Care for the Earth: Rainwater Harvesting
Mercy Focus on Haiti launched a Rainwater Harvesting program in Gros Morne Haiti in 2020, training 19 masons to build ferrocement cisterns, using locally available materials. The cisterns collect and store the water needed by families, farmers, schools, and churches throughout the region. The water is used for drinking, cooking, hygiene, livestock, and gardens.
MFOH-sponsored masons are currently constructing 20 cisterns per month, each holding 500 to 2,000 gallons. Local community leaders collaborate to identify families and areas in greatest need for a cistern. Demand for the cisterns far exceeds the supply … and continues to grow.
A key component of the program is the creation of fruit and vegetable yard gardens. Another MFOH-supported community leader trains families on soil preparation and gardening fundamentals, shares seeds, delivers seedlings/saplings, and supports crop diversification. Many gardens have been so successful that families not only have met their family’s food needs, but they have had surplus crops to sell, enabling them to fund their children’s tuition or meet emergency expenses.
Our objective is to combat food and water insecurity in Haiti by expanding rainwater harvesting and yard gardens, empowering local leaders to increase their communities’ resilience.
As of February 2026, a total of 649 cisterns and 244 yard gardens have been created!
A United Nations news report from October 2025 estimates that 5.7 million Haitians – almost half of the population — are facing a deteriorating food security situation, with 1.9 million suffering emergency levels of acute food insecurity. Another 3.8 million people are facing crisis levels of acute food insecurity.
Testimonials from participants in our rainwater harvesting and yard garden programs have validated the life-saving impact of these programs. These initiatives are providing the most basic and critical gifts – water and food – to families in need.
These cisterns are making it possible for families to have water to drink and for their crops. Without the cisterns, people, usually women, would have to walk 1-2 hours to the river for water.