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Miami Herald
11-06-2025
- Miami Herald
Gang violence in Haiti has displaced nearly 1.3 million people. It's a new record
The number of Haitians forced to flee their homes by terrorizing armed gangs has now hit nearly 1.3 million, the United Nations International Organization for Migration said Wednesday. The surge is the highest number of people ever displaced by violence in Haiti, and represents a 24% increase since December, according to a recently published Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report by IOM. Metropolitan Port-au-Prince remains the epicenter of the violence with residents of the Grand Ravine neighborhood on Tuesday joining the ranks of those forced to flee after gunfire erupted. But the latest numbers also show that the gang violence is spreading to other regions of Haiti and inching close to the 1.5 million left homeless by Haiti's devastating 2010 earthquake. In the North where fresh attacks in the Central Plateau have forced the closure of the country's modern University Hospital of Mirebalais in April and sent a municipal market up in flames this week, the number of people forced from their homes has grown by nearly 80%, IOM said. 'Behind these numbers are so many individual people whose suffering is immeasurable; children, mothers, the elderly, many of them forced to flee their homes multiple times, often with nothing and now living in conditions that are neither safe nor sustainable,' Amy Pope, IOM's director general, said in a statement. 'We need to act urgently. The strength of the Haitian people is humbling, but resilience cannot be their only refuge. This crisis cannot become the new normal.' READ MORE: As crisis in Haiti worsens, UN council calls meeting to push for international support The violence is disrupting all facets of Haitian life as businesses go up in flames, neighborhoods get overtaken by criminal gangs and Haitians find themselves without access to basic healthcare, schools and drinking water as members of a powerful gang coalition, Viv Ansanm, shutter hospitals and force refugees into schools and makeshift camps after deadly attacks. 'They kill people, they burn homes, they cut off roads,' said Masillon Jean, who serves as mayor of the Kenscoff community. Jean said with the help of the population, security forces were able to recover some of the areas where armed gangs had taken over such as the center of town, where a school and courthouse have reopened. But other areas of the community, located in the hills above Pétion-Ville, continue to be in the grip of gangs, particularly the community of Furcy, where a popular hotel, The Lodge, was burned by gangs along with private homes. Last year, more than 5,600 Haitians died as a result of gang-related violence. This year, the death toll stands at more than 1,600, the U.N. has said. At the same time, the worsening violence is also deepening the humanitarian crisis as more than 5.7 million Haitians struggling to find enough to eat with some facing famine-like conditions. In the rice-growing Artibonite department, where a well-known pastor and members of his congregation were beheaded last month by a self-defense brigade, there are now more than 92,000 people displaced by violence in the community of Petite Rivière alone. In the Central Plateau, where gangs set fire to a municipal market on Sunday, attacks in towns like Mirebalais and Saut-d'Eau have more than doubled the number of people on the run in just a few months, rising from around 68,000 to over 147,000 people. The Center Department also now hosts 85 makeshift displacement sites, IOM said, the sharpest increase in such sights whose overall numbers went from 142 in December to 246. The growing crisis is not only putting an enormous strain on overstretched families, but also on aid agencies, which are facing cuts as Washington pulls back funding to international organizations including the United Nations. Last week, the regional director for the World Food Program warned that despite the country's record hunger and its vulnerability to hurricanes and other natural disasters, its food stocks are dwindling and warehouses sit empty. IOM said in the past month the agency y have assisted over 20,000 people with essential household items such as buckets and cooking utensils, distributed over 3 million liters of clean water and provided basic health services to 6,000 people. Additionally, IOM has reinforced its mental health support, reaching over 8,500 displaced people. But the needs continue to expand, the agency said, issuing an appeal to the international community to scale up support as a humanitarian appeal by the United Nations for $908.6 million for Haiti only garners $75 million so far. 'Without immediate funding and access, millions remain at risk,' the agency said. Echoing the sentiments of Canada's permanent representative to the U.N., Robert Rae, who is hosting a special discussion on Haiti in New York on Wednesday, IOM stressed that while humanitarian assistance is essential, Haiti needs sustainable solutions to address the root causes of displacement, improve access to essential services and create viable alternatives to gang violence for youth. These measures are critical to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring stability, IOM said.
