Challenges and Accomplishments
The January 12, 2010, earthquake in Haiti created an estimated 10 million cubic meters of rubble in 30 seconds―enough to fill dump trucks reaching from Key West, Fla., to Bangor, Maine, and back again if the trucks were parked bumper to bumper. Two years after the earthquake, significant progress has been made in removing the rubble to clear the way for reconstruction―an estimated 5 million cubic meters of rubble has been removed, or half of the total rubble produced by the earthquake.
Supporting the GOH in the Reconstruction Process
The USG is working in-line with the UNDP, which is supporting the GOH’s Ministry of Public Works, Transport and Communication (MTPTC) to develop a new rubble strategy. USAID partners are working closely with the MTPTC to ensure a coordinated rubble removal effort based on GOH priority areas.
Looking Ahead
While rubble has been removed from streets throughout earthquake-affected areas, rubble remains an impediment to the reconstruction process in difficult-to-reach, densely populated neighborhoods in Port-au-Prince. As a result, the international community has transitioned the focus of rubble removal to these areas. Notably, the USG is supporting this effort through $25 million provided to the multi-donor Haiti Reconstruction Fund. Use of this funding began in October 2011, and will continue to support critical projects for 18 months.