Caterpillar Foundation donation to help clean up Port-au-Prince

More than 150,000 people in Haiti’s most impoverished slum will benefit from a massive drainage canal clean-up project thanks to a donation by the Caterpillar Foundation, the Pan American Development Foundation announced.

Nearly 1,200 residents of the Port-au-Prince slum of Cite Soleil will be hired to clean 50 percent of the canals that are choked with trash and earthquake rubble through a $500,000 grant from the Caterpillar Foundation, the philanthropic arm of heavy equipment manufacturer Caterpillar Inc.

"This generous donation by the Caterpillar Foundation will play a significant role in putting Haitians to work and improving their neighborhoods," said John Sanbrailo, PADF's executive director. "Seven months after the devastating 7.0 earthquake, Haitians still need help to rebuild their country."

In addition to earthquake recovery, clearing the 18 kilometers of drainage canals will be crucial in preventing floods that plague the area. Forecasters are predicting that the current hurricane season may be one of the worst in years. Two years ago, more than 800 Haitians throughout the country died when four back-to-back tropical storms and hurricanes struck the island.

"We are confident that this ambitious project will lay the groundwork for future infrastructure rebuilding projects and improve the overall living conditions for Haitians in and around the poorest area of Port-au-Prince," said Jim Parker, Caterpillar vice president with responsibility for Americas Distribution and PADF Board Member.

More information can be found here.