(2025) Analyse de la situation des personnes déplacées internes et rapatriées dans la commune de Belladère, Haïti

Situa&on Analysis of Internally Displaced and Repatriated Persons in the Commune of Belladère, Hai& CONTEXT ANALYSIS July-August 2025 © FAO, 2023 Execu&ve Summary The commune of Belladère, the main entry point for people repatriated from the Dominican Republic, and host community for high numbers of IDPs, is facing unprecedented migratory pressure. The massive influx is placing a heavy burden on already fragile host communiAes and on limited local resources. The analysis conducted in July–August 2025 reveals a highly concerning food security situaAon among displaced and repatriated people: nearly 70 percent report poor or borderline food consumpAon. NegaAve coping strategies – such as reducing meals, incurring debt, or engaging in precarious work – are widespread, underscoring their heightened vulnerability. Livelihoods rely on a fragile balance between humanitarian assistance, subsistence farming and small-scale trade. Although nearly 80 percent of displaced and repatriated households have farming experience, the lack of access to inputs, financing and land severely constrains their ability to regain self-reliance. Context increase compared to the same period in 2024. According to IOM’s migra<on inten<ons survey, 90 percent of repatriated persons do not intend to leave Hai< within the next six months, sugges<ng that they are likely to remain and integrate into the economic and social fabric of their host areas. According to the latest Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) analysis of the Interna<onal Organiza<on for Migra<on (IOM) of June 2025, the number of internally displaced persons (IDPs) in Hai< is es<mated at around 1.3 million – nearly 11 percent of the na<onal popula<on. This figure has more than doubled in a single year and con<nues to rise. Provenance of IDPs and repatriated persons At the same <me, the number of Hai<ans forcibly repatriated from neighbouring countries – primarily the Dominican Republic, which accounted for 98 percent of total arrivals in 2024 and 2025 – has sharply increased. More than 128 000 people were repatriated during the first half of 2025, represen<ng a 60 percent rise compared to the same period in 2024, largely due to the <ghtening of migra<on policies in Santo Domingo. Most repatriated persons arrive without resources or support networks, exposed to heightened risks of marginaliza<on, insecurity and poverty, which exacerbate exis<ng vulnerabili<es and overwhelm the absorp<on capaci<es of host communi<es. Source: IOM data analysis, 2025 In addi<on to returnees from neighbouring countries, the Centre department – predominantly rural – is also affected by rising internal displacement. The number of IDPs more than doubled between March and June 2025, driven by large popula<on movements fleeing armed violence in Mirebalais and Saut-d’Eau. The commune of Belladère alone hosts more than 27 000 IDPs, most of them sheltered within host families who rely primarily on agriculture and rural livelihoods. This The rural commune of Belladère, in the Centre department, is the main entry point for people repatriated from the Dominican Republic, accoun<ng alone for more than half of arrivals in 2025. During the first six months of the year, more than 73 000 people entered through Belladère – a 60 percent 1 dynamic places growing pressure on already overstretched host communi<es and on scarce local resources. The food security situa<on of migrants in the rural commune of Belladère is significantly more concerning than that of the general popula<on. Nearly 70 percent report poor or borderline food consump<on, compared with a lower propor<on among host communi<es. Diets are monotonous and poorly diversified: in the communal sec<on of Riaribes, food consump<on relies almost exclusively on rice and herring, while in Roye-Sec it is dominated by tubers, legumes and bananas. Across all sec<ons, fruit, milk and animal proteins are largely absent. The areas most affected include the town centre (Centre-ville), the neighbourhoods of Bois Caïman and Cachiman, and several locali<es in the Roye-Sec and Renthe Mathe sec<ons. Between July and August 2025, an analysis was conducted in the commune of Belladère to provide an updated analysis of the situa<on of both internally displaced and repatriated popula<ons. The study aimed to iden<fy their socio-economic profile, food security status, livelihoods and priority needs, while also highligh<ng their constraints, resilience capaci<es and assistance preferences. These