Overview of Social and Environmental Issues
Once known as "The Pearl of the Antilles," Haiti has the unfortunate distinction of being one of the most environmentally degraded and poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere. As a result of a long history of unsustainable land use practices and a continuing dependence on trees for fuel wood and charcoal, less than 2% of the country's original forests remain. This is primarily due to people's dependence on fuel wood and charcoal for their cooking and heating needs. Deforestation is causing a decline in soil fertility, extensive flooding, and depleted groundwater supplies. Recent hurricanes have caused major destruction, not only from their winds, but from raging currents of water racing down the bare slopes. Forested mountains are now bald and lush landscapes are being overtaken by desertification. Much of the land can no longer support human life.

Sadly, over 80% of the Haitian population lives in poverty and over 50% in abject poverty. The majority of people are unemployed and two-thirds of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. With the degrading environment, their livelihoods continue to be threatened with little relief in sight. Ineffectual and corrupt governments have made development slow and stagnant. Social instability has plagued the country for decades. Since 2006, the UN peacekeeping force has been able to bring relative peace to the troubled country, despite occasional flare ups. However, Haiti still requires strong support from international organizations and donors in order to maintain stability and strive towards development.

Our Response
Trees for the Future has been working in Haiti since early 2002 supporting projects throughout the country. Our program focuses on addressing the country and communities’ most urgent needs. Working with local farmers and farming groups, we are planting trees to reforest degraded hillsides, produce sustainable charcoal and fuel wood, construction materials, food, produce biodiesel, and establish intensive hillside farming practices. On the ground, Haiti program Coordinator, Timote Georges, and his team of 10 local technicians are working effortlessly with communities throughout the country in the face of continuing challenges.

Since 2008, we have set in motion a major program to reforest large portions of the Arcadine coast, particularly in the degraded mountains, les Chaines de Mattheux, in between Cabaret and St. Marc. Beginning in 2010, in partnership with the Yélé-Foundation, we expanded our program to communities further North to Gonaïves. The program, known as Yélé-Vert, has established a central nursery in Gonaïves and is working with communities in the surrounding mountains. In order to address immediate needs, TREES is implementing an agriculture program in which farmers are being trained in sustainable agriculture practices. They are receiving agriculture tools and seeds and have been able to produce significant amounts of food while developing the tree planting activities. Currently there are two TREES office and training centers – one in Gonaïves and the other in Leveque (Arcahaie).