Santo Domingo, 15 sep (EFE).-A working arrangement between several institutions and agencies Dominican Republic and Haiti has enabled nearly 14,000 people in both countries have had access to safe drinking water and other 450,000 received training on their preservation and best use, as reported today.

Convention “Water for development”, that runs from 2008 and will be extended until next year, comprises seriously depressed communities near the border between the two Caribbean Nations and a third stage reaches several neighborhoods of municipality Santo Domingo West.

Executives of the programme were announced that its scope comprises information on education, health, environment and gender equity of the inhabitants of these localities located in the provinces of the Dominican of Elías Piña and Pedernales (southwest) and the Central departments and South-East of Haiti.

Initiative is funded by the Spanish Agency of international cooperation for development (AECID) and the H+D Foundation (humanism more democracy), whose leaders stressed the way in which communities have taken advantage of the implementation of the project.

In addition to teach how to use and preserve the water resources, Dominican and Haitian residents receive advice and training on the cultivation of coffee, the preservation of catchment areas, information on the prevention of diseases caused by water, and the protection of the environment.

The work of information also includes the dissemination of the radio soap opera “Clara”, performed by members of the beneficiary, communities themselves that educates on the need to consume water and prevent the contamination of rivers, wells, and ravines.

“We are very pleased to observe that work is coming to these people, who work with dignity and hard to improve their living standards through educational councils receiving”, exhibited marine Pimentel, responsible for the Foundation in Santo Domingo

The “Water for development” Convention also counts on the collaboration of the Dominican Institute for Integral Development (IDDI), women in development (Mude), Sociocultural movement of Haitian workers (Mosctha), Haitian Institute for Integral Development (IHDI), Hubert Bogaert dermatological Institute and the Foundation for the Rural youth development (Fundejur).EFE