The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that displacement in Haiti is reaching new heights amid escalating violence.

Between February 14 and March 5, more than 40,000 people were displaced in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. This is the highest number of displaced people recorded in such a short period of time since 2021, when displacement due to gang violence began to be documented.

Humanitarian operations face significant access challenges due to security risks and resource constraints.

OCHA warns that funding shortages are also leading to a rapid deterioration of living conditions in displacement sites in Port-au-Prince.

An inter-agency mission, led by OCHA, visited the largest displacement site (over 6,000 people). She noted that many families have been displaced three or four times, becoming increasingly vulnerable with each displacement. Some families have only one change of clothes for their children.

The site, located in an administrative building, has only four functioning toilets, while other camps lack even basic latrines.

In addition to the dire living conditions, many of these sites are dangerously close to active combat zones. Last week, stray bullets hit a camp for displaced people, killing one person and wounding several others, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced protection and immediate humanitarian assistance.

IH/ iciHaiti