Port-au-Prince - In the volatile neighborhoods of Port-au-Prince, violence is a tragic norm. The most recent clashes between rival gangs and the police in Carrefour Feuilles have displaced thousands of people, many of whom had been uprooted multiple times. The area, plagued by gang violence for years, continues to drive families from their homes, forcing them to start over again and again. 

In the shaded areas of the Virginie sans Peur Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) site, a group of displaced men gather. Their faces, worn by years of violence, reflect both exhaustion and resilience. These men, all from Carrefour Feuilles, a neighborhood south of the Haitian capital, have been displaced not just once but multiple times, as waves of gang violence disrupt their lives with each passing year. For them, displacement has become a brutal cycle, with each new clash forcing them to flee and try rebuilding their lives yet again. 

"Every time the violence gets worse, we run. And when we run, we lose everything. But when we’re together, it’s a little easier", says one of the men. "It’s not just about surviving—it’s about staying human, staying connected. That’s what gets us through."

The community they have built in Virginie sans Peur is their way of fighting back against the uncertainty and fear that displacement brings. Together, they repair shelters, look out for each other and provide each other with the emotional support that only those who have shared such hardships can understand. 

Together, they have created a fragile but vital sense of stability, even as the threat of further violence and displacement looms large. This self-support comes in addition to psychosocial support provided by humanitarian organizations such as the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 

In Virginie sans Peur and many other places, IOM’s assistance ensures that even in the midst of crisis, displaced individuals have access to essential services. IOM provides clean water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities to ensure basic health needs are met, while its protection services safeguard vulnerable people, particularly women and children. 

Psychosocial support, a vital component of IOM’s work, helps those traumatized by repeated displacement to process their experiences and regain a sense of control over their lives. This support is critical in helping vulnerable Haitians maintain their mental health and find the strength to continue forward. 

IOM’s work in Port-au-Prince is made possible thanks to the support of the European Union (EU), through funding from the Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations (ECHO). This vital IOM-EU partnership ensures that displaced communities receive essential services like clean water, sanitation, protection, and psychosocial support. By backing IOM’s efforts, the EU helps restore dignity and hope to those affected by violence and displacement, enabling them to begin rebuilding their lives. 

For more information, please contact ocom@iom.int or alemonnier@iom.int.