Coping with climatic shocks: local perspectives from Haiti’s rural mountain regions

Abstract

Abstract Haiti’s agrarian society is highly sensitive to changes in weather and climate conditions. Little is known about Haitian farmers’ perceptions of climate-related risks and their ability to cope with hazards, which may reduce the relevance and likelihood of success of proposed adaptation solutions. We discuss the findings from the focus groups held with 104 small-holder farmers from mountain areas. Farmers in the study area regard the impacts of climate hazards on their livelihood as significant but largely prioritize short-term solutions over long-term protective measures, which potentially increase their vulnerability over time. The study provides insights on local decision processes and potential pathways for discussing climate information with farmers. It identifies the types of information perceived as necessary for informed decision-making. The findings, while in some cases distinctive to the study area, have implications for the design of climate change adaptation interventions in other contexts.