An outbreak of violence since May 11, 2024 has disrupted previously safe areas, such as Gressier, a commune south of Port-au-Prince. Armed groups seeking to expand their territories have forced more than 33,000 people to flee to the commune of Léogâne. UNICEF reports that two-thirds of these internally displaced people are women and children.

"The situation in Léogâne remains very tense and very worrying. The city has welcomed a succession of displaced people in recent months. Hundreds of families are in the public square, without shelter, support or essential services, in the middle of the rainy season. Displaced people, the majority of whom are women and children, continue to arrive," said Clément Georges, head of Civil Protection in Léogâne.

The majority of displaced people have found refuge with host families, demonstrating the enduring solidarity and generosity within the community despite the multiple ongoing crises in Haiti. However, around 8,500 people now find themselves stuck in displacement sites, struggling with minimal access to basic needs and stability. This situation puts enormous pressure on family income and leads to their decapitalization.

To meet these critical needs, UNICEF and its partners are intensifying their efforts to ensure that displaced children can access essential services and find relief from their challenges.

"We need support, both for housing displaced people and for organizing their return to their provinces of origin. They need cash to reunite with their families. Right now, they are stuck here, without any means or assistance," underlined Ernson Henry, Mayor of the City of Léogâne.

IH/ iciHaiti