Four aqueducts take first step towards water resilience in San Pedro de Macorís and Hato Mayor

Santo Domingo — Within the framework of the initiative “Strengthening Capacities, Security and Resilience of Critical Infrastructures in the Dominican Republic, Cuba and Haiti”, technical surveys were carried out in four prioritized water systems —El Soco, Cayacoa–El Tintero, Quisqueya and Múltiple de Hato Mayor— to measure their resilience with the Safe Aqueducts Index (IAS), identify improvements and strengthen the water security of the communities. The prioritization of these systems was defined together with the national counterparts, considering technical and management criteria: preference for aqueducts under the jurisdiction of INAPA that had not yet been evaluated with the IAS; attention to community aqueducts that require capacity building to sustain their operation in co-management schemes; and territorial alignment with educational centers to be evaluated by the education component of the project. The technical visit was carried out by a multidisciplinary team from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in coordination with the National Institute of Potable Water and Sewers (INAPA), Civil Defense, the National Office of Seismic Evaluation and Vulnerability of Infrastructure and Buildings (ONESVIE), the Santo Domingo Aqueduct and Sewer Corporation (CAASD) and the Ministry of the Presidency. The report resulting from this survey will allow for the establishment of a functional improvement plan with sustainable solutions to optimize operation, improve emergency response capacity, and ensure functionality in the face of climate threats, guaranteeing an efficient and continuous supply. The implementation of these improvements strengthens the security of infrastructures against climate change and contributes to their long-term resilience, so that they can continue to fulfill essential functions during and after extreme events. Community leadership and women's participation to build water resilience 

As part of the process, a socialization and self-recognition session was held with the Community Association of Rural Aqueduct (ASOCAR) of the Cayacoa–El Tintero aqueduct (San Pedro de Macorís). Community leaders participated —including collaborators in the sustainability of self-managed aqueducts— to reflect on female leadership, identify barriers and opportunities, and map skills and knowledge. The space allowed them to strengthen their leadership, make challenges visible such as the overload of care, and explore alternatives for mutual support and collective ventures for a more inclusive water management. Translate diagnostics into concrete actions to ensure safe water in vulnerable communities  With the technical evidence from the IAS, teams can prioritize quick-execution, high-impact interventions, as well as structural and management actions that consolidate the safe operation of the systems. Likewise, it promotes inter-institutional coordination to accelerate permits, financing and acquisitions, and local capacities are strengthened to ensure the sustainability of the results. Funding and Alignment The project was developed within the framework of the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) program and aligns with national development commitments and international frameworks such as the 2030 Agenda (SDG 6) and the Sendai Framework.