findings are intended to inform more targeted and contextspecific humanitarian and resilience interven<ons, with a focus on the humanitarian–development– peace (HDP) nexus. Difference in Food Consump7on Score (FCS) between the general popula7on and IDPs/repatriated persons in Belladère 22% 42% 35% 25% 43% Food Security Total population 33% Poor (%) Borderline (%) Acceptable (%) PDI and repatrieted Source : ENSSAN, 2024 | FAO, 2025 Migratory pressures are unfolding against an already fragile backdrop of food insecurity: one in two households in the commune of Belladère is food insecure (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 7 percent of its popula<on in severe food insecurity (IPC Phase 4), characterized by highly inadequate food consump<on or a major loss of livelihoods – largely agricultural – leading to significant food deficits. Comparison with the Na<onal Food Security and Nutri<on Survey (Enquête Na+onale sur la Sécurité Alimentaire et Nutri+onnelle, ENSSAN) 2024 and the survey data reveals a significant gap: while 43 percent of households in the commune reported acceptable food consump<on, only 33 percent of displaced and repatriated households reach this level. Conversely, the propor<on of households with poor consump<on climbs to 42 percent among them, nearly double the communal average es<mated at 22 percent. While these results can be partly explained by a general deteriora<on in food security indicators, their magnitude highlights the par<cularly high exposure of these popula<ons to food insecurity. Movements of IDPs affect not only the host areas but also the places of origin. These communi<es see their fields and produc<ve ac<vi<es abandoned by those who leave, resul<ng in a sharp decline in agricultural and food produc<on, as well as a general deteriora<on in service provision. In Belladère, although the security situa<on remains vola<le, local markets are func<onal and accessible to migrants, with bartering and purchases on these markets currently represen<ng their main source of food supply. The reduced Coping Strategies Index (rCSI) further confirms this trend: it averages 21 across all households in Belladère but rises to 37 among displaced and repatriated households. This reflects a heavier reliance on nega<ve mechanisms such as reducing the number of meals, shrinking por<on 2 sizes, taking on debt, or resor<ng to precarious work. These findings point to far greater food stress among displaced and repatriated popula<ons, underlining both their heightened vulnerability and the urgent need for targeted assistance to reduce dependence on harmful coping strategies and to strengthen their food security. agriculture and small trades play only a secondary role, constrained by persistent structural limita<ons. This dependency undermines prospects for selfreliance and highlights the urgent need to strengthen households’ produc<ve and economic capaci<es in a sustainable way to reduce vulnerability. Livelihoods Among migrant households, nearly 7 in 10 are headed by women, ofen isolated and facing both economic responsibili<es and social vulnerabili<es. This reality reflects both increased fragility—linked to the economic and social burden borne by women—and their central role in managing household livelihoods. An analysis of resilience dynamics in the commune of Belladère shows that migrant popula<ons rely on a fragile balance between humanitarian assistance, available means of produc<on and limited local economic opportuni<es. Agriculture con<nues to be an anchor for migrant popula<ons. Before their displacement, one in five repatriated persons currently residing in Belladère worked in agriculture. According to this analysis, more than 90 percent of repatriated persons and 74 percent of IDPs report having agricultural experience. Forced returns and displacement have led to the abandonment or loss of cul<vated land, small livestock, and agricultural tools, undermining their capacity to engage in farming. The lack of access to land, inputs and financial services severely restricts their ability to put this knowledge into prac<ce. Sources of income in the commune of Belladère 13% 22% Agricultural production 6% 2% Trade (including food trade) Transfers (family/friends/diaspora) Self-employment & private sector 57% Civil servants Source : FAO, 2025 In Belladère, the economy is based primarily on subsistence agriculture (57 percent) and peey trade (22 percent), with only limited support from remieances and very few formal employment opportuni<es. Displaced and repatriated popula<ons depend on the same sources, with local