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 flee their homes this year.

According to the latest report from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), 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 flee their homes this year.

This is the highest figure ever recorded in the country, representing a 36% increase since the end of 2024.

"The severity of this crisis demands an intensified response," said Grégoire Goodstein, IOM Chief of Mission in Haiti.

"The generosity of Haitian communities hosting displaced people must be matched by renewed international support. What is needed now are sustainable solutions that allow Haitians suffering through this long and complex crisis to regain their dignity, improve their resilience, and have alternatives."

According to the report, the crisis extends far beyond the capital. Nearly 64% of new displacements have occurred outside Port-au-Prince, particularly in the Central and Artibonite departments, confirming the trend observed in previous assessments.

Existing reception sites are overcrowded and lack basic services. Meanwhile, the number of spontaneous displacement sites has steadily increased, rising from 142 in December to 238 today. Local communities continue to bear the brunt of this relentless influx, hosting approximately 85% of displaced persons despite the growing strain on limited resources.

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

Along the border between Haiti and the Dominican Republic, communities are experiencing further tensions, as more than 207,000 deported Haitians have returned since January 2025 to a country where gang violence has escalated.

In response to this complex and rapidly evolving crisis, IOM has expanded its operations beyond the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, strengthening its presence in provincial areas also affected by violence. On the ground, IOM teams are providing emergency shelter, clean water, protection services, health care, mental health services, psychosocial support, and livelihoods to vulnerable families.

Working with authorities, partners, and community members, IOM is also working to build security and resilience in communities. To this end, it invests in education, employment, and community programs for young people, as well as in community-led rehabilitation of public infrastructure. This inclusive approach, based on the principles of disarmament, demobilization, and reintegration, aims to restore peace and stability in Haiti.

As humanitarian needs continue to rise, IOM renews its appeal to the international community to increase its funding and improve access to aid. Its goal is to ensure that emergency assistance reaches those who need it most, while also investing in long-term solutions that address the root causes of displacement. Without immediate and sustained support, the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced and expelled Haitians will only worsen.

IOM/ HL/ HaitiLibre