In fact, the issue of housing, which is one of the crucial problems of our society, can be linked mainly to the absence of public policies in different spheres. The state has totally abandoned the populations of the provincial towns and rural areas where people live in unspeakable poverty. This explains in large part the rural exodus and the waves of emigration and internal migration, with people cramming into Port-au-Prince, endangering their lives in ajoupas built in areas at high risk for flooding, mudslides, (ravines, the coast, etc.).

From 1982 to January 2010, the population of Port-au-Prince grew from two hundred fifty thousand (250,000) to about three million (3,000,000). This represents 1/3 of the population of Haiti, hence the hyper-concentration of the Haitian capital. The POHDH believes that the Haitian state has a social debt toward this population, which is to guarantee people access to decent and safe housing.

In terms of construction, the situation is one of total disorder. People very often erect their homes themselves in any place and by any means, and without any training in the field. The constructed environment is largely characterized by anarchical structures erected without taking into account the various risks to which the country is exposed. This is, of course, linked to the absence of education policies in the sphere of building and public housing. The Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH) is quick to point out that 86% of the buildings destroyed by the earthquake of January 12 date from between 1990 and 2010. Despite this, many people persist in rebuilding under the same conditions, without any respect for standards.

Recommendations

The POHDH believes that the right to housing is a fundamental right, which follows from the obligation of the state and the government. Taking this into account, the Platform offers the following recommendations:

Define a public housing policy. This is a true social debt toward the population, particularly toward those who are forced to migrate for numerous reasons.

• Construct a geological map with a view to determining the types of buildings appropriate for each area.

• Equip all towns with necessary infrastructure, create work across the country so as to curb internal migration and rural exodus;

• Take immediate measures to prohibit the reconstruction of buildings in certain areas of the metropolitan region;

• Organize training workshops for civil engineers and Haitian workers in the building sector so that construction and reconstruction is performed by experts.

• Conduct education and awareness programs on construction and the various natural phenomena to which the country is exposed;

• Apply the Haitian Constitution of 1987 with regard to social services, including housing, education, nourishment, health and leisure activities;

• Ratify and implement the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR).

Antonal MORTIME
Executive Secretary
Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH)
1, Rue Monjoli, Turgeau, Port-au-Prince, Haiti, w.i
Tels.: 509 29 40 45 69, 25 14 0650
Cels.: 509 35 50 90 69, 37 15 72 99
Email:antonalhd@yahoo.fr, pohdh@yahoo.fr
Web site: www.pohdh-haiti.org

Platform of Haitian Human Rights Organizations (POHDH)