The United Nations migration agency has reported a significant increase in internal displacement in Haiti, with the number of displaced people surpassing 1 million, marking a record in the Caribbean nation. The surge in displacement, largely attributed to gang violence, has tripled over the past year, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The agency highlighted that relentless gang violence in the capital city of Port-au-Prince has led to a near-doubling of displacement in the area. This has resulted in a collapse of essential services such as healthcare, exacerbating food insecurity in the country, which is already one of the poorest in the world.
The latest data from the IOM reveals that over 1 million people, including a significant number of children, are currently struggling amidst an intensifying humanitarian crisis. This figure represents a three-fold increase from the 315,000 displaced individuals reported in December 2023.
The forced return of approximately 200,000 individuals, primarily from the neighboring Dominican Republic, has further exacerbated the crisis in Haiti. The shared island of Hispaniola has witnessed a rise in displacement sites in Port-au-Prince, increasing from 73 to 108 over the past year.
The outgoing administration of U.S. President Joe Biden has extended support for a temporary status program, allowing foreign nationals from countries like El Salvador, Haiti, and Venezuela to remain in the U.S. However, concerns have been raised about potential changes to such protections under the incoming administration.
While the IOM declined to comment on specific countries, the agency emphasized that deportations or forced returns to nations already grappling with security and humanitarian challenges would not be beneficial to the affected populations. The situation in Haiti underscores the urgent need for coordinated efforts to address the escalating crisis and provide support to those impacted by internal displacement.
