In a press release, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) informs that no less than 33,000 people have abandoned the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince under pressure from gangs, the displaced are heading largely towards the Deep South.
Port-au-Prince, March 22, 2024. According to the IOM, attacks and general insecurity have not only caused displacement in Port-au-Prince but are forcing more and more people to flee the capital for take refuge in the provinces.
They take the risk of traveling on roads controlled by gangs, underlines the IOM.
The organization claims to have collected its data at the busiest bus stations. She said she noted that more than 33,333 people left the capital between March 8 and 20.
They mainly headed towards the Deep South which, recalls the IOM, is already welcoming around 116,000 people who had fled the capital in recent months.
The IOM emphasizes that these provincial towns do not have sufficient infrastructure and that the host communities do not have sufficient resources to cope with these massive displacements from Port-au-Prince.
Faced with an increase in violence in the capital, the authorities have declared a state of emergency in the western department until April 3. A three-day curfew, already renewed several times, is also in force.
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