Success Story

Rebuilding a Community After a Hurricane

Creating partnerships to rebuild a community destroyed by a natural disaster

Problem

In 1998, Hurricane Georges destroyed many homes and businesses in the Bayahibe tourist area on the southeast coast of the Dominican Republic. A group of displaced people decided to build their new homes in the environmentally vulnerable area close to  Parque del Este. Using materials from destroyed hotels, the group constructed their new houses above the major aquifer located right behind the beach hotels, thereby creating pollution and a health hazard for Bayahibe residents and visitors, as well as the local biosphere. The Bayahibe Hotel Association was concerned about the potential for contamination of the beaches and water system given the lack of water and sewage systems in the new settlement. 

USAID intervention

USAID joined forces with the Bayahibe Hotel Association, the U.S. NGO National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), and the Dominican National Housing Agency to form the Hurricane Georges Reconstruction Program and to build 150 houses for the displaced persons living above the aquifer.  The hotel association contributed the land in a better area for a community, the housing agency paid for the water and sewage system, NRECA installed electric lines, and USAID built the houses, a true partnership.  In addition, through its “clean production grants” program, USAID recently partnered with the Dominican Institute for Integrated Development to convert the newly protected aquifer area into an ecotourism park. This new park is contributing new jobs and tourism diversity for Bayahibe. The Hotel Association and USAID worked with the Ministry of Environment to make the area part of Parque del Este and thus asure its protection in the future.

Results

The residents of the rebuilt community called it Padre Nuestro. After its inauguration the women created an association and began working closely with the Bayahibe Hotel Association. Together, they built a community center and a health clinic. The community center is used as a primary school and as an artisan vocational training site. Currently the women’s association and a recently created men’s association, are conducting adult literacy programs and building a new high school, with the help of the Hotel Association. The inhabitants of this new community now live in a much healthier environment, with adequate houses, piped water, and electricity. At the same time, they are learning a new concept of living together with the local business community, respecting each-others’ rights, and taking responsibility for their own development. The Bayahibe Hotel Association won environmental certifications called, Green Globe and Blue Flag, and contributed to improving the lives of its workers.