Lake Enriquillo, Dominican Republic.- Haiti and the Dominican Republic have joined forces with the support of the United Nations to tackle environmental degradation resulting from rising water levels in lakes near their common border, the UN reports on its Web site.

It said roads along the border and running through the two countries "have been noticeably damaged by overflowing water, which has had a devastating effect on biodiversity and agriculture." Communities already mired in poverty and vulnerable to extreme weather events have also been dealt a harsh blow by the rising lake levels.

The UN News Centre notes that even if the heavy rains in recent years abate, the water levels in Lake Azuei in Haiti and Lake Enriquillo in the Dominican Republic – both at the foot of mountains – will continue to rise "To address the problem, the two countries are cooperating with the UN Development Program (UNDP), the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the World Food Program (WFP)."

The partnership seeks to boost research on the watersheds supplying the lakes, implement a plan for reforestation, slow down the rate of erosion, and promote development to increase income for lakeside communities, the organization said. "The environment ministers of Haiti and the Dominican Republic signed a declaration last month to cooperate in finding a solution to the problem."