Haiti – Jean-Christophe’s journey into humanitarian work began with the devastating 2010 earthquake in his home country of Haiti. Fresh out of his studies as a young chemistry and biology graduate, he witnessed firsthand the suffering of thousands who lost everything. Feeling compelled to act, he mobilized local youth to support those affected, forming community committees to provide aid. His commitment deepened when cholera, previously unknown in Haiti, began spreading rapidly in late 2010.
Within a year, he had joined an international organization as a humanitarian field agent, working tirelessly to protect communities, prevent disease outbreaks, and deliver life-saving assistance. What started as an instinct to help became a lifelong mission.
Over the years, Jean-Christophe’s sense of urgency had only grown. Haiti continued to face relentless challenges, enduring repeated disasters, economic instability, and deepening insecurity. Then, in 2023, escalating violence between armed groups triggered yet another humanitarian catastrophe. Families were forced to flee their homes, seeking safety in displacement sites where conditions were dire. The challenges of 2010 came rushing back – only now, the scale of displacement was even greater, and the dangers even more severe.
A displacement site in Port-au-Prince, where thousands of displaced people rely on sanitation facilities for health and dignity. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
By early 2025, displacement in Haiti had reached record levels, surpassing one million people. This marked a threefold increase within a year. The vast majority of displaced Haitians sought refuge with already overburdened host communities, while others endured dire conditions in makeshift displacement sites that lacked clean water, sanitation, and protection.
Jean-Christophe tests the water quality before dispatching the trucks to displacement sites. Photo: IOM
Jean-Christophe joined the International Organization for Migration (IOM) two years ago as a water, sanitation, and hygiene expert, drawn by its role in providing life-saving assistance to displaced families. At times, the weight of so much suffering made him wonder if his work was enough. He had seen families lose everything overnight, diseases spread where there was no clean water, and children grow up knowing only displacement. Yet, each time despair crept in, he would recall the gratitude in the eyes of those he helped – the mother who no longer had to risk her life fetching water, the child who could play without fear. Those moments reminded him that even small actions have the power to restore dignity and hope.
One moment in particular reinforced his mission. In a displacement site in 2024, Jean-Christophe met a woman who had survived horrific violence. She had seen her husband burned alive before being forced to flee with her children. Despite her trauma, her biggest concern was not herself – it was making sure her children were safe, had food, and access to clean water. Her fortitude was a reminder of why every intervention, no matter how small, matters.
Over time, Jean-Christophe has transformed the weight of these encounters into purposeful action, ensuring that his work brings tangible relief to those in need. The emotions never go away, but they fuel his determination.
Haiti’s challenges remain immense, but so does the will to overcome them. For Jean-Christophe, humanitarian work is more than crisis response – it is about restoring dignity, one family at a time. It is about proving that even in the darkest moments, hope is not lost. And most importantly, it is about showing the world that with compassion and commitment, change is always possible.
Raising awareness is of critical importance, especially in overcrowded displacement sites. Photo: IOM/Antoine Lemonnier
The support of the UN Central Emergency Response Fund remains critical to sustaining these efforts. Organizations like IOM can only continue to provide essential aid thanks to the generosity of those who believe in a better future for Haiti and the region. Every contribution makes a difference, ensuring that families forced to flee can access clean water, sanitation, and the dignity they deserve.
