Haiti: a multi-sectoral emergency programme improves living conditions for over 76,000 internally displaced people

Since 2021, Haiti has faced a resurgence of armed violence, leading to mass population displacement, a rapid deterioration in living conditions in displacement sites and widespread food insecurity. The IOM estimates that there are more than 1.4 million internally displaced persons across the country, a significant proportion of whom are concentrated in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and the Artibonite department (DTM, Round 12).
In this context, characterised by overcrowded sites, fragile infrastructure, high health risks (notably the resurgence of cholera) and food insecurity, a rapid, multisectoral and coordinated humanitarian response has proved essential.

In Artibonite, a Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) has been established to address sudden displacements caused by armed violence, natural disasters or epidemics. Implemented in partnership with AVSI and IMPACT Initiatives, the RRM has enabled the deployment of rapid, targeted interventions benefiting over 23,000 displaced people and host communities.

Key actions included:

• Rapid, multi-sectoral assessments, ensuring a proportionate response based on the actual needs of the affected populations.

• Emergency WASH assistance, including the distribution of hygiene kits to complement the actions carried out by the Artibonite Health Directorate (DSA) for the management and prevention of cholera cases, as well as awareness-raising activities;

• Cash-based food assistance in an amount harmonised and set by the food security cluster, enabling displaced households to meet their immediate essential needs following displacement.

These interventions helped to meet the urgent and immediate needs of displaced households and those affected by cholera, whilst preventing the spread of waterborne diseases.

In the Port-au-Prince Metropolitan Area, where many people are moving to sites for internally displaced persons (IDPs) due to insecurity, Acted has focused its efforts on the coordination and management of displacement sites (CCCM), supporting 32 active sites hosting more than 37,000 displaced people.

These interventions have led to:

• Improved living conditions in displacement sites, thanks to better organisation, the strengthening of community structures and the active involvement of displaced people in site management;

• Enhanced access to safe drinking water and improved hygiene conditions, through water supply, maintenance of sanitation facilities, waste management and hygiene awareness campaigns;

• Cash-based food assistance, enabling families to meet their basic needs whilst preserving their dignity and reducing the need to resort to risky survival strategies (such as taking on debt, drastically cutting back on meals, withdrawing children from school, etc.);

• Strengthened humanitarian coordination at the sites, facilitating a rapid, better-targeted and more effective response from all humanitarian actors present.

These actions have helped to improve security, sanitation and living conditions in the displacement sites.

In total, the programme provided multisectoral assistance to 57,290 internally displaced persons, despite a particularly challenging operational environment.

This programme was made possible thanks to the support of the US Department of State and a close partnership between Acted, AVSI and IMPACT Initiatives, in coordination with the authorities and national humanitarian coordination mechanisms.

Although the project is coming to an end, humanitarian needs remain significant. The programme’s achievements (strengthened community capacities, improved site coordination, reliable humanitarian data) provide a solid foundation for continued assistance and the development of responses in Haiti.

For further information, please contact: Alix CAMUS, Country Director for the Acted mission in Haiti, at the following address: [email protected]