iciHaiti – DR : Towards better care for repatriated Haitians

The recently established Tripartite Technical Unit, comprising the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES), the National Office of Migration (ONM), and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), tasked with strengthening the ONM’s technical capacity, conducted a week-long mission to the North and Northeast departments to better understand the situation of migrants and the reception conditions, with a view to proposing optimized solutions for their care.

During the week, several strategic meetings and visits took place. This included a visit to Cap-Haïtien airport, where members of the Unit observed the repatriation process of several dozen migrants. These operations allowed them to assess the current challenges and shortcomings in the management of returnees and to draw lessons to improve the social integration of these migrants in their country.

The Unit continued its work at the Ouanaminthe border crossing, where it visited the reception facilities established in collaboration with several partners, including the International Organization for Migration (IOM), the Ministry of Public Health, and the National Identification Office. These facilities aim to provide concrete and well-structured assistance to migrants.

This visit continued with a targeted meeting with local stakeholders, including the Ouanaminthe Women’s Association, Mayor Luma Démétrius, and other key figures involved in supporting migrants returning from the neighboring Republic.

These discussions allowed these various stakeholders to share their experiences and suggest sustainable solutions to the problems encountered.

Lucie Edmond, Secretary of the Unit, took this opportunity to reiterate the ambitions of this tripartite initiative. These priorities include training professionals involved in migrant reception, improving existing standards and protocols, and establishing a robust monitoring and evaluation system to measure the impact of the actions undertaken.

To achieve her objectives, she emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogue between the parties involved, facilitated by regular coordination meetings. She also recommended an in-depth study of the ONM’s resources, the development of a strategic strengthening plan, and the adoption of harmonized protocols supported by rigorous support.

IH/ iciHaiti