With eight natural disasters in Haiti since 1994, January’s earthquake is likely to see hundreds of thousands more Haitians emigrate, according to IRIN news.
Not only to escape the impact of the latest disaster but also to avoid the next one – as well as political strife and poverty.
KÆMPE OPGAVE
The cost of rebuilding Haiti after the earthquake on 12 January, which killed 217,000 people and displaced 511,405, is huge.
It could reach US$14 billion, (77 milliarder d. kr.) according to a new study by the Inter-American Development Bank.
IKKE NOK MED DET
An exodus of Haitians fleeing legally or otherwise has begun.
In addition, there are more than 500,000 internally displaced, according to the UN.
Most seeked are the US and Dominican Republic.
Others historically include Guadeloupe, France, French Guyana, the Bahamas and Martinique.
GRÆNSER SIKRES
According to the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), a few days after the January earthquake, foreign governments started tightening border controls and putting in place more secure procedures in anticipation of the expected influx from Port-au-Prince.
UNDTAGELSEN
Media reports say a million Haitians were living in the neighbouring Dominican Republic before 12 January.
After the earthquake, the country suspended repatriation of illegal Haitians and opened its borders to let in the injured.
The country also processed documents for Haitians seeking to legalize their stay so they could visit family in Haiti.