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Waves of Haitians risk treacherous sea journey to find better life |


“I was trying to reach the Turks and Caicos Islands, but my boat capsized at sea. If there is a chance to start my own business, I will stay in Haiti. ”

The story of Jacques* a 32-year-old father from Limonade on the north coast of Haiti is perhaps typical of the increasing number of people trying to leave the Caribbean country in informal and undocumented ways. Invalid.

Many people travel in overcrowded and incapacitated boats in the hope of reaching neighboring countries such as the Turks and Caicos Islands and the Bahamas. From there, some attempted to continue to the United States.


'Jacques' is interviewed by IOM staff after passing by boat.

IOM

‘Jacques’ is interviewed by IOM staff after passing by boat.

Migration trend is increasing

It is difficult to calculate the exact extent of the number of people leaving Haiti: however, the United Nations International Organization for Migration (International Organization for Migration)IOM) said the Haitian Coast Guard intercepted at least 224 migrants at sea in 2020 and 605 in 2021.

And in October 2021, about 1,194 migrants, mostly men trying to reach Miami in the US state of Florida, were repatriated to Haiti. They came ashore after their boat ran out of fuel and experienced engine problems south of Cuba, where they were detained by authorities.

“More and more migrants from Haiti are making the perilous journey by sea in the hope of reaching another country,” said IOM Migrant Support Project Manager Claire Gaulin.

“They are driven by a number of factors, including insecurity, lack of work and other opportunities back home. In some cases, people have left because their properties or livelihoods were destroyed by the earthquake that struck the southwest of the country in August. They all have one thing in common,” she added. “They are looking for a better future for themselves and their families.”

‘Regular’ network outages

The IOM’s goal is not to prevent migrants from leaving Haiti by boat or other means, but to promote what is known as “regular”, safe, orderly and so-called “migration”. frequent migration”.

Migrants who are intercepted at sea or repatriated from other countries are the lucky ones. Many did not survive the trip; The IOM said that “it is common for passengers on board to die”.

People who migrate by boat, rather than by air, are often vulnerable people from rural areas. Usually, they have to sell their property or borrow money from loan sharks with high repayment fees to pay for the cost of crossing the sea, which averages around $350-$700 depending on boat type and destination, but can be up to up to $7,000.


Murals have been painted at the main departure points to warn of the dangers of migrating by sea.

IOM

Murals have been painted at the main departure points to warn of the dangers of migrating by sea.

Support at home

After they return to Haiti, IOM, with the support of its partners, provides migrants with a range of services to ease their return to life in their home country. Migrants are provided with food and water upon arrival, and medical, psychological and legal assistance is available.

They also receive a small sum to cover a safe journey home and can access information using the IOM’s dedicated phone hotline: many migrants do not fully understand the risks they face. face when trying to cross the sea, so the IOM has focused on raising awareness among those tempted to try.

Many migrants say they do not intend to leave Haiti forever, but will return when they are able to save money or send it home as remittances to improve their families’ living conditions.

Claire Gaulin said: “To prevent migrants from risking their lives, it is fundamental to provide them with job opportunities in Haiti and to ensure that living conditions and access to basic services are maintained. improve.

United Nations agencies in Haiti are working with IOM to provide a full range of services including education, health and Social Protection as well as create good job that will encourage people to stay at home.

Back in Limonade, Jacques is still recovering from his migration attempt in January. He cannot sleep at night because of the injury he suffered when the boat capsized, he prefers to spend the money he received from IOM to send his son to school than to treat the injury, lamented that if he were in better health “I would be able to look for opportunities and build my life again. ”

* Not his real name



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