April 11, 2025
In just one month, nearly 60,000 people have fled Port-au-Prince, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This latest wave of displacement sets a new record in Haiti’s worsening humanitarian crisis. Over the past two months, security has deteriorated further, with increasing attacks on civilians and a shrinking number of safe areas. Today, Port-au-Prince is under siege, its airport closed, and thousands of families are fleeing in a desperate bid to survive.
The IOM reports that the hardest-hit neighborhoods include Delmas, Carrefour-Feuilles, Martissant, Fort National, Pétion-Ville, and Tabarre. Thousands have sought refuge in 48 displacement sites, including 12 newly established ones, while others have been taken in by already overwhelmed host families. “This alarming rise in displacement highlights the relentless cycle of violence devastating the Haitian capital. We have never seen such a high number of people forced to move in such a short time,” said Grégoire Goodstein, head of IOM in Haiti.
According to the IOM, more than one million people are now displaced across the country—a number that has tripled in just one year. Yet, the crisis struggles to capture global attention. Humanitarian resources remain insufficient, and the needs far exceed the available response capacity. Worsening insecurity is making access to critical areas more difficult, while continued support for the Haitian National Police is essential to restoring stability. “Those fleeing violence need immediate protection, food, water, and shelter. Without additional support, we risk an even greater humanitarian catastrophe,” Goodstein warned.
Despite these challenges, the IOM continues to provide lifesaving aid. In February alone, more than 16,000 people received clean drinking water and hygiene kits, while 3,700 others benefited from emergency shelters, medical care, and psychosocial support. IOM teams remain on the ground, assessing needs and distributing assistance. However, insecurity is severely limiting humanitarian access, leaving thousands without protection or essential services.
The IOM is committed to supporting Haiti from emergency response to reconstruction, but the challenges are immense. Resources are scarce, and access to critical areas is shrinking. As suffering reaches unprecedented levels, the IOM calls on the international community to step up its support and prevent a humanitarian disaster of historic proportions. Haiti cannot wait any longer.
