Haiti – For several years, Haiti has been experiencing a period of prolonged economic decline, social tensions, political instability, insecurity, and civil unrest. This situation, exacerbated by a resurgence of gang activities in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and beyond, has led to massive population displacements.
In August 2023, armed violence displaced 20,719 people in less than a month, and in September 2023, armed attacks in the Central Department displaced an additional 10,026 people. By October 2023, nearly 200,000 Haitians remained internally displaced. Today, this figure has risen to 580,000, marking a 60% increase since March 2024.
In April 2024, armed violence displaced more than 50,000 people in the Central Department. The takeover of Mirebalais by gangs even cut off the border town of Belladère from the rest of the country. Today, that number has surpassed one million people – tripling in just one year.
Amidst this crisis, stories of resilience and innovation emerge. One such story is that of Pierre Louis Samuel, a young man who lived in Carrefour-Feuille before being forced to flee his home due to violence. Today, Pierre resides in an annex of the Ministry of National Education, transformed into a site for internally displaced persons. Despite the challenging conditions, Pierre has found a way to use his skills to bring about positive change in his community and beat plastic pollution in Haiti.
Plastic pollution poses is a major challenge in Haiti. Unmanaged waste becomes breeding grounds for mosquitoes, responsible for diseases like malaria and dengue. During the rainy season, they block drainage systems, causing devastating floods. Additionally, roads obstructed by waste complicate mobility and access to essential services.
An innovative spirit serving the community
Pierre Louis Samuel is not an ordinary young man. With a strong will and an innovative spirit, he decided to use his knowledge of recycling plastic waste to improve the lives of the displaced people around him. In the site where he resides, Pierre transforms plastic waste into valuable items such as brooms, bags, and other handcrafted products. This initiative not only helps reduce waste in the environment but also provides useful products to the site’s residents.
“When I saw the amount of plastic waste in the camp, I knew I had to do something. Not only does this waste pollute our environment, but it also causes diseases. By recycling, we can make our environment cleaner and safer,” he confides.
Pierre teaches displaced children how to recycle plastic waste into handcrafted items, offering them skills, hope, and a creative way to cope with trauma. Photo: IOM 2024
A positive impact on children
Pierre’s initiative trains several dozen displaced children at the site in recycling and transforming plastic waste. These training sessions offer children a positive and educational distraction, helping them turn away from the traumas of violence and displacement.
“Before, I saw plastic bottles as trash. Now, thanks to Pierre, I know I can transform them into something useful. I love making bags and brooms,” says one child.
The children's enthusiasm has not gone unnoticed. Many parents, moved by Pierre’s commitment, see these activities as a true opportunity for their children.
Marie Heureuse Nicole, a survivor of the violence who saw her house burned down and lost everything, including severe difficulties in providing for her children’s basic needs and schooling, shares her thoughts: “What this young man is doing is incredible. He not only helps us keep the camp clean but also gives our children a chance to learn something new and useful. I am very proud and very surprised by their achievements.”
The help from IOM and Pierre’s dreams
IOM plays a crucial role in Pierre’s and other IDPs’ lives by providing vital assistance. Thanks to IOM, site residents receive various forms of aid such as medical care, psychosocial support sessions, essential kits like blankets, hygiene kits, and menstrual care, and the delivery of treated water.
Pierre is grateful for this help and shares his bigger dreams. He wishes to improve and increase his recycling and crafting capacities. His dream is to create a social recycling enterprise that could not only support his current community but also offer economic opportunities to other displaced people across the country.
“My dream is not to leave Haiti. I want to open a large recycling center in Port-au-Prince, but I still lack the means. Imagine if our capital became one of the cleanest in the world thanks to our collective efforts.”
Pierre’s proposed solution
To achieve his goals, Pierre proposes innovative solutions for waste management. He envisions creating a collector-pay system where people would be compensated for collecting plastic waste, thus encouraging active participation in keeping their environment clean. Additionally, Pierre wishes to set up collection points in various neighborhoods, facilitating the deposit of plastic waste for recycling.
“If we can motivate people to collect waste by offering compensation, we could significantly reduce the amount of waste in the streets. It’s a win-win solution: people earn money, and our environment becomes cleaner.”
Pierre proudly wears one of his own bags made from recycled plastic – a symbol of resilience and creativity amid the humanitarian crisis. Photo: IOM 2024
A hopeful future
Despite the immense challenges he faces, Pierre Louis Samuel remains confident. As the country continues to struggle against violence and instability, individuals like Pierre show that even in the darkest moments, there are glimmers of hope and opportunities for positive change.
