Haiti

The people of Haiti have faced a multitude of challenges over the years, encompassing political, social and economic issues, further exacerbated by recurring natural disasters. Lawlessness gang violence have cast a shadow over all aspects of everyday life, particularly in the capital Port-au-Prince, Artibonite and beyond. In 2024, approximately 5.5 million Haitians require humanitarian assistance, marking an increase from 5.2 million. Extreme violence perpetrated by armed gangs against the Haitian population has now extended to remote rural areas, as the Government’s presence continues to erode. Persistent structural weaknesses have exacerbated the lack of essential basic services, with hospitals and doctors becoming targets, and the forced displacement of several hundred teachers, many of whom progressively leave the country. 

Haitian women bear the disproportionate burden of the surge in violence. Rape cases increased by 49 per cent from January to August 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. Meanwhile, hospitals and schools operate intermittently at best. People are afraid to go to work, individuals in need of medical care avoid seeking treatment and parents are reluctant to send their children to school, fearing stray bullets or kidnappings. For thousands of students, 2023 marked the fourth consecutive year of interrupted school year. An estimated 1 million children are out of school, heightening the risk of gang recruitment for half a million children who reside in gang-controlled areas. The scarcity of access to basic services is particularly concerning, especially in light of a cholera epidemic that has affected all 10 departments since the confirmation of the first case in October 2022.

Historically, internal displacement in Haiti primarily stemmed from natural hazards. However, in the past few years, there has been a marked shift, with insecurity and violence displacing over 300,000 Haitians, half of whom are children, as of early 2024. Concurrently, there has been an increase and acceleration in forced repatriation of Haitian migrants from neighbouring countries. Insecurity, compounded by rainfall deficits, has disrupted the agricultural season, leading to a situation where 44 per cent of the population grappling with acute food insecurity. The food security crisis in Haiti is one of the worst in the world proportionate to the population, with a staggering 4.4 million Haitians (two out of five Haitians) facing acute food insecurity.

In 2024, humanitarian partners are committed to assist 3.6 million of the 5.5 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The humanitarian response will place a strong emphasis on providing protection services, particularly to women, girls and boys who have suffered or are at risk of gender-based violence. This includes ensuring access to essential medical services, bolstering support for returning or deported Haitians upon arrival, and enhancing protection and living conditions in displacement sites. Equally critical is the provision of emergency water, hygiene, and sanitation services, especially for those most vulnerable to the cholera epidemic. Addressing immediate food and nutritional needs and preventing famine are also top priorities for humanitarian partners, as increasing food prices erode coping capacities. 

Additionally, efforts will be made to ensure that displaced, out-of-school children from the most vulnerable host communities have equitable access to a safe and protective education. Looking beyond the immediate emergency response, partners are focused on fostering sustainable solutions that enhance resilience and preparedness for future emergencies and natural disasters. To do so, humanitarians are seeking for US$674 million in 2024 for humanitarian response in Haiti. The humanitarian community needs to be equipped to respond to needs at scale once security is fully restored.