UN warns of rights violations as more pregnant women deported to Haiti

The United Nations Humanitarian Country Team (HCT) in Haiti is raising alarm over the growing number of vulnerable Haitian women — particularly those who are pregnant or breastfeeding — being deported from the Dominican Republic, in what the team calls a violation of international humanitarian standards.

- Advertisement -

According to the latest data from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 20,000 individuals — including a growing number of highly vulnerable women — were deported by land in April 2025, marking a record number for a one-month period. At the Belladère and Ouanaminthe border crossings, the National Office for Migration (ONM) and IOM, in coordination with other partners, have assisted an average of 15 pregnant women and 15 breastfeeding mothers per day since 22 April.

“It is imperative that commitments to protecting vulnerable populations are upheld. These expulsions raise serious humanitarian and human rights concerns, particularly when they involve pregnant women or mothers with very young children,” said Ulrika Richardson, United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator in Haiti.

These deportations compound an already complex humanitarian crisis affecting millions of people across the country. Armed violence in several regions has displaced more than one million individuals.

In addition, food insecurity continues to worsen nationwide. Over 5.7 million people — half the population — are currently facing acute food insecurity, with pockets of near-famine conditions.

In response to this situation, United Nations agencies and their humanitarian partners, in coordination with Haitian authorities, are mobilizing to address the most urgent needs — including through the provision of safe drinking water, adapted hygiene kits, medical care, temporary shelter, psychosocial support, and food assistance.

The Humanitarian Country Team is urging regional governments to adopt migration policies that respect human dignity and to show greater solidarity in addressing a crisis that increasingly transcends national borders.

 

More Stories

St. Vincent airport

St. Vincent leads Caribbean in US tourist growth for Q1 2025

The government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is forecasting continued record-breaking stay-over arrivals for the second quarter of 2025, buoyed by strong hotel...
Trinidad deportees

Trinidad nationals with ‘significant’ criminal records deported from US

A joint operation between U.S. officials and Trinidad and Tobago authorities facilitated the arrival of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement deportation charter flight...
St. Kitts airport Saint Kitts

Saint Kitts and Nevis warns travelers against fake e-visa websites and apps

The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has issued an urgent advisory warning travelers to avoid unauthorized websites and mobile apps falsely advertising Electronic...
Barbados PM Mia Mottley calls for greater collaboration to tackle regional issues

Barbados to allow wiretap evidence, lie detector tests in national security overhaul

Prime Minister Mia Mottley has announced plans to introduce new legislation that will overhaul Barbados’ national security framework, including provisions to make wireless surveillance...
Guyana's Vice President Bharrat Jagdeo

Guyana to set new terms for Cuban health workers

The Guyana government says it will introduce new conditions for employing Cuban health professionals as it prepares for the “aggressive” recruitment of foreign nurses...
Jamaica sees positive trends in inflation and unemployment rate

Antigua and Barbuda records easing inflation rate

Antigua and Barbuda’s inflation rate rose by 4.0% over the 12-month period ending February 2025, marking the slowest annual increase in consumer prices since...
haitians deported migrants

DHS ends parole program for Haitians, Cubans; urges immediate self-deportation

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Thursday that it has begun issuing termination notices to individuals paroled into the United States under...
Tourism Entertainment Academy

Jamaica opens Tourism Entertainment Academy: Reggae, jazz, and comedy talents wanted

Talented Jamaicans in the fields of reggae, jazz, and comedy are being called to audition for entry into the Tourism Entertainment Academy (TEA), a...

Jamaica to receive up to US$500,000 to boost disaster resilience

Jamaica is set to benefit from a grant of up to US$500,000 to strengthen its disaster resilience and recovery capacity under a new regional...
Dr. Christopher Tufton

Jamaica’s partnership with Cuba will continue, says Minister Tufton

Jamaica's Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, has reaffirmed the Jamaican government’s commitment to its long-standing partnership with Cuba, describing the collaboration...

Latest Articles

Skip to content