varia<ons: § In Roye-Sec, households combine dona<ons with small-scale farming to preserve a degree of autonomy. § In Centre-ville, dona<ons are complemented by informal ac<vi<es (trade, handicrafs, services), allowing par<al diversifica<on of income. § In Renthe Mathe, external aid remains the main source of support, revealing heightened dependency. As a result, displaced and repatriated popula<ons face significant barriers to restar<ng incomegenera<ng ac<vi<es. The absence of reintegra<on support and growing pressure on local resources further aggravate household insecurity. Territorial dispari<es exacerbate these challenges: while Centre-ville benefits from financial infrastructure and services that par<ally support the local economy, rural sec<ons such as Roye-Sec remain completely excluded from such networks, deepening inequali<es. Overall, community resilience remains heavily condi<oned by the availability of external aid, while 3 Assistance and Preferences of the Affected Popula;on favor a more produc<ve combina<on, integra<ng cash transfers with agricultural support. More specifically, demand is concentrated on seeds— par<cularly peanuts and black beans, followed by other secondary crops—and on poultry and goat rearing, while fishing remains marginal. Technical training needs confirm this trend, with priority given to agricultural prac<ces, followed by financial management and entrepreneurship. Access to assistance. Residency status appears to be a major determining factor in access to assistance. Only 9 percent of repatriated persons report having received support, compared with 27 percent of IDPs. This disparity suggests that humanitarian assistance is more concentrated on IDPs, likely due to their greater visibility within aid mechanisms and their longer-standing presence in host areas. Preferences for forms of assistance among IDPs and repatriated persons in Belladère 44% The majority of assistance effec<vely received by households comes from the humanitarian system, followed by religious organiza<ons and, to a lesser extent, community solidarity. This assistance mainly takes the form of essen<al items (tarpaulins, soap, utensils), some<mes accompanied by small food ra<ons or, more rarely, cash transfers. Cash only 56% Cash + agricultural inputs Source : FAO, 2025 While essen<al to mee<ng immediate needs, this assistance remains largely insufficient. It does not address underlying economic vulnerabili<es, nor does it support the recovery of autonomous livelihoods. The limited use of cash transfers and produc<ve support reduces its short-term impact and does not contribute to strengthening the selfreliance of the most vulnerable households. Preferences vary, however, according to gender, status, and educa<on level. Female-headed households express a slightly stronger preference for cash-only assistance (60 percent compared with 47 percent among men). Male-headed households, on the other hand, more frequently request a combina<on of agricultural inputs and cash. These differences may reflect structural dispari<es in access to produc<ve resources and economic networks by gender. Preferences for assistance. Beyond food needs— which remain a clear and most frequently expressed priority among internally displaced persons in Belladère according to IOM data—other priority needs are emerging, going beyond basic consump<on requirements. IDPs are more likely to express a preference for agricultural inputs (23 percent), while repatriated households more ofen request cash transfers combined with livestock support (21 percent). Results indicate that households clearly express a demand for produc<ve support to restart and diversify livelihoods, in addi<on to monetary assistance. In rural areas, priori<es focus primarily on seeds, livestock, and technical training—whether in agriculture, financial management, or entrepreneurship. Educa<on level also influences preferences: households with no formal educa<on overwhelmingly prefer cash-only assistance (88 percent), while university graduates tend to favor combina<ons that include agricultural inputs or livestock (36 percent). While cash assistance remains the preferred modality for 56 percent of households, 44 percent 4 Social Cohesion and Conflict The vast majority of repatriated persons in Hai< do not intend to leave the country within the next six months. This underscores the cri<cal importance of inves<ng in livelihood stabiliza<on as soon as they return. In the absence of short-term prospects for onward movement, these popula<ons are seeling in already fragile areas where economic opportuni<es are