MTV Lebanon
11-06-2025
- Politics
- MTV Lebanon
Haiti Sees Record Displacement as 1.3 Million Flee Violence
Nearly 1.3 million people are now internally displaced in Haiti, a 24 percent increase since December 2024, according to a recently published Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). This surge represents the highest number of people displaced by violence ever recorded in the country. 'Behind these numbers are so many individual people whose suffering is immeasurable; children, mothers, the elderly, many of them forced to flee their homes multiple times, often with nothing, and now living in conditions that are neither safe nor sustainable,' said Amy Pope, IOM Director General. 'We need to act urgently. The strength of the Haitian people is humbling, but resilience cannot be their only refuge. This crisis cannot become the new normal.' While Port-au-Prince remains the epicentre of the crisis, gang violence is spreading beyond the capital. Recent attacks in the Centre and Artibonite departments have forced tens of thousands more residents to flee, many now living in precarious conditions and makeshift shelters. Although nearly a quarter of all internally displaced people are still living in the capital, increasing numbers of people are fleeing to other parts of the country in search of safety. In the North, the number of people forced from their homes has grown by nearly 80 per cent. In the Artibonite department, violence in Petite Rivière alone has driven thousands more from their homes, bringing the total number of displaced people in the area to over 92,000. In the Centre department, the situation is even more alarming. Fighting in towns like Mirebalais and Saut-d'Eau has more than doubled the number of people on the move in just a few months, rising from around 68,000 to over 147,000. Many now face life without access to health care, schools, and clean water, leaving already vulnerable families struggling to survive. As more people are forced to flee, the number of spontaneous displacement sites is also rising. Since December, these sites have jumped from 142 to 246. The sharpest increase is in areas that previously had none, like the Centre department, which now hosts 85 sites. Yet around 83 per cent are sheltering with host families, placing enormous strain on already overstretched households, especially in rural communities. IOM continues to play a leading role in the humanitarian response. In the past month, the Organization assisted over 20,000 people with essential household items such as buckets and cooking utensils, distributed over 3 million litres of clean water, and provided basic health services to 6,000 people. Additionally, IOM has reinforced its mental health support, reaching over 8,500 displaced people. IOM teams are currently deployed in the Centre department to assess the multisectoral needs and prepare the response. As needs grow, IOM reiterates its call to the international community to scale up support. Without immediate funding and access, millions remain at risk. Humanitarian assistance is essential, but alone it is not enough. Sustainable solutions must address the root causes of displacement, improve access to essential services, and create viable alternatives to gang violence for youth. These measures are critical to breaking the cycle of violence and restoring stability.
Libyan Express
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Libyan Express
Migrant population in Libya rises to 858,000 amid Sudan conflict
BY Libyan Express May 23, 2025 - 06:38 Updated: May 23, 2025 - 06:38 Migrants and refugees sit on a rubber boat before being rescued by a ship run by Maltese NGO Moas and Italian Red Cross off the Libyan coast | Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Images Libya hosted more than 858,000 migrants in the first two months of 2025, representing a 4% increase from December 2024 figures, according to new data from the International Organisation for Migration. The latest Displacement Tracking Matrix report shows the migrant population has grown from 824,131 at the end of last year, driven largely by people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan. Sudanese nationals now comprise the largest group at 31% of all migrants, followed by those from Niger (22%), Egypt (20%) and Chad (10%). These four countries account for 83% of Libya's migrant population, which includes people from 46 different nationalities. Men make up 78% of migrants, with women and children representing 22% of the total. The western region of Libya hosts just over half of all migrants (52%), attracted by employment opportunities in construction and manufacturing. The eastern region accommodates 35% of the migrant population. The capital Tripoli hosts 15% of all migrants, whilst the coastal cities of Misurata and Benghazi each accommodate 10%. The report highlights severe humanitarian challenges facing migrant communities. More than three-quarters (76%) lack access to healthcare, primarily due to high costs and poor service quality. Educational barriers affect migrant children particularly severely, with 65% of school-age children not attending classes. The IOM cited economic hardship, lack of documentation, poor social integration and language barriers as the main obstacles. The increase in migrant numbers comes as Libya continues to serve as both a destination and transit country for people seeking better economic opportunities or fleeing conflict in other parts of Africa and the Middle East. The views expressed in Op-Ed pieces are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of Libyan Express. How to submit an Op-Ed: Libyan Express accepts opinion articles on a wide range of topics. Submissions may be sent to oped@ Please include 'Op-Ed' in the subject line.
