A safety assessment in Haiti needs to consider two different risk areas. Natural hazards include earthquakes, tropical storms and hurricanes, heavy rain, floods, coastal flooding, landslides and drought. About 96% of the population faces at least one geological or weather-related hazard. These events can cause building collapse, damage roads and bridges, interrupt water, sanitation and electricity services, and create evacuation or urgent shelter needs. Crime risks include killings, armed robbery, carjacking, kidnapping for ransom, extortion, sexual violence, theft, property destruction, firearms and stray bullets. Gang control and violence affect parts of Ouest, Port-au-Prince, Artibonite and Centre, as well as major transport routes. Local conditions can change quickly. The Police Nationale d’Haïti (PNH) and specialized services provide formal reporting and support, but access and response are not reliable everywhere. A useful assessment therefore considers the exact location, current conditions, transport routes, emergency access and the ability to obtain shelter, communication and assistance.
Safety in Haiti
Safety in Haiti includes both disaster risks and crime risks. Earthquakes, tropical storms, floods, landslides and drought can damage buildings, roads and essential services, while killings, armed robbery, kidnapping, extortion and sexual violence create security threats. Conditions vary by location and can change quickly.
Tip
Treat safety planning in Haiti as two linked checks: natural-hazard exposure and crime exposure. The exact location, travel routes, access to shelter and essential services, communication options, and realistic access to assistance should determine whether a plan is workable.