Press Release
July 21, 2023 • 2 min read
The Ambassador of the European Union, Stefano Gatto, visited the town of Jérémie, Grand'Anse Department, Haiti, marking the successful conclusion of the Urban Resilience Project supported by the European Union. This project is implemented by GOAL in partnership with ActionAid and Fonkoze, in collaboration with Expertise France, the Mairie de Jérémie, and the Jeremie Kabel organisation.
The visit provided an opportunity to highlight the success of the project in strengthening the resilience of urban communities, thanks to the joint commitment of international and local partners, and the European Union. The Urban Resilience Project, initiated in 2018, aims to strengthen the capacity of urban communities to cope with complex challenges such as natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and the effects of climate change. Through a holistic and participatory approach, the project worked to improve infrastructure, strengthen local skills, promote inter-institutional coordination, and foster community awareness.
During his visit, Ambassador Stefano Gatto met with representatives of local authorities, project beneficiaries and implementing partners, expressing his satisfaction with the achievements made during this period. He underlined the continued commitment of the European Union to support humanitarian and development initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life of the most vulnerable urban populations in Haiti.
GOAL Haiti Country Director, Phil Gelman, with the Ambassador of the European Union to Haiti, Stefano Gatto
During the visit, significant achievements were highlighted, including:
- The construction of new resilient infrastructure, such as water supply networks and improved drainage systems in public spaces, which have reduced the impact of natural disasters and strengthened the resilience of assisted communities;
- Training and capacity building of local actors for better management of emergency situations and effective long-term planning. This was done through the production of the ‘Development, Extension and Beautification of the City’ (PAEEV) plan, which will guide the urban development of the city of Jérémie for the next 10-15 years;
- The establishment of coordination mechanisms between local institutions and humanitarian organisations;
- Community awareness campaigns, aimed at promoting a culture of prevention and building collective resilience.
A drainage system constructed under GOAL’s urban resilience project in Jérémie
Ambassador Stefano Gatto expressed his gratitude to all actors involved, including local authorities, non-governmental organisations and beneficiaries, for their commitment and cooperation in the implementation of the Urban Resilience Project. He also reiterated the continued commitment of the European Union to support development initiatives aimed at promoting the sustainable development and resilience of communities around the world.
The success of this Urban Resilience Project demonstrates the importance of international cooperation and commitment to the well-being of the most vulnerable urban populations. The European Union will continue to play a key role in promoting urban resilience and protecting fundamental rights for all.
