The Haitian people are suffering from the chaos of government collapse and violent instability fueled by gang warfare. Now, as the country prepares to enter a likely record-breaking hurricane season, climate change and the forced return of vulnerable migrants could further exacerbate these political and humanitarian challenges.
At this crisis moment, the U.S. can do more to help Haiti address the intersecting challenges it faces.
Haiti has faced centuries of challenges, most recently following the 2021 assassination of democratically elected President Jovenel Moïse. An unrepresentative and unelected government then assumed power with Ariel Henry at the head. Despite promises to hold elections, Henry never followed through. Haiti’s new Prime Minister Garry Conille, selected by a transitional political council, will face the same difficulties in holding elections during a time of humanitarian crisis.
Long-simmering unrest came to a head early this year as armed gangs swarmed and overtook 80% of Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince. Thousands have been killed, kidnapped, and assaulted as a result. Hundreds of thousands are displaced and sheltering in tent camps, empty lots, and re-purposed schools.
As Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, “only the Haitian people should determine their own future – not anyone else.” At this crisis moment, the U.S. can do more to help create the conditions that will enable them to have that opportunity.
Perils of Peacekeeping
Haitians need to be able to determine their own future with international partnerships, not military pressure. A Kenyan peacekeeping force, whose first 400 officers landed on the ground in late June, will not address the roots of violence. Instead, their presence could further rupture communities and sow the seeds of future violence.
President Biden recently shored up U.S. ties to Kenya with a state visit in late May from President William Ruto. The U.S. should be supporting the same kind of relationship-building and people-to-people discussions with Haiti.
Experts warn that the global community risks a humanitarian and security catastrophe if Haiti collapses further.
Experts warn that the global community risks a humanitarian and security catastrophe if Haiti collapses further. Such a collapse would cause heightened waves of migration, weapons and drug trafficking in the region, and a cataclysmic level of human suffering.
Haiti needs a long-term strategy involving all levels of society to secure lasting peace and stable rebuilding. This should include access to jobs, education, and basic services alongside the reconstruction of Haitian democracy and good governance.
Displacement Intensifies the Crisis
More than 360,000 Haitians are internally displaced, including more than 15,000 since February alone.
Rather than responding boldly with humanitarian migration pathways, the international community has responded with a slew of militarized deterrence policies. These include: the Dominican Republic closing its shared border and airspace; the Bahamas and the United Kingdom disbursing military ships to block Haitians seeking refuge; and U.S. federal and state authorities increasing military sea and air patrols in the region. The Biden administration has also resumed repatriation flights, forcing migrants to return to Haiti despite the ongoing crisis.
The human insecurity caused by displacement intensifies Haiti’s humanitarian crisis. Coupled with climate risks, denying individuals safe passage and protection will only incite more harm.
The Need for Climate Solutions
As the looming Hurricane season underscores, the situation in Haiti will only become more dire as climate change worsens.
The Global Climate Risk Index ranks Haiti as the single most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change, while the World Bank estimates that 96% of Haitians face many climate-related risks.
The Global Climate Risk Index ranks Haiti as the single most vulnerable country to the impacts of climate change.
Haiti’s agricultural sector, the backbone of its economy, has been affected by soil erosion, droughts, and flooding. These problems destroy crops, disrupt food supplies, and raise prices, making it inaccessible to many and worsening food insecurity.
In particular, Haiti needs to build food systems and infrastructure that can withstand these climate challenges. To that end, international climate assistance is necessary to help Haiti become more resilient to the climate crisis and to support sustainable development.
The U.S. must do more to support a Haitian-led response to these issues by increasing aid, protecting migrants, and generating long-term stability to support peace, justice, and environmental stewardship.
