Nearly 1.5 million persons are currently displaced in Haiti, according to the latest report by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). More than half are women and girls, reflecting a worsening humanitarian crisis driven by escalating violence that continues to force families from their homes across both urban and rural areas.
"Haiti's displacement crisis is entering an even more alarming phase," said Gregoire Goodstein, IOM Chief of Mission in Haiti. "The crisis is no longer confined to specific neighborhoods or regions. As violence spreads into areas once considered safe, more and more people are being forced to flee repeatedly, often with nowhere left to turn."
The record figure reported by IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) reflects a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis marked by repeated waves of displacement, with more than 18,000 people forced to flee renewed violence in Cité Soleil in May and a further 5,000 displaced in the country's South-East Department in recent weeks.
Armed attacks are no longer confined to traditional hotspots, increasingly affecting communities that had previously served as places of refuge and leaving vulnerable populations with fewer safe options as humanitarian needs continue to grow.
In May, renewed violence in Cité Soleil displaced more than 18,000 people within days, pushing the number of internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince above 300,000 for the first time on record. Most fled to overcrowded spontaneous sites or sought safety with already vulnerable host communities.
Just weeks earlier, armed attacks in Haiti's South-East Department displaced more than 5,000 people in a region previously considered a refuge for those escaping insecurity elsewhere in the country. The displacement illustrates a worrying shift, as communities that once offered safety are increasingly becoming displacement focus points themselves.
The growing displacement crisis is being compounded by continued forced returns. Since the beginning of 2026, more than 110,000 Haitians have been forcibly returned to the country, including women, children and other vulnerable groups.
Upon return, many arrive with no resources and limited support, often to communities already struggling to absorb new arrivals or to areas affected by armed group activity. Vulnerable profiles remain prominent among returnees, including unaccompanied children, pregnant women and postpartum women, who continue to be received in fragile and often unsafe conditions, with limited access to basic services and protection.
Across displacement sites and host communities, people report critical shortages of shelter, food, clean water, healthcare and psychosocial support. Children, pregnant women, persons with disabilities and female-headed households remain among the most vulnerable. Overcrowded living conditions and limited access to services are increasing protection risks, including exploitation and abuse, while leaving thousands exposed to worsening humanitarian conditions.
With the Atlantic hurricane season now underway, humanitarian concerns are mounting. Flooding and severe weather could further worsen already fragile living conditions, particularly in overcrowded displacement sites where many people lack adequate shelter and access to basic services.
Despite insecurity and challenging operating conditions, IOM continues to deliver life-saving assistance in some of Haiti's most affected areas. Working alongside national authorities and humanitarian partners, IOM provides emergency shelter, healthcare, psychosocial support, water, sanitation and hygiene services, relief items and site management assistance to displaced communities.
The needs of Haitian communities are clear: safety, access to vital services, legal identity and livelihoods that allow people to support themselves and their families. As violence spreads and displacement continues to rise, sustained investment in humanitarian assistance, recovery efforts and community resilience remains critical to helping vulnerable communities rebuild their lives and reduce the risk of repeated displacement.
