Interrupted Progress: Water and Sanitation in Haiti

Author

Emily Bauer, University of Southern MaineFollow

Date

Spring 2019

Document Type

Poster Session

Department

Muskie School of Public Service

Advisor

Brenda Joly PhD

Keywords

sanitation, water, water improvement, Haiti

Abstract

Haiti has faced damaging environmental and social impacts, which have interrupted progress towards clean drinking water and adequate sanitation facilities for its over 10 million people. Natural disasters, disease outbreak, political corruption and economic instability have contributed to poor health and social outcomes for the small, island nation. This study used the most recent data from the World Health Organization and United Nations Children’s Fund Joint Monitoring Programme (WHO/UNICEF JMP) to assess national trends in water source and sanitation facility improvements from 1990-2015. WHO/UNICEF JMP defines water improvements as piped or non-piped protected water, and sanitation improvements as networked, flushed or on-site toilets connected to septic systems. Of the national data collected by the JMP, Haiti experienced interrupted improvement in water sources and sanitation facilities. For both urban and rural regions of the country, 69% had improved water sources in 2010, but improvements declined to 64% in 2015. Sanitation improvements dropped to 17% from 2000-2010 but grew to 31% in 2015. Water has improved since 1990 at 62%, but sanitation has made little progress from 18%. Recent interruptions are likely linked to the 7.0 magnitude earthquake and foreign-borne cholera outbreak of 2010. The results of this study demonstrate the need for significant water and sanitation investments for universal access to clean water and adequate sanitation in rural and urban regions of Haiti.

Start Date

4-19-2019 10:30 AM

Recommended Citation

Bauer, Emily, "Interrupted Progress: Water and Sanitation in Haiti" (2019). Thinking Matters Symposium Archive. 182.
https://digitalcommons.usm.maine.edu/thinking_matters/182