Norwegian Ambassador Ingrid Mollestad has reiterated her country’s commitment to supporting green recovery and environmental rehabilitation efforts in the Grand Sud region of Haiti during a visit organised by UN Environment and the International Labor Organisation.

The Ambassador visited UN Environment projects that are having a significant impact on local livelihoods and environmental recovery in the region, which was heavily affected by Hurricane Matthew.

During the visit, which took place from 25-31 March, the delegation saw how their support of environmental recovery initiatives is building resilience of communities. The creation of green jobs tied to the promotion of good environmental practices is strengthening local capacities to mitigate disasters in the country.

“After Matthew, the population in the South of Haiti is experiencing a decisive period. Environmental and economic resilience must go hand in hand. Green recovery is and will continue to be at the heart of Norway's response," the Ambassador declared.

One UN Environment project visited was in the Pointe Abacou Marine Protected Area, where locals are working in coastal reforestation, apiculture around mangroves, and boat rehabilitation; strategies that are building the economic resilience of the community and also reducing stress on mangroves.

The mission also visited the first electric cooperative of Haiti that uses solar power - the Coteaux Electricity Co-operative - where they witnessed efforts to re-connect communities to green energy sources.

The final visit took place at Port-à-Piment to see a successful project funded by Norway that promotes good environmental management in the agricultural sector. This project is changing peoples’ lives by associating green jobs to training, occupational safety and the rehabilitation of natural ecosystem.

Overall, the mission highlighted how combining efforts can contribute to creating a resilient future.

Find out more about UN Environment’s work in Haiti by clicking here, or for further information contact sophie.brown@unep.org