PORT-DE-PAIX—The capital of Haiti’s Northwest department, Port-de-Paix, has been severely impacted by flash floods following torrential rains over the weekend. The downpours, beginning on Saturday and intensifying into Sunday night, have left more than 300 homes flooded, exacerbating already challenging conditions for the coastal city’s over 300,000 residents, as a local Civil Protection Office worker reported.
Residents have expressed frustration over the lack of support from local authorities as they contend with flooded homes and streets obstructed by mud and debris, disrupting their daily lives.
“In the city, we are left behind,” Pierla Bazile told The Haitian Times. “We do not have leaders to help us.”
Bazile criticized the government for its lack of proactive measures, leaving families to fend for themselves during natural disasters. “They know it’s hurricane season from June to November, yet they haven’t planned to prevent damages and lost lives,” she added.
“My family and I spent a sleepless night, and this situation is the same for other residents in the lower part of the city due to the overflowing, uncleaned canals.”
This recurring issue affects many areas in Port-de-Paix, including Cassave, Cité Maxo, Latendrie, Camp d’Aviation, Rue Dumais Estimé, Démelus, Zakari, La Coupe, and La Belle Place.
“Every time it rains, our streets and houses are flooded with water from the overflowing canals. We’re used to this situation, and it remains unchanged,” said Dabens Aristide. “Only the goodwill of the authorities or humanitarian organizations may bring relief.”
Government’s response
Despite acknowledging the residents’ dire situation, city officials have not yet initiated efforts to alleviate the crisis.
“We are in communication with residents in various vulnerable areas and continue to provide safety tips for the hurricane season, which will continue to bring flash floods,” said City Manager Guyno Norvilus. “Our work equipment has been broken for several months, yet we are using other means to perform necessary work in the city.”
Norvilus mentioned collaborations with grassroots organizations like the Cassave Citizens’ Solidarity Movement (MSCC). However, some residents dispute these claims.
“The authorities are lying,” Rodly Sainvil, from the Démelus quarter, said.
“Seven years have passed since our largest canal was last cleaned. We’ve mobilized our meager resources many times for cleaning, but the problem persists due to insufficient means and help from the government.”
Port-de-Paix residents are calling for assistance from Port-au-Prince. However, the transitional government, led by Prime Minister Garry Conille, has yet to respond to the city’s urgent needs.
The Haitian Times has contacted the General Directorate of Civil Protection in the Haitian capital for comments. Still, its director general, Emmanuel Pierre, reported that he had not been informed about the flood situation in Port-de-Paix.
“Our primary duty is to serve the Haitian population without hesitation,” Pierre said. “However, we have not received any reports from department officials about flooding,” he added, noting that the central government relies on information from regional representatives for timely and appropriate responses.
Pierre assured that a budget for disaster relief is in place for the fiscal year 2023-2024 to assist affected individuals. “We have plans in place for the hurricane season, including prepositioning goods and materials for emergency responses and conducting mitigation work in vulnerable municipalities,” he said.
Pierre confirmed approval from Prime Minister Conille and Minister of Economy and Finance Ketleen Florestal to purchase vehicles and equipment and replenish depots in each department with goods for emergency assistance. “This will enable us to facilitate the movement of people during emergencies and provide them with temporary shelter,” he reassured.
As Port-de-Paix continues to face challenges from heavy rains, the need for comprehensive disaster preparedness and better-coordinated responses remains critical.
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