Haiti's displaced persons crisis enters an even more alarming phase

Haiti's long-standing displacement crisis has escalated into a more alarming phase, now impacting 1.5 million individuals in both urban and rural areas, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reported Friday. The situation is particularly dire as over half of those displaced are women and girls. The IOM highlighted that the crisis is no longer confined to specific neighborhoods or regions, with violence now extending into areas previously considered safe havens.

"This increases the number of people forced to flee repeatedly even though they have nowhere to go," said Gregoire Goodstein, IOM Chief of Mission in Haiti, during a teleconference. May alone saw more than 18,000 people flee a new wave of violence in Cité Soleil, pushing the total number of internally displaced persons in the capital, Port-au-Prince, to over 300,000 for the first time in history. Additionally, approximately 5,000 people were displaced in the Southeast department in recent weeks, a region that had previously offered refuge to those escaping insecurity elsewhere in the country, underscoring the pervasive nature of the violence.

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This increases the number of people forced to flee repeatedly even though they have nowhere to go.

The deteriorating security situation is directly linked to the rise of armed criminal gangs over the past three years, which now control an estimated 85% of Port-au-Prince. Even international security support missions have struggled to contain the gangs' advance. Compounding the crisis are the forced returns of Haitians from various countries. "Since the beginning of 2026, more than 110,000 Haitians have been forcibly returned to the country, including women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Many arrive with no resources and limited support," Goodstein explained.

The IOM noted a significant presence of "vulnerable profiles" among those returned, including unaccompanied children, pregnant women, and postpartum women. With the Atlantic hurricane season approaching, humanitarian concerns are mounting, as potential floods and extreme weather events could further devastate the displaced population. The IOM's report paints a grim picture of a nation grappling with escalating violence, widespread displacement, and the looming threat of natural disasters.

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Since the beginning of 2026, more than 110,000 Haitians have been forcibly returned to the country, including women, children, and other vulnerable groups. Many arrive with no resources and limited support.