John O’Reilly, CEO of Greenbelt visited Haiti for the first time in August with Maurice Ryan, on his second visit...

With the contacts developed through the Soul of Haiti foundation, we were introduced to very influential people within the financialand agricultural sectors, including the Haitian Minister for Agriculture, as well as former US president, Bill Clinton, who needed no introduction.

We discussed the problems in Haiti, and the possible solutions that could be achieved. Very realistic goals and targets were established, with a view to completion in a realistic timeframe. The camaraderie is fantastic.

With only 1% forestry cover in a country that used to enjoy over 60%cover, the need for a structured, long term afforestation and reforestation program in Haiti is essential. 1.600m3 of top soil per hectare is being washed away each year during the rainy season. With no trees or vegetation to hold the soil, there is no protection against the elements.

Greenbelt are in the process of developing an advanced tree nursery in Port au Prince (PaP), with a view to providing trees to existing forestry projects in Haiti being run by NGO’s. In time, Greenbelt will develop plantations with local landowners and local labour. We will focus on growing timber suitable for charcoal production, in areas best suited to it. In other areas, farmers will be encouraged to move away from less profitable, and more damaging, agricultural practices and instead, develop forestry plantations, earning a per annum income from the trees and fruit as they grow.

It is a very tough time for Haitians as they seek to rise above the degradation of their country, capped most recently by the devastating earthquake in January 2010. The desire from the natives to be a great nation again is evident and a solid, structured foundation for them to launch from is the next step. This is the aim of Greenbelt in Haiti.