Imagine a day without a toilet. Now, envision a lifetime. In Haiti, this is the daily situation for over a third of the population, who are living without access to even the most basic sanitation services, with a similar percentage resorting to open defecation. This situation breeds disease, damages the environment, and hampers economic growth. Now imagine you can handle an affordable and comfortable toilet for this family. A path to this transformational journey involves establishing meaningful partnerships to exploring new and effective methods to expand and improve sanitation coverage.
The Pan American Development Foundation (PADF), in partnership with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Financing Climate-resilient Sanitation Systems and Services (SANIFIN) program, is determined to shift the narrative in Haiti from neglect to progress. One of the ways SANIFIN will do this is by leveraging a collaboration with suppliers such as the Innovation for Good by Kohler Company to address the urgent need for better sanitation.
On January 11th, PADF and the Innovation for Good by Kohler Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking a significant step towards addressing sanitation needs in the region. This agreement aims to merge Innovation for Good by Kohler’s innovative sanitation solutions with PADF’s extensive regional expertise, focusing on both affordability and sustainability. This alliance transcends the provision of toilets; it represents a commitment to utilizing private sector solutions to meet public challenges. By incorporating Innovation for Good’s advanced sanitation products, this partnership addresses the critical issue of limited sanitation facilities in Haiti, a situation that has been exacerbated by a series of natural and human-made disasters.
Innovation for Good by Kohler’s pioneering solutions
This MOU is not just a formal agreement; it represents a pivotal shift towards actionable solutions in Haiti’s sanitation crisis. Innovation for Good by Kohler’s commitment to testing their innovative sanitation products in Haiti, in collaboration with SANIFIN, is important, especially for low-income communities living along the coastline and in other vulnerable areas in Haiti. SANIFIN will support Innovation for Good by Kohler to test their product with hundreds of households and including involvement of local sanitation services providers. The results will contribute to defining scalable solutions.
This partnership goes beyond providing basic sanitation; it’s about bringing tailored, sustainable solutions to those who need them most. Through this collaboration, Innovation for Good by Kohler’s advanced sanitation technologies will be adapted to meet Haiti’s unique challenges, and with coordination from USAID and PADF, these solutions will not only be effective but also culturally and environmentally suitable. The MOU signifies hope for a future where improved sanitation facilities become a reality, reducing health risks, protecting the environment, and contributing to Haiti’s overall socioeconomic development.
For detailed information on Innovation for Good by Kohler’s products:
Published on March 22, 2024.
Cédrelle Alexis Jean Louis
Country Director – Haiti
Email: connect@padf.org
