditions in Port-au-Prince settlement sites.  To 
improve data regarding remaining WASH gaps, USAID/DART staff have 
developed an assessment tool as part of a 10-day WASH Cluster 
assessment of 200 to 300 settlement sites within Port-au-Prince and 
immediate surrounding areas, which is scheduled to commence on 
February 16.  A USAID/DART WASH advisor is conducting training for 
the surveyors on February 15.  The Government of Haiti (GoH) 
National Direction for Potable Water and Sanitation (DINEPA), 
UNICEF, Oxfam, the USAID/DART, and the U.S. Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention will participate in the assessment. 
 
 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
EMERGENCY SANITATION ACTION PLAN: 
 
 
TRENCH LATRINES PRIORITIZED 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶5.  The WASH Sanitation working group has identified an estimated 1 
million individuals in need of emergency sanitation assistance, 
necessitating the construction or installation of an estimated 
18,000 additional latrines throughout Haiti, including 9,000 
latrines in Port-au-Prince and 9,000 latrines outside 
Port-au-Prince.  (Note: USAID/DART WASH advisors report that the 
estimated latrine need outside Port-au-Prince is based upon 
preliminary U.N. estimates of individuals requiring shelter and is 
likely somewhat inflated, as shelter needs likely exceed latrine 
requirements outside Port-au-Prince. End note).  The immediate goal 
will be to provide one latrine per 100 people, an initial target 
below Sphere standards due to the difficulty of providing service 
at many sites.  WASH Cluster partners aim to increase the number of 
latrines until a rate of 50 people per latrine is achieved. 
Wherever possible, WASH Cluster partners will continue to construct 
or install latrines until a goal of 20 people per latrine is 
reached. 
 
 
 
¶6. WASH Cluster members expect trench latrines to serve sanitation 
needs outside Port-au-Prince, with possible exception of some areas 
of Leogane, as sufficient space and less sensitive land issues 
permit trench latrine construction in most locations.  The WASH 
Cluster sanitation working group plans to construct 9,000 trench 
latrines outside of Port-au-Prince and 4,500 trench latrines within 
Port-au-Prince.  Where possible, USAID/DART WASH advisors emphasize 
the importance of prioritizing trench latrine construction in 
settlement sites, given the high cost, heavy management burden, and 
unsustainability of portable toilets and desludging trucks.  WASH 
Cluster members expect to complete construction of most trench 
latrines in the next few weeks, with the goal of completing all 
trench latrines before the onset of the rainy season in early 
April. 
 
 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
EMERGENCY SANITATION ACTION PLAN: 
 
PORTABLE LATRINES WHERE NECESSARY 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶7.  Trench latrine construction is not possible in all locations 
due to landowner sensitivity, prevalence of concrete surfaces, and 
overcrowding, particularly in densely populated sites within 
Port-au-Prince.  While humanitarian agencies did not prioritize 
portable toilets at the onset of the emergency due to the heavy 
management burden, high expense, and disposal issues, USAID/DART 
WASH advisors have identified provision of portable latrine 
facilities and desludging service as the only viable option for 
sanitation support in locations where trench latrine construction 
is unviable.  WASH Cluster partners estimate a need for 4,500 
portable toilets and 40 desludging trucks to serve Port-au-Prince 
settlement sites deemed unsuitable or too sensitive for trench 
latrine construction.  USAID/DART WASH advisors note that many of 
the portable toilet and desludging facilities currently in 
Port-au-Prince are serving the U.N. Stabilization Mission in Haiti 
(MINUSTAH) and U.S. military presence, leaving little local 
capacity for portable latrine installation in settlement sites. 
 
 
 
¶8.  UNICEF has purchased 500 portable toilets to serve 
Port-au-Prince settlement sites, which are expected to arrive in 
approximately four to six weeks.  In addition, USAID/OFDA plans to 
purchase an additional 3,000 portable latrines for immediate 
transport to Port-au-Prince and consignment to UNICEF.  (Note: 
UNICEF and partner non-governmental organizations (NGOs) would 
manage the trucks and operations for a period of time until DINEPA 
has gained the capacity to manage the operation.  End note.)  The 
 
 
USAID/DART has also coordinated with the Clinton Foundation, which 
will be supplying the remaining need for 1,000 portable latrines. 
USAID/OFDA plans to provide an additional $2.5 million to UNICEF 
for portable latrine operations, maintenance, and management.  In 
addition, CARE is working to construct latrines with sewage holding 
tanks in locations where digging for trench latrines is 
impractical.  These latrines will also require desludging service. 
Of the 40 desludging trucks required to service portable latrines, 
several organizations, including UNICEF, the International 
Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), CARE, 
and Oxfam, have purchased 19 trucks, and USAID/OFDA plans to 
procure an additional 20 trucks of various sizes to help meet the 
requirement, with smaller trucks planned for sites with constrained 
road access. 
 
 
 
¶9.  The USAID/DART notes that an interim solution is necessary to 
provide sanitation support in the four- to six-week period before 
the purchased trucks and portable latrines arrive.  USAID/DART WASH 
advisors have identified portable toilet and desludging truck 
rental from the Dominican Republic as a potential solution to serve 
some sanitation needs in the short-term.  NGOs Catholic Relief 
Services and Action Contre La Faim are currently renting 400 
portable latrines, and UNICEF plans to rent 1,000 latrines 
beginning in mid- to late February. 
 
