At the Parc 10 IDP site, 15-year-old Jonathan sits inside an old bus that has become his temporary home. His gaze drifts through the cracked window, watching the world outside with a mixture of longing and reflection. “I miss school,” he says quietly. “I used to go every day. Now I just wait, hoping things will get better.” 

Jonathan’s family fled Carrefour Feuilles when the violence intensified, seeking refuge in Parc 10—a former garage now transformed into a giant shelter for hundreds of displaced people. For teenagers like him, displacement has stolen more than just a home—it has taken away the normalcy of adolescence. His days, once filled with learning and playing with friends, are now consumed by uncertainty. 

I miss my friends. I miss learning. One day, I want to be a teacher. I want to help other kids, like my teacher helped and inspired me.

For displaced children and youth, the consequences of violence are especially profound, shaping their lives from the very beginning, rooting them in poverty. 

Parc 10 is no ordinary IDP site. Originally a functioning garage, it now hosts over 1,300 displaced individuals who live amidst the buses and cars that once served a different purpose. The vehicles, abandoned but not forgotten, now provide shelter for families with nowhere else to go. Life here is a strange blend of the past and present mechanics continue their work on cars, while families carve out routines amid the mechanical hum of tools and engines. 

The conditions are far from ideal. Privacy is a rare commodity, and the buses, though better than nothing, offer little comfort. Yet, the displaced individuals here have adapted, making the best of a difficult situation. 

As the day draws to a close in Parc 10, the sight of people living in abandoned buses serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by displaced communities in Port-au-Prince. These vehicles, once symbols of mobility and progress, now stand as immobile shelters for families who have lost everything. Yet even in these difficult conditions, the people here show an impressive spirit of endurance. 

Their strength lies not just in survival, but in their ability to adapt and rebuild. Whether it’s men forming new communities, mothers protecting their children, or teenagers holding on to their dreams, displaced people in Port-au-Prince demonstrate resilience in the face of adversity. 

Behind each of these stories is the crucial support provided by the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (UNCERF) plays a vital role in enabling IOM to assist displaced individuals in Port-au-Prince. Thanks to UNCERF funding, IOM ensures access to emergency shelter, health services, and protection for vulnerable families affected by the ongoing violence. This crucial support allows IOM to respond rapidly to urgent needs, providing displaced communities with a foundation of security and stability as they rebuild their lives.