IOM Chief Calls for Urgent Global Support as Haiti’s Humanitarian Crisis Deepens

As Haiti faces a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis, Director General of the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), Amy Pope, is calling on the global community to urgently increase support for displaced families struggling amid violence and instability.

During a recent high-level visit to Port-au-Prince, Pope met with families displaced by gang violence, many of whom have fled their homes multiple times. Over 1 million people are now displaced inside Haiti—three times more than last year—while nearly 200,000 were deported from neighbouring countries in 2024, placing immense strain on already overwhelmed services.

“This is one of the most complex and urgent crises in the world,” said Pope. “When we invest in humanitarian aid, we don’t just save lives—we build the foundations for stability and resilience.”

Pope described meeting a mother who had fled her home three times in two months, now sheltering under a tarp with her children. “These are not just numbers. These are real lives caught in a cycle of crisis.”

While in Haiti, Pope met with government officials to explore solutions for improving migration governance, expanding access to legal documentation, and strengthening reintegration efforts.

IOM is currently leading humanitarian operations at more than 50 displacement sites, providing emergency shelter, water and sanitation, protection services, and support for rebuilding infrastructure and livelihoods in affected communities.