Almost 1.5 million Haitians forced from homes as gangs expand beyond the capital
The International Organization for Migration reports that nearly 1.5 million people in Haiti have been displaced, with most now living outside Port-au-Prince as armed gangs spread into rural areas.
A new assessment by the International Organization for Migration indicates that Haiti’s displacement crisis now affects nearly 1.5 million individuals, with roughly four-fifths of them residing beyond Port-au-Prince. The Artibonite department, previously considered a refuge, has experienced the most rapid increase in displaced persons between May and August 2026. Armed gangs, which already dominate the capital, are extending their control into rural districts, exemplified by recent assaults in Kenscoff that forced over 4,000 residents to flee amid reports of arson, kidnappings and killings.
Many of those displaced are living in makeshift camps or collective sites, heightening their exposure to the upcoming hurricane season. IOM Haiti Senior Emergency Coordinator Elise Verron warned that a major storm could trigger an additional humanitarian emergency for families already displaced by violence.
Why it matters
The surge in displacement threatens a humanitarian crisis in Haiti, especially with the approaching hurricane season.
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