Haiti Technical Guide for Debris Management

Haiti Technical Guide for Debris Management

July 24, 2017

On January 12, 2010, a devastating earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale struck Haiti.  The destruction of buildings and infrastructure generated large amount of debris, estimated at 10 million cubic meters, blocking streets and land in affected areas, hindering relief, recovery and reconstruction activities.

 

The Haiti joint UN Debris Management Projects (the Debris Léogâne project and the Debris I and Debris II projects in Port-au-Prince) were aimed at contributing to the post-earthquake rehabilitation process through the implementation of a debris management strategy encompassing a system of community planning, demolition, debris removal, transportation, recycling and reutilization of debris  of in the rehabilitation of community infrastructures. 

 

The following guide shares, based on the experience acquired in Haiti, the main programmatic, technical and operational considerations for the implementation of a debris management programme, including lessons learned and practical recommendations, while contributing to provide an improved response if a similar disaster occurs.

Key Results

  • More than 1,000,000 cubic meters of debris removed
  • 90 percent of Haitian labor utilized
  • More than 36,000 temporary jobs created, including 14,498 assigned to women (39.7 percent)
  • A participatory and inclusive approach, including social mobilization and engaging communities through all the phases of debris management
  • 4 participatory urban diagnostics and master plans covering 9 neighborhoods and creation of 6 community platforms
  • Reactivation of the local economy through the creation and support of small and micro-enterprises 
  • Neighborhood rehabilitation, including public squares, paved corridors, construction of retaining walls and stairways, utilizing recycled debris
  • Creation of strategic partnerships with central and local governments, NGOs and the private sector.