Displacement in Haiti hits record as 1.4M flee gang violence: UN agency
Nearly two-thirds of new displacements occurred in Centre, Artibonite departments, says International Organization for Migration’s report
A view of the streets as growing insecurity, particularly in the capital, is forcing families to flee their former shelters on several occasions in Port-au-Prince, Haiti in April, 2025
ISTANBUL
The number of people displaced by violence and insecurity in Haiti has reached a record 1.4 million, the highest ever recorded in the country, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
The IOM’s latest Displacement Tracking Matrix report said forced displacement has risen 36% since the end of 2024 as gang-related violence continues to spread beyond the national capital of Port-au-Prince.
Nearly two-thirds of new displacements occurred in the Centre and Artibonite departments.
“The severity of this crisis demands increased and sustained response,” said Gregoire Goodstein, IOM’s mission chief in Haiti. “The generosity of Haitian communities hosting displaced people must be matched by renewed international support.”
The report found that 85% of displaced Haitians are being hosted by local families, many already struggling with scarce resources. Meanwhile, the number of spontaneous displacement sites has risen sharply, from 142 in December to 238 as of October.
Women and children remain the most vulnerable, accounting for more than half of the displaced population. Many families have been separated as parents send their children to safer areas to shield them from the violence.
Communities along the border with the Dominican Republic are also under increasing strain, as more than 207,000 deported Haitians have returned since January amid worsening insecurity.
In response, IOM has expanded humanitarian operations beyond Port-au-Prince, delivering emergency shelter, clean water, health services, mental health support and livelihood assistance to affected families.
The UN agency is also working with authorities and communities to rebuild public infrastructure and promote social reintegration programs aimed at long-term stability.
The IOM urged the international community to scale up funding to ensure urgent aid reaches those most in need, warning that without immediate and sustained support, “the suffering of hundreds of thousands of displaced and deported Haitians will only spiral further.”
