According to the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) latest Displacement Tracking Matrix report, the number of people displaced by violence and instability in Haiti has reached an unprecedented level, with more than 1.4 million people forced to leave their homes. This is the highest number ever recorded in the country and a 36% increase since the end of 2024.

"The gravity of this crisis demands a heightened and sustained response," said Grégoire Goodstein, IOM Haiti Chief of Mission. "The generosity of Haitian communities hosting displaced people must be matched by renewed international support. It is now necessary to find durable solutions that restore dignity, foster resilience, and create lasting alternatives for those experiencing this long and complex crisis."

According to the report, the crisis is spreading well beyond the capital. Nearly 64% of new displacements took place outside Port-au-Prince, particularly in the Centre and Artibonite departments, confirming a trend observed in previous assessments.

Existing displacement sites are overcrowded and suffer from a lack of basic services. In contrast, the number of spontaneous displacement sites has gradually increased, from 142 in December 2024 to 238 today (+68%). Local communities continue to bear the brunt of the burden, hosting approximately 85% of displaced persons despite increasing pressure on their limited resources.

Women and children, who represent more than half of the displaced in Haiti, are the most affected by the conflict. Many families have been separated, with parents sending their children to stay with relatives in safer areas in a desperate effort to protect them.

Along the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, communities are facing additional pressure with the return of more than 250,000 Haitians expelled since January 2025 https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-45697-haiti-flash-250-741-haitians-expelled-from-the-dr-since-the-beginning-of-the-year.html

Faced with this complex and constantly evolving crisis, IOM has expanded its operations beyond the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, strengthening its presence in provinces affected by violence. IOM teams on the ground are providing emergency shelter, clean water, health services, psychological and psychosocial support, protection services, and livelihood opportunities to vulnerable families.

As humanitarian needs continue to grow, IOM renews its appeal to the international community for increased funding. "Without immediate and sustained support, the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced and expelled Haitians will only worsen."

HL/ HaitiLibre