Haiti - The results of a study produced by IOM and the Brookings Institution entitled: “Supporting durable solutions to urban, post-disaster displacement: Challenges and opportunities in Haiti” are being presented today at IOM’s Headquarters in Geneva.

The result of a collaboration between IOM and the Brookings Institution, the study examines the question of durable solutions to internal displacement in Port-au-Prince, recognizing that the challenges faced in Haiti may be a source of insight for responses to other urban, post-disaster displacement crises. These are expected to become more common in the future due to the adverse effects of climate change and increasing urbanization.

The quantitative and qualitative research draws on the results of focus groups in camps and communities, site visits, and in-depth interviews with government officials, donors, local and international NGO representatives, and the staff of international organizations, as well as a detailed survey of 2,576 households in Port-au-Prince.

“In a deeply impoverished, urban, post-disaster situation, where vulnerability to future disasters remains high, this study provides an insightful analysis of the concept of ‘durable solutions.’ Its recommendations will allow humanitarian and development actors to better support displaced people in Haiti,” said IOM Deputy Director General Laura Thompson.

Four years after the devastating earthquake that struck Haiti in January 2010, approximately 147,000 internally displaced people (IDPs) remain in 271 camps, and countless others remain displaced outside camps.

While progress has been made in providing interim, humanitarian support for IDPs to leave camps, a number of challenges still lie ahead for the displaced population. As the findings of the study show, IDPs (both camp-based and those outside camps) are still in a more vulnerable position compared with the non-IDP population as a consequence of having been uprooted from their homes and livelihoods.

Under Government of Haiti and IOM leadership, the Camp Coordination Camp Management/Shelter Cluster in Haiti has incorporated some of the recommendations of the study into the 2014 Strategic Response Plan for the humanitarian community.

In particular it focuses on enhancing cross-sectoral support for durable solutions and promoting alternative and differentiated support for IDPs remaining in camps, as well as enhancing disaster risk reduction strategies as a key component of durable solutions and prevention of further displacement.

The joint IOM-Brookings report can be downloaded from: http://publications.iom.int/bookstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=41_7&products_id=1055

For more information, please contact

Ilaria Lanzoni
IOM Haiti
Email: ilanzoni@iom.int
Tel:. +509 3702 5066