Over 700,000 people are currently internally displaced in Haiti, with more than half of them being children, as reported by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The number of displaced individuals has increased by 22 percent since June, with over 110,000 people fleeing their homes in the last seven months due to gang violence, particularly in the Gressier area west of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Haiti has been struggling with years of unrest and instability as powerful armed groups, often with ties to the country’s political and business leaders, have been competing for control and influence. The situation worsened in February when gangs launched attacks on prisons and state institutions in Port-au-Prince.
The surge of violence in Haiti this year has led to the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, the establishment of a Transitional Presidential Council, and the deployment of a United Nations-backed multinational force called the Multinational Security Support Mission led by Kenya. The UN human rights office reported that over 3,600 people have been killed in gang violence in Haiti this year, describing it as “senseless”. Additionally, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) stated in a report that almost 48 percent of people in Haiti are experiencing acute food shortages. These challenging circumstances highlight the urgent need for international support and assistance for Haiti’s displaced populations and the host communities that are supporting them.
Gregoire Goodstein, the IOM’s chief in Haiti, emphasized the importance of international support for Haiti’s displaced populations and the resilient host communities facing these challenges. The IOM report revealed that about 75 percent of displaced individuals are sheltering in the country’s provinces, with the Grand Sud region alone hosting 45 percent of all displaced persons. The remaining individuals are in Port-au-Prince, living in overcrowded sites with limited access to basic services. The IOM noted that 83 percent of displaced people are being hosted by families, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to restore stability and security in the country, along with humanitarian aid to alleviate the immediate suffering of those affected.
As the situation in Haiti remains precarious and unpredictable, the IOM emphasized the importance of ongoing efforts to restore stability and security across the country. With the majority of displaced individuals being hosted by families and communities, support for both the displaced populations and the host communities is vital. It is crucial for the international community to step up and provide assistance to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the crisis. The IOM’s call for international support underscores the urgent need to address the humanitarian and security challenges facing Haiti and its displaced populations, particularly children who make up a significant portion of those affected by the ongoing violence and instability in the country.
