The number of Haitians fleeing their homes due to gang violence has tripled over the past year, surpassing one million people, according to the United Nations (UN).
Haiti, already plagued by decades of political instability, has seen the situation worsen in recent years as gangs have gained strength, further exacerbating the crisis. The latest data from the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveals that 1,041,000 people, many of whom have been displaced multiple times, are enduring the hardships of an escalating humanitarian crisis.
IOM Spokesman Kennedy Okoth Omondi reported that, in December 2023, around 315,000 people were displaced due to gang violence in Haiti. “One year since then, we have seen the number tripled to over a million people who have now been displaced because of gang violence in Haiti,” he told reporters.
The majority of the displaced individuals come from the capital, Port-au-Prince, where internal displacement has surged by 87% over the past year. The International Organization for Migration warned that this crisis is being driven by relentless gang violence, the collapse of essential services—particularly healthcare—and worsening food insecurity.
Last week, the UN rights office reported that the escalating gang violence in Haiti resulted in over 5,600 deaths last year, with thousands more injured or kidnapped.
IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the urgent need for sustained humanitarian assistance to save lives and protect vulnerable populations. “We must work together to address the root causes of the violence and instability that has led to so much death and destruction,” Pope said.
The majority of those displaced have fled Port-au-Prince, seeking refuge in Haiti’s provinces. This influx has overwhelmed host communities and strained already limited resources, according to the IOM.
IOM Spokesman Kennedy Okoth Omondi highlighted that the ongoing deportations to Haiti are exacerbating the country’s crisis, with communities already struggling to survive. “What has really made this worse is the fact that we have seen over and over deportation still occurring back to Haiti, where communities are already struggling to basically survive,” Omondi said. “Last year alone, 200,000 people were returned to Haiti amidst the current security situation and the humanitarian needs that the country is facing.”
IOM also reported that the number of displacement sites in Haiti, primarily concentrated in the capital, has risen from 73 to 108 in just one year. These sites are severely overcrowded and lack access to essential services such as food, clean water, sanitation, and education, the organization warned.
The agency pointed to reports from these sites revealing “deteriorating conditions, with families struggling to survive in makeshift shelters while facing mounting health and protection risks”.
IOM stressed the need for continued humanitarian assistance to Haiti and long-term investments in security, as well as governance and social cohesion.
