Citizens forced to flee their communities internally, and those who have become migrants—the latter returned to Haiti this January—are victims of the crisis created by armed gangs operating without any control from the authorities, added the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

According to a report by the organization, the continued deterioration of the political and security situation exacerbates the vulnerability of the population and forces thousands of families to abandon their homes without preparation or essential administrative documents.

The crisis—the IOM emphasizes—is reaching critical levels, as the aggression of armed groups is causing further mass displacements and permanently transforming the country’s humanitarian landscape.

Some 52,000 people received direct assistance from the organization and its partners this January, through interventions that included access to safe drinking water and sanitation services.

IOM also distributed non-food items to 18,539 beneficiaries; provided medical and psychosocial services to approximately 8,700; and offered support to 55 settlements of internally displaced Haitians.

The organization also stated that it continues its community stabilization efforts, in collaboration with national authorities and local organizations, to create the necessary conditions for a gradual recovery.

abo/arm/mem/apb