Remittances in Crises: A Haiti Case Study

This study assesses how people in Gonaives, Haiti, used remittances from the Haitian diaspora as well as from internal sources during and after the city was hit by hurricane Jeanne in September 2004.

Study findings reveal that overseas migrant remittances were one element of a chain of solidarity among neighbours, relatives within Haiti, international humanitarian agencies and overseas relatives. Those interviewed reported very small increments in the cash remittances they received post Jeanne, although they apparently received considerable in-kind transfers in the form of clothing, food and other necessities. Some steps that would have facilitated remittance flows include:

• Improving communication facilities;
• Placing some resources in the hands of those with relatives in the affected zones, and helping family members to reach these zones;
• Improving disaster response through closer collaboration with organized migrants.

Funds channelled to help victims recover livelihoods are essential for recovery. Neither remittances nor international humanitarian assistance was adequate for livelihood recovery in Haiti. Finally, the Haitian diaspora provides a lifeline to its compatriots, but it is slender in normal times and much less so in the face of a disaster.