La multiplication des catastrophes en Haïti peut-elle déboucher sur la diffusion de modèles d’habitats plus adaptés et ainsi renforcer la résilience ?

Since 2010, Haiti has been subject to many hazards. Earthquakes and cyclones have all caused significant damage to the building. However, in 2010, the observation of the impact of the earthquake had made it possible to make a clear distinction between the construction typologies. Not all had killed, not all had been completely destroyed, and some, although rather modest in appearance, had behaved well despite the intensity of the shock. Research carried out on these housing typologies, based on the use of timber-frame construction systems and “fillings” with locally available materials, led to original reconstruction proposals, promoting these ancient local practices. Those, met with reluctance in the Haitian development community, considered backward-looking. However, as soon as the first prototype was built, the potential advantages of the approach were understood. In addition, structural calculations later on followed by laboratory and shaking-table tests allowed recognition and certification by the MTPTC. The model could be disseminated with various variants, in particular by the NGO platform PADED. During the passage of hurricanes Irma and Matthew, these newly built habitats behaved rather well. Thus, other integrated organisations started participating in the dissemination of the concept of TCLA (Improved Local Construction Techniques). Most of the achievements having been made in the West and South of the country, many of them suffered the earthquake of August 14, 2021. This was a real-life test whose results appeared rather eloquent. As a result, at the end of August 2021, the Shelter Working Group produced an orientation document which mentioned the interest of the TCLA approach, because beyond the para-disaster performance it allows self-help and self-recovery at the local level, and on the long term. Does all this means that, like has already been observed in other regions of the world, the recent repetition of disasters will lead to a radical change in the culture of risk in Haiti? Could this new situation ultimately lead to better adaptation of housing solutions to the capacities and means of the Haitian populations, and better consideration of natural hazards with, ultimately, more resilience?