This project will help: 34,442 families
Estimated completion date: June 30, 2025
Country: Haiti
Executive summary
The complex political situation in Haiti has placed most families there in highly vulnerable circumstances. Armed groups have taken over many communities, leaving local police forces unable to ensure the safety and security of the affected populations. In many communities, families fled without knowing where to go. Children and their parents end up frequently moving from place to place, making it difficult for children to establish themselves in school, complete their education or form meaningful relationships.
Compassion’s frontline church partners in Haiti know the situation is dire for many families living in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding cities. Here, many displaced groups live in crowded temporary shelters or camps that lack basic sanitation and access to nutritious meals. Many families fled their homes with their dogs or cats and are now forced to live in cramped shelters with their pets, creating unsanitary conditions for their children. At these camps, many children go without daily food and water—a serious challenge especially during heat waves, which are common in the area. Without any income, caregivers must rely on donations to meet their daily needs.
While these temporary camps and shelters have served as a relatively safe location, they were not set up to be a permanent solution. Families need access to adequate housing, food and water, as well as safe and stable living conditions. Children need stability, safe homes and nourishing meals to grow into confident adults prepared for a bright and successful future, where they can pursue their dreams and contribute positively to their communities. Without these necessities, their situation remains precarious and unsustainable.
With your support, Compassion will work with 82 frontline church partners in Haiti to provide 34,442 Compassion-assisted families and centre staff with relief and support depending on their needs. Your gift will help move 3,442 families out of dangerous camps and provide 31,000 families with emergency relief through the distribution of food and hygiene kits or monetary gifts to purchase these items. Frontline church partners will also receive resources to help non-registered families in their communities. Families who receive monetary support will be advised on how to use their funds to best support their families.
Summary
Background
According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, an increase in violence caused by criminal gangs in Haiti caused 121,000 people to become displaced in 2022. Criminal groups gained control of more than 60 per cent of the capital city, Port-au-Prince. The study also found that 88 per cent of 171,000 total displaced people live in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. Many have been away from their homes for more than a year and 75 per cent of families have sought shelter in other communities due to a lack of official shelters or centers in their community.
Many families have been forced to flee their communities to avoid violence. Sadly, some families have already lost family members and are seeking safe shelter in camps around the country. However, these camps are not long-term solutions and often lack basic necessities such as food, water and sanitary services. Many caregivers cannot afford to purchase food for their children due to skyrocketing cost of food and goods. Widespread criminal activity and fuel shortages continue to impact inflation, leaving many displaced families in highly vulnerable situations. The security situation is dynamic, and the National Office is monitoring the situation to identify the best options to continue to serve families most in need.
The need
Children growing up in Port-au-Prince and the surrounding communities face an uncertain future. Political instability, widespread criminal activity and the surging cost of necessities has put thousands of children’s futures at risk. Children need safe shelter, nourishing food, sanitation facilities and clean water—without these essentials, their well-being and opportunities for a stable future will be gravely compromised.
Addressing these needs is crucial to ensure children grow up in an environment that supports their development and safety. With your support, 34,442 families in Haiti will receive the emergency support and relief needed to escape dangerous living conditions and meet their basic needs. Of these families, Compassion’s frontline churches will help 3,442 displaced families find safe shelter outside of temporary camps. In addition, 31,000 families and centre staff who still live in their homes will receive food and hygiene kits or cash gifts, allowing caregivers to provide nutritious meals and sanitary products to their children. Finally, the 82 frontline church partners will also receive funding to provide emergency relief to families in their communities not registered in the Compassion program.
What your gift will do
Your gift will provide emergency relief for a total of 34,442 families in Haiti facing crisis, including:
- Housing for 3,442 displaced families
- Food and hygiene kits or cash gift for 31,000 families and centre staff
- Housing and food and hygiene kits or cash gifts for non-registered families
- Back to school support funds for children
Logistics
- Local contribution: Since this is an emergency relief intervention, no local contribution is required.
- Handling of funds: Compassion Haiti will work with the frontline church partners to ensure this project stays within budget.
- Monitoring and follow-up: Compassion Haiti will distribute the funding to the participating frontline church partners. Each church partner will form an advisory committee including Compassion centre directors and accountants to advise families on how to access and spend the funds to avoid misuse. The team will continue to monitor the risk of violence in neighbouring communities and will guide displaced families on multiple options to find safe shelter. An audit will be conducted at the end of the intervention to ensure all the funds were used correctly.