 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
ADDITIONAL WASTE DISPOSAL CAPACITY NEEDED 
 
----------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶10.  USAID/DART WASH advisors report that Haiti lacks adequate 
wastewater disposal facilities, with desludging trucks currently 
dumping waste into an uncontrolled site adjacent to a wetlands area 
outside Port-au-Prince.  According to the USAID/DART, the site 
poses possible environmental threats and, if flooded during the 
rainy season, could potentially contaminate water flowing through 
inhabited portions of Port-au-Prince.  Improved disposal sites will 
be necessary to manage portable latrine waste. 
 
 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
ONGOING HYGIENE PROMOTION, WATER 
 
TREATMENT AND MONITORING CRITICAL 
 
--------------------------------- 
 
 
 
¶11.  In addition, intensive hygiene promotion campaigns, continued 
water provision and treatment, and latrine maintenance through 
local sanitation committees will be necessary in 
difficult-to-service sites while latrine coverage remains low or 
non-existent.  In sites where latrines will not be available, 
USAID/DART WASH advisors note the importance of ensuring that water 
is chlorinated; providing adequate water and facilities for 
handwashing and bathing; instituting hygiene promotion activities; 
establishing mechanisms for trash pick-up and settlement site 
maintenance; and ensuring that open defecation occurs as far away 
as possible from locations where people live and cook. 
 
 
 
¶12.  In locations where trench latrines are available but 
inadequate to meet demand, the USAID/DART recommends community 
mobilization and establishment of settlement site committees to 
manage sanitation infrastructure.  The WASH Cluster has determined 
that NGOs should utilize cash-for-work interventions or direct 
payments to ensure cleanliness of sanitary facilities.  In 
addition, due to high latrine usage in these locations, NGOs must 
prepare to either replace latrines more frequently or develop 
methods to pump waste from the trenches. 
 
 
¶13.  USAID/DART WASH advisors have observed proper hygiene 
practices in settlement sites visited but note that additional 
hygiene promotion activities could target high-risk locations or 
areas with emerging sanitation-related health concerns.  Health 
surveillance data, which should be available soon, would assist in 
identification of high-risk locations. 
 
 
 
¶14.  WASH Cluster partners continue to improve water treatment 
systems and plan water monitoring mechanisms to mitigate the risk 
of water-borne diseases.  During a February 11 water quality 
meeting, DINEPA reported that the cluster is working to ensure that 
all tankered and piped water is treated and that beneficiaries 
would receive water purification tablets to further treat water 
distributed by private companies to kiosks.  According to DINEPA, 
water provided through the GoH Centrale Autonome M????tropolitaine 
d'Eau Potable (CAMEP) network in Port-au-Prince will be chlorinated 
in the coming weeks.  In addition, DINEPA presented an initial 
water quality monitoring plan for Port-au-Prince, which includes 
monitoring for residual chlorine in the distribution network and 
bladders at settlement site locations, microbiological testing of 
all water provided at private kiosks, and development of a baseline 
set of chemical and microbiological tests of wells and springs. 
DINEPA proposes that the monitoring program include testing of 
small number of household water samples each week to provide 
evidence of water quality at the point of consumption.  In 
addition, the WASH Cluster water quality working group has agreed 
to prioritize water quality monitoring of boreholes in and around 
Leogane.  Microbiological testing will be conducted with the 
assistance of the German Federal Agency for Technical Relief (THW), 
which operates portable laboratories in Port-au-Prince and Leogane. 
 
 
 
---------- 
 
CONCLUSION 
 
---------- 
 
 
 
¶15.  Following the rapid provision of safe drinking water for 
earthquake-affected populations, providing sanitation services has 
proven a significant challenge, particularly in densely populated 
sites in Port-au-Prince.  WASH Cluster partners have gained 
capacity to address sanitation concerns in recent weeks and 
continue to improve water treatment and monitoring systems to 
mitigate the risk of water-borne diseases.  The USAID/DART 
continues to emphasize trench latrine construction, where possible, 
but recognizes the necessity of portable latrine installation, as 
well as intensive hygiene promotion activities, in certain 
difficult-to-serve locations. 
 
 
 
¶16.  To date, USAID/OFDA has provided nearly $9.5 million for WASH 
interventions in earthquake-affected areas of Haiti and plans to 
provide an additional $2.5 million, bringing total committed or 
planned WASH assistance to nearly $12 million.  USAID/OFDA has also 
delivered 74,208 hygiene kits, 111,600 water containers, and 22 
water bladders, valued at a total of more than $900,000, to support 
the WASH needs of at least 371,000 beneficiaries.  In addition, 
USAID/DART WASH advisors continue to provide significant technical 
expertise in support of WASH Cluster efforts, including the 
upcoming WASH assessment of 200 to 300 Port-au-Prince settlement 
sites.  The assessment will provide a clearer picture of remaining 
needs and inform future WASH priorities. 
 
 
 
 
 
MINIMIZE CONSIDERED 
LINDWALL