Haiti's Camp Population Still Falling, but Great Challenges Remain
Haitians who were made homeless by the January 12, 2010 earthquake
are leaving the displacement camps in growing numbers. An important
turning point has been achieved with the number of internally
displaced persons (IDPs) remaining in sites now less than half of
what it was at the peak of the crisis (1.5 million).
IOM, in support of the Camp Coordination and Camp Management
(CCCM) cluster in Haiti estimates the camp population at 680,000
today, revealing a continuing downward trend, albeit at a slightly
slower pace than at the end of last year.
The reasons behind the continued departure from camps are
multiple. They range from people moving into transitional shelters
and durable houses, to rising evictions, insecurity, deteriorating
sanitary conditions and declining services in camps according to a
joint statement by the IOM and the United Nations in Haiti.
Links
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"Overall the report confirms the need for concerted efforts to
continue this downward trend while we seek durable and dignified
livelihoods and housing solutions for the 680,000 IDPs still living
in tents as well as for the communities of return," said IOM's
Haiti Chief of Mission Luca Dall'oglio.
Along with the decrease in the camp population has come a
corresponding decrease in the number of camps, with 1,061 sites
remaining today from a high of 1,555 in July 2010.
Preliminary findings, however, also indicate that some 50 per
cent of former camp residents leave camp settings for precarious
housing situations.
"Our report shows that those leaving the camps are adding to the
already grave housing crisis," said Dall'oglio. "As many as half
move into tents near their former homes, others double up with
friends and family or more disturbingly move into unsafe houses. At
first sight, the substantial decrease in camp populations might
seem to be good news. But the fact that some families have left
camps under duress without housing solutions is a major concern. As
a result we are redoubling our efforts to deliver solutions."
Most Camp Management Agencies and the Camp Management Officers
have given notice that they are withdrawing from direct camp
management between April and July 2011, largely due to lack of
funding. Pressure to deliver housing solutions for returning IDPs
is growing as the push factors sending people from camps also
increases.
IOM is working with the Interim Commission for the
Reconstruction of Haiti (IHRC) to help meet the growing demand for
housing in well serviced healthy communities as the camps continue
to empty. But resources are urgently needed in what has become a
race against time to provide families with a smooth transition in
the move from camps to communities.
The full DTM report is available at
"paragraph-link-no-underline" href=
"http://www.cccmhaiti.Info">www.cccmhaiti.Info and
"paragraph-link-no-underline" href=
"http://www.iomhaiti.com">www.iomhaiti.com
There are also video interviews in creole with earthquake
victims who have returned to condemned homes at
"paragraph-link-no-underline" href=
"http://www.citizenhaiti.org">www.citizenhaiti.org
For more information contact:
Leonard Doyle
IOM Haiti
Tel: + 509 3702 5066
E-mail:
"mailto:ldoyle@iom.int">ldoyle@iom.int