Insecurity in Haiti continues to escalate. Haitian women and girls are particularly vulnerable as many are victims of extremely violent sexual assaults by gang members leading many families to flee to rural areas for refuge.
According to a UN report, 1.3 million people have fled their homes due to gang violence, with thousands more displaced because the Dominican Republic or the US is deporting them. In November 2024 the Dominican Republic announced a plan to deport 10,000 Haitians per month. In May 2025 they deported 34,190 and in June 2025 they deported 30,700.
Many displaced and deportees are ending up in Gros Morne. Our local partners at LaChandler Parish reached out to Quixote Center and together we launched an emergency campaign to create a cash assistance program for these displaced families. With the generous contributions over 100 donors, Quixote Center sent two disbursements of $15,305, the first in May 2025, and the second in July.
During the second disbursement in July 2025, they added 13 new families to the program, to reach a total of 270 families, mostly composed of women. Every recipient has shown immense gratitude for this help, which despite being modest, makes a big difference in their lives.
We are working with our partners to reach more displaced families in Gros Morne and make sure they can enroll their kids in school as the new academic year is about to start. While many schools have had to close due to gang activity, all the schools in Gros Morne are operational. We are also exploring ways to provide more income-generating assistance so that families can cover their own needs in the future. We plan to reach at least 500 families and keep the assistance program going at least until the end of the year.
This endeavor couldn't have been possible without your generous support. Thank you!
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