IOM continues to conduct the registration process of internally
displaced persons (IDPs), in order to identify areas of origin and
the overall situation of displaced families. The registration
provides key information to partners involved in house assessment,
debris removal, and relocation of the displaced, either to
transitional settlements near their area of origin, or in new
planned sites.

"IOM is following a holistic approach. Through the registration
exercises, we will have a better understanding of the demographics
of the population residing in the camps and their intentions,"
explains Giovanni Cassani, Coordinator of the Camp Coordination and
Camp Management Group.

"We are striving to assist the displaced population in realizing
the option that they are choosing, and that they consider the most
appropriate for themselves. To this end, IOM is collecting
information that will support partners to implement each of the
five options that are available to the displaced," continues
Cassani.

These five options include:

1. Returning to their homes if they are considered safe.
2. Returning to a safe plot from which the debris has been
   removed.
3. Staying with a host family.
4. Staying temporarily in a site in proximity to their area of
   origin, or, where possible, staying in an existing spontaneous
   site.
5. For those who do not have another option, temporarily
   relocating to planned sites identified by the Government of
   Haiti.

In order to capture crucial information regarding the number and
the location of spontaneous sites, IOM has established a
displacement tracking tool, which is regularly updated.

The Displacement Tracking Matrix has identified close to 500
sites, accommodating upwards of 1,200,000 individuals within the
Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The identification of those sites
is a constant and ongoing process that is undertaken with the
support of government and humanitarian stakeholders.

At least 50 sites have a population of more than 5,000
individuals each, accounting for half of the displaced population
living in spontaneous sites in the city of Port-au-Prince.

Seventeen sites at high risk of flooding and/or mudslide have
been prioritized for decongestion. Those priority sites alone host
a population of 245,000 individuals. Families in all these sites
are in the process of being registered, through field assessments
conducted by IOM teams in coordination with the US Military and
national authorities, in order to evaluate the possible impacts of
the upcoming rain.

In other earthquake-affected areas, including Leogane, Gressier,
Petit Goave, Grand Goave and Jacmel, vulnerability assessments are
also being conducted to identify priority sites where people may
face risks associated with flooding and other environmental
hazards.

Meanwhile, IOM continues new site planning activities in order
to facilitate the relocation of the displaced people for whom no
other option is viable.

One of the first planned transitional settlements, Santo 17, is
located in the town of Croix-des-Bouquets and was officially opened
on 13 March. Zone 1 and 2 of Santo 17 are now completed with 130
family tents provided by IOM. Additional families will come from
two other spontaneous sites within the municipality of
Croix-des-Bouquets. The site extends on 4.5 hectares and is
expected to shelter 1,400 displaced individuals.

Groundwork is underway at "Tabarre Issa", a 10-hectare site that
should receive around 3,000 displaced individuals. IOM is
overseeing site preparation efforts there, in coordination with the
UN Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).

For more information, please contact:

Bertrand Martin

IOM Port-au-Prince

Tel: +509 3859 8619

E-mail: "mailto:bmartin@iom.int">bmartin@iom.int

or

Mark Turner

Tel: +509 3702 5066

E-mail: "mailto:mturner@iom.int">mturner@iom.int