In a context marked by an alarming increase in deportations of Haitians from the Dominican Republic, France has decided to allocate a new voluntary contribution of 2 million Euros to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This aid supports and expands the essential work already carried out by the IOM on the Haitian border to respond to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

Since October 2nd, 2024, nearly 60,000 migrants in an irregular migratory situation have been deported to Haiti by the Dominican Republic in Haiti https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43334-haiti-flash-repatriation-of-10-000-haitians-per-week-the-great-hunt-has-begun-in-the-dominican-rep.html . This increase has exhausted local reception and assistance capacities, thus exacerbating an already precarious humanitarian situation.

IOM, already active on the ground at border crossing points such as Ouanaminthe and Belladère, with more border points under exploration, provides essential humanitarian support for deported migrants. Since the beginning of this crisis and in collaboration with local authorities including the National Organization for Migration (ONM), IOM has distributed hundreds of dignity kits, carried out medical consultations and offered psychosocial support to the most vulnerable migrants. IOM also adopts personalized assistance. For example, nearly 900 people have received essential clothing and hygiene items in place of standard kits. In addition, through its transport assistance program, IOM has already enabled more than 7,000 migrants to join their families or secure areas.

Grégoire Goodstein, Head of IOM in Haiti stressed : "France’s contribution is essential to enable IOM to continue and expand its support to deported migrants. This gesture of confidence pushes us to redouble our efforts to best support deported migrants, meet their immediate needs and contribute to sustainable solutions. Every day, we see the dramatic effects of this crisis, but thanks to this support, we will be able to continue to provide concrete responses and alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable."

See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-43829-icihaiti-dom-rep-more-than-75-000-haitians-sent-back-to-haiti-in-67-days.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43334-haiti-flash-repatriation-of-10-000-haitians-per-week-the-great-hunt-has-begun-in-the-dominican-rep.html

IH/ iciHaiti