Waves of gang violence and social unrest persist in Port-au-Prince coupled with extreme hunger and a highly volatile security situation across Haiti.

(Issue 20th August 2024) In April 2023, GOAL announced the launch of a large-scale, multi-pronged response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti. It aimed to reach more than 500,000 people over 12 months, with a significant response focus on Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince, where violence was most rife. The effort included multiple international and local partner organizations with significant funding from the US Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Bureau of Humanitarian Affairs (BHA), Irish Aid, and UNICEF. 

Now, 15 months on, the situation in Haiti remains dire, with more than 5.5 million Haitians requiring humanitarian assistance and more than half a million now displaced. More than 4 million people face extreme hunger, including over 1 million who are on the brink of starvation. A power struggle continues to dominate the capital, Port-au-Prince, as rival gangs battle for control over the major port city, and vigilante groups have emerged to counteract gang activities with civilians being caught in the crossfire.  

Amidst the turmoil, GOAL, with the support of international donors, remained steadfast, responding to the dire needs of the population and fulfilling the commitments outlined in the response plan announced in April 2023.  

Nearly half of Haiti’s population suffers from acute hunger, a situation worsened by gangs controlling key transport routes, including up to 90% of the capital, and restricting the movement of and access to essential services and goods, including desperately needed food. To alleviate food insecurity, GOAL and its partners have completed four food voucher distributions and post-distribution monitoring to 5,200 vulnerable households in Carrefour, Martissant, La Saline, and Bas Delmas. 

The rise in violence has also triggered an economic crisis, further debilitating livelihoods. GOAL has focused on economic recovery and market support, assisting over 360 individuals through livelihood restoration programs. GOAL and its partners have also collaborated with over 100 low-income vendors, who have exchanged their food products for vouchers under GOAL’s food voucher program, boosting their sales and income while playing a crucial role in restoring their livelihoods and contributing to the country’s overall food supply chain. 

The urgent need for life-saving aid is compounded by a population traumatised by years of instability and a shattered healthcare system. Gangs have used extreme violence, including rape, kidnappings, and killings, as weapons of war, spreading fear among civilians. This ongoing uncertainty has created a significant gap in psychological support services. GOAL and its partners have helped bridge this gap by providing protection training to nearly 3,000 individuals and offering psychological support to over 3,000 others, including those suffering from PTSD related to armed attacks. 

Speaking about GOAL’s unique position in Haiti, Matt Knight, GOAL Haiti’s County Director said,  

“GOAL has been working in Haiti since 2010, navigating a context marred by ongoing civil, political, and economic instability and frequent extreme weather events. When we launched our large-scale response in April 2023, we were prepared and uniquely positioned to respond. Partnering with international humanitarian organizations and UN agencies, a network of civil society organizations, including some 200 in Port-au-Prince alone, and Haitian government agencies, we had access to the most high-risk areas of Port-au-Prince. Our deep understanding of the context and key players allowed us to respond swiftly and effectively.” 

After three years of zero cholera cases, the deadly disease made a resurgence in Haiti in October 2022 as the escalation in insecurity affected essential services, including water, sanitation and health care. Since April 2023, GOAL, as part of a consortium, responded to the outbreak by implementing key mitigation and response efforts in Port-au-Prince, including:   

• Benefited over 100,000 individuals by enhancing service quality in solid waste management, drainage, and vector control through cash-for-work cleaning campaigns 

• Distribution of 22 handwashing stations to local amenities, including schools and health centres, to minimise the spread of cholera 

• Targeted response to cholera victims with the distribution of over 800 hygiene kits to IDPs in the neighbourhood of Carrefour 

• Integration of 15 schools into GOAL’s WASH-in-school programming  

• Receipt of direct hygiene promotion through a network of community-based organizations to enhance awareness of positive hygiene practices to over 113k individuals  

• Delivery of education on food hygiene, water treatment and exclusive breastfeeding to over 600 caregivers of children 

• Provision of awareness sessions on water, hygiene and sanitation to over 900 from targeted communities and community-based organizations  

Also speaking about GOAL’s impact in Haiti and the plans for continued support, Phil Gelman, GOAL LAC Regional Director, said: 

“GOAL, with partners, has made significant progress in responding to the fragile situation in Haiti. Through this consortium, we have been able to navigate a highly complex environment and address some of the most critical needs of a population devastated by years of unrest. GOAL has been a leading responder in the region since the devastating earthquake in 2010, and we plan to maintain our presence as long as we are needed, continually adapting our programming to meet the needs of those we serve and applying the local knowledge of those we work with.”

Learn more about GOAL’s work in Haiti.