Geneva/Port-au-Prince – Alarming findings from the latest Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reveal a distressing trend in Haiti. Almost half of the internally displaced persons in the capital city, Port-au-Prince, have been forced to abandon temporary host community accommodations, resulting in a nearly doubled figure compared to the end of 2022. This unsettling development highlights the increasing strain on host communities and families, signaling a growing fatigue in supporting displaced individuals.

The report underscores the escalating risks faced by Haiti's displaced population, compounded by ongoing gang violence and frequent disasters. Many displaced families, originally seeking refuge with friends and relatives, are now compelled to reside in improvised sites. These sites, however, lack basic necessities, with over half lacking proper sanitation facilities, posing severe hygiene concerns in a country susceptible to cholera outbreaks.

The deteriorating situation is further exacerbated by high levels of insecurity, eroding trust between host communities and displaced populations. This breakdown in social cohesion has prompted displaced individuals to seek alternative, often precarious, arrangements in improvised sites. The risks they face in these locations include communal violence, gender-based violence, discrimination, and abuse.

Philippe Branchat, IOM's Chief of Mission in Haiti, emphasizes the urgency of providing assistance to host families and strengthening their resilience, considering their crucial role as first responders to the crisis. However, with nearly half of the country's population, around 5.2 million people, in dire need and only a quarter of Haiti's Humanitarian Response Plan funded, IOM appeals for increased international assistance to address both immediate and long-term challenges.

In response to the crisis, IOM and its partners are offering essential support such as shelter, hygiene items, solar lamps, and kitchen sets. They are also engaged in water, sanitation, and hygiene interventions to improve conditions. Additionally, efforts are being made to restore basic public services in collaboration with Haiti's government, aiming to rebuild trust between citizens and state institutions.

The situation in improvised sites remains dire, with many lacking proper sanitation facilities and falling short of basic hygiene standards. The rampant violence, primarily driven by gang activity, is the main cause of displacement for nearly 200,000 internally displaced persons. The Metropolitan Area of Port-au-Prince is worst affected, although other regions are also experiencing pressure. Heightened tensions and fears are further fueled by the actions of the "Bwa Kalé" vigilante movement, known for indiscriminate lynchings, which has undermined community solidarity.

Moreover, over 100,000 Haitians have been forcibly repatriated from neighboring countries in 2023, with many lacking proper identification, complicating their reintegration. Notably, a significant portion of repatriated migrants had previously been internally displaced within Haiti, underscoring the need for sustainable, long-term solutions to address internal displacement. While immediate life-saving assistance remains crucial, addressing the root causes of displacement is becoming increasingly urgent.