Contrary to the idea that the population remain in camps in order to receive the help of humanitarian agencies, the loss of access to basic services (water, health, education) within the camps is not a widespread fear among the displaced. This is what reveals a large study made by the Agency for Technical Cooperation and Development (ACTED) in a sample of 15,000 people living in camps.

The picture is clear: the thousands of families affected by the earthquake of 2010 and which remain in the camps want to leave these places of temporary accommodation to find a space promoting the family life and individual reconstruction.

94% of IDPs surveyed want to leave the camps as soon as possible. However, 53% of this sample indicated they did not know what would be its immediate alternative in terms of housing. Thus, despite the desire of a , majority of the population, the lack of alternatives forces them to remain within the camps.

The IDPs state that they need financial assistance to boost their income generating activities. The recapitalization of small traders and craftsmen having lost stocks and materials during the earthquake is an effective solution for a quick of exit of camps for these populations.

On the other hand, the diversity of the population in these camps calls for specific and appropriate policies. In particular, the needs of former tenants and owners are different. The rehousing solutions must take into account this diversity by offering both subsidies to pay the first rent, to repair damaged houses or the transitional shelters for people with no immediate solutions.

HL/ HaitiLibre