Migrant Assistance

Migrants are often more vulnerable to human rights violations than other members of the population. In Haiti’s migration context, the risks to which migrants are exposed include human trafficking, potential abuse by authorities, and lack of access to health care. IOM Haiti provides critical protection services to migrants in various situations, including through direct services and referrals to specialized actors, and capacity building for state actors to ensure the protection of migrants through training and coordination meetings. 

IOM provides emergency assistance to Haitians repatriated in extremely vulnerable conditions. Depending on individual needs, repatriated migrants are assisted with psychosocial support, medical examinations and family reunification. IOM also provides specific assistance in case of trafficking, has developed operating procedures for the management of such cases, and initiated the creation of the “Cellule de lutte contre la traite” to bring together the main national actors in combatting trafficking. 

To cover specific needs, IOM works hand-in-hand with a large number of partners to whom protection cases are being transferred, including cases of unaccompanied minor children, migrants with disabilities and victims of gender-based violence. To strengthen the capacity of state actors, IOM regularly organizes training on migrant protection and related topics. 

All too often, migrants are not properly informed about the risks of irregular migration, and smugglers take advantage of migrants’ hopes. In order to raise awareness about the risks related to irregular migration, IOM has carried out several campaigns to raise awareness. The activities include discussion groups, the broadcasting of messages via sound trucks and radio stations, or the participatory painting workshops using the experiences and stories shared by migrants and the local population. 

The needs of migrants and other members of affected populations are at the heart of IOM’s operations, and it is to these populations that IOM is accountable for its activities. To ensure the quality and relevance of programs, IOM Haiti provides several channels through which members of affected populations can get in touch with IOM, including focus groups, community meetings, interviews, social networks and IOM’s toll-free number (8840).