limited without further investment. The pressure created by the arrival of migrants in the commune extends beyond economic and foodrelated aspects; it also affects peace and social cohesion. Compe<<on over limited resources—land, precarious jobs, humanitarian assistance—can generate tensions between migrants and host communi<es. Urgent ac<on is needed to support the reintegra<on and stabiliza<on of migrants and to strengthen the resilience of host communi<es by inves<ng in agriculture, livestock and fisheries as pillars of economic self-reliance. Only by enabling these popula<ons to rebuild their lives can the cycle of dependency be broken and las<ng stability achieved. In some contexts, migrants may also be perceived as receiving a dispropor<onate share of assistance, while local communi<es feel that their own needs are not sufficiently addressed. Such percep<ons can fuel frustra<on and increase the risk of internal conflict. Immediate Although social cohesion currently appears to be preserved and no major conflicts have been reported between migrant and host popula<ons, strengthening this cohesion remains essen<al to prevent the emergence of future tensions. § In addi<on to establishing community dialogue spaces and transparent mechanisms for targe<ng and delivering assistance, it is equally important to invest in the empowerment of migrants while suppor<ng vulnerable members of host communi<es. Such an approach can transform a source of fragility—poten<ally genera<ng conflict over resources—into a produc<ve capacity that contributes to the economic development of the area and, more broadly, of the country. § Combine cash transfers with emergency food produc<on (short-cycle seeds, small ruminants, market gardening kits) for households with agricultural poten<al, in order to quickly increase local food availability. Strengthen protec<on for isolated femaleheaded households by combining financial assistance, tailored produc<ve support, and access to land or small livestock. Short term § Recommenda;ons § In this context, it is impera1ve to restore livelihoods. Beyond being among the most preferred forms of support expressed by migrants, they remain essen1al to foster stabiliza1on, reduce the risk of conflict and revive income-genera1ng ac1vi1es, thereby strengthening self-reliance and reducing dependence on humanitarian assistance. § § 5 Scale up agricultural recovery programs by distribu<ng improved seeds, tools and small livestock, combined with technical training to maximize produc<ve impact. Develop cash-for-work interven<ons focused on rehabilita<ng agricultural and rural infrastructure (irriga<on basins, feeder roads, local markets), which simultaneously provide temporary employment, strengthen community resilience, and increase access to produc<ve assets. Promote microcredit schemes and local coopera<ves to support the processing and marke<ng of agricultural products. Establish community dialogue spaces to reduce social tensions and strengthen cohesion around the management of produc<ve resources. Methodological note. The survey combined a quan<ta<ve approach, based on a representa<ve sample of 365 households (80 percent displaced and 20 percent repatriated) in the commune of Belladère, and a qualita<ve approach using interviews and focus group discussions. This mix enabled both a measurement of the scale of needs and the collec<on of lived experiences, coping strategies and priori<es expressed by affected popula<ons, providing both sta<s<cal and contextual insights into their situa<on. Medium term • • • Establish ins<tu<onal mechanisms for social protec<on and secure access to land, integra<ng displaced and repatriated popula<ons into agricultural policies. Promote sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture, integra<ng vulnerable households into local and na<onal value chains. Foster the social and economic inclusion of repatriated popula<ons through adapted public policies, strengthening their contribu<on to local development and reducing dependency on external aid. A more detailed version of the analysis, as well as disaggregated data, is available upon request. Contact Sources • • • • FAO Representa<on in Hai< FAO-HT@fao.org Food and Agriculture Organiza<on of the United Na<ons (FAO), 2025. Coordina<on Na<onale de la Sécurité Alimentaire (CNSA). Enquête Na+onale sur la Sécurité Alimentaire et Nutri+onnelle, 2024. Port-au-Prince, Hai<. Integrated Food Security Phase Classifica<on (IPC). Hai<, September 2024. Interna<onal Organiza<on for Migra<on (IOM), 2025. Food and Agriculture Organiza<on of the United Na<ons | © FAO, 2025 6