Libya Observer
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Libya Observer
IOM: Number of immigrants in Libya reached 850.000
The latest report by the International Organization for Migration's (IOM) Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reveals the presence of 858,604 immigrants in Libya during the period from January to February 2025. According to IOM, this figure marks a notable increase from the 824,131 immigrants recorded at the end of 2024, underscoring the continued influx of migrants and the growing challenges they face across the country. The report identifies immigrants from 46 different nationalities, with men making up 78% of the population, while women and minors account for the remaining 22%. Four countries represent the origin of the vast majority of immigrants (83%): Sudan (31%), Niger (22%), Egypt (20%), and Chad (10%). Sudanese immigration, in particular, has surged significantly due to the ongoing armed conflict in Sudan, which has forced thousands to seek refuge in Libya, the report notes. Regionally, the western part of Libya hosts 52% of the immigrant population, largely due to relatively better work opportunities in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The eastern region hosts 35%, with key coastal cities such as Tripoli (15%), Misrata (10%), and Benghazi (10%) being among the most affected. On the humanitarian front, the situation is described as critical. Over three-quarters of immigrants (76%) lack access to healthcare, mainly due to high costs and poor service quality. Migrant children also face major educational barriers, with 65% of school-age children not attending school—hindered by economic hardship, lack of documentation, poor social integration, and language barriers. Tags: International Organization for Migration
Scoop
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Home-Bound Syrians Find Few Of The Basics Needed To Survive
19 May 2025 Hopes rose last week in Damascus when fuel prices dropped instantly following Donald Trump's move to end punitive sanctions. But after more than 13 years of civil war that ended with the fall of the Assad regime last December, ordinary Syrians face an exhausting list of other problems. These include an absence of housing - caused by bomb damage on a scale with Gaza - unreliable access to electricity, clean water, healthcare and work. Refugee agency call Since last December, half a million Syrians have returned home, many for the first time since the war began, according to the UN refugee agency, UNHCR. 'We must ensure that people who return can stay and thrive: that is also why the lifting of sanctions is crucial, as reconstruction is urgently needed,' said High Commissioner Filippo Grandi, in an online message. Today, transitional authorities govern Syria under President Ahmad al-Sharaa. 'Destroyed at all levels' But the once-prosperous country remains scarred – 'the infrastructure in Syria is almost completely destroyed at all levels,' said Hail Khalaf, Officer-in-Charge for Syria at the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM). Mr. Khalaf, who spoke to UN News from the capital Damascus where electricity only comes on for four hours a day, confirmed that the protracted war had impacted Syrian society in its entirety – not least education. 'The impact of the removal of US sanctions on Syria was observed very quickly on the daily lives of Syrians,' he said. 'There was an instant drop in fuel prices in Syria the moment the removal of sanctions was announced.' 'We hope that the American government will expedite the removal of the Caesar Act,' he stressed, referring to the sanctions package against the former Syrian Government signed into law by the first Trump administration in 2019. Dilapidated economy Those returning to Syria and looking for a job in the agricultural sector in particular are confronted with an industry in shambles, IOM said in a report. Farmers make up the great majority of those who were internally displaced by the fighting to camps. Most – 88 per cent – say they cannot work the soil again, as most farms are either operating at half-capacity or unable to function at all, according to IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix. 'The country is exhausted, and the economy is also exhausted,' explained Mr. Khalaf. Today, more than 90 per cent of Syria's population lives below the poverty line as of December 2024, according to UNHCR data. The war uprooted around 7.4 million people inside Syria and at least six million are refugees, mainly in neighboring countries including Türkiye, Lebanon and Jordan, the UN agency noted. Working at a loss The national currency – the Syrian lira – has been exponentially devalued by the conflict. Before the war, one US dollar was equivalent to 50 Syrian lira. Today it is worth about 9,000 Syrian lira – leaving livelihoods in disarray. 'Most Syrians do not earn enough,' Mr. Khalaf explained. 'In the public sector, most employees earn approximately $35 to $40 a month, which is not even enough for transportation between work and home.' Missing paper trail Gaps in civil documentation also complicate people's ability to claim housing and land rights. Damaged public infrastructure has also fuelled outbreaks of waterborne diseases, vaccine-preventable illnesses and malnutrition, aid teams have warned. 'Syrians are resilient and innovative, but they need significant help to rebuild their communities and their lives,' insisted IOM Director General Amy Pope. In a bid to help, UN agencies including IOM are working with the Syrian Government to 'find a formula for action' and 'sustainable solutions' for all returnees so that they can rebuild their lives again.
