The World Bank’s Board of Executive Directors has approved a new investment to improve resilient rural access and road connectivity across Haiti’s South and North departments. The project targets key transport corridors, including National Road 2 between Les Cayes, Saint-Louis du Sud and Port de Saint-Louis du Sud, as well as the section of Departmental Road 41 (Sud-Est) linking Ouanaminthe with the Dominican Republic border.
“The Haiti Resilient Corridors Project aims to support the decentralization of the country’s logistics and supply chain through the development of key road corridors for the national economy. The initiative seeks to establish suitable, integrated, and well-maintained transport infrastructure to foster territorial development. The project will facilitate connections between the populations served and basic social services, including health, education, and livelihoods,” said Raphael Hosty, Minister of Public Works, Transportation, and Communications. “We want to thank our partners, including the World Bank, which is providing fundamental support in the construction and rehabilitation of primary and secondary infrastructure to revitalize the local economy.”
“Haiti’s exposure to natural hazards, coupled with vulnerable infrastructure, and a high level of environmental degradation constitute fragility drivers that can deepen poverty in the country,” said Anne-Lucie Lefebvre, World Bank Country Manager for Haiti. “Investment in road infrastructure is fundamental to build resilience, generate sustainable jobs and maximize access to basic services.”
Haiti continues to face intense rainfall, hurricanes, flooding, landslides and storm surges that frequently cut off communities, particularly during the rainy season. Women are especially vulnerable during these periods, facing higher risks of harassment, assault and robbery in public transport settings, which limits their access to essential services and economic opportunities.
The US$80 million Haiti Resilient Corridors Project will restore and upgrade critical bridges, including La Digue, Côte-de-Fer and Mahot, along with vital culverts, helping secure the main arteries that connect rural communities. It will also improve rural road links to create a more resilient and reliable network. The initiative includes support for the Ministry of Public Works, Transport, and Communications to strengthen its capacity to respond to geological and climate hazards, including through the replenishment of emergency bridge stocks.
Additional investments will focus on protecting and rehabilitating existing infrastructure to help the network withstand climate change and extreme weather. In some of the most vulnerable areas across the South, Nippes, Grand’Anse and Sud-Est departments, the project will rehabilitate and upgrade 100 kilometres of tertiary and rural roads, targeting spots most susceptible to disruption during the rainy season.
The project is expected to benefit nearly 2.9 million people by improving access to reliable transport infrastructure and services. It will also generate around 300,000 days of direct employment for the local workforce. Women’s participation in the transport construction sector will be encouraged through training in heavy machinery operation, road construction and maintenance. Capacity building for ministry staff and construction companies is also included.
The project is financed through the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA), which provides grants and zero to low-interest loans to help countries reduce inequality, drive economic growth and improve living standards.
