Port-au-Prince, 24 December 2025.- While the country faces an unprecedented multidimensional crisis, some fear a special end of the year, marked by a humanitarian, security and political crisis. In the Micro Citizen section, we have found that despite thousands of internally displaced persons and empty neighbourhoods of their inhabitants, the spirit of Christmas remains present in the heart of a resilient people.
Indeed, mistrust and contempt for the state leaders remain profound. Despite this, citizens' desire to close the year in beauty remains alive. « The Haitian people are used to socio-political and humanitarian crises, but at this stage, it is too much », explains Jean Frantzy, who, however, believes that the bad faith of the leaders cannot prevent us from sharing with our families and friends the wishes of the end of the year.
While for some the Christmas celebration has never been a question of money or residential stability, others believe that the poor governance and complicity of the leaders with the armed groups has stifled the end-of-year celebrations. « This year the CPT and the government stole all Christmas spirit. For us, in the camps, there will be no more party at the end of the year, we wait next year »explained an internally displaced person (IDP) to Delmas 33.
For many, the refusal to celebrate Christmas is the responsibility of the leaders, whom they accuse of doing everything to make the country unliving. « This is the result of their carelessness, incompetence and bad faith. A CPT that wants to extend its mandate despite the evidence of its total failure, a Prime Minister who is lobbying for a new chance at the Primature beyond 7 February 2026 », throws an angry PDI.
At the same time, other citizens in Delmas 41 and Bourdon hope only one thing: « security conditions to return home ». « In camps for internally displaced persons, it is not a life: health, humanitarian and security conditions remain precarious. I left a four-bedroom house furnished in Solino, I left my two daughters with me, and I was afraid that they would relive the horror we experienced there. We can't talk about Christmas this year, it's fired! », explains Jacqueline.
In addition, the State authorities announce, under the heading « National Tuesdays »that the government has already mobilized all the necessary resources to support IDPs and people in vulnerable situations. These measures consist of stepping up the distribution of food kits, hot dishes through the 105 functional community restaurants throughout the country, and a monetary transfer of 10,000 gourdes to the heads of household.
These accompaniments are far from satisfactory, according to the people concerned, who demand above all security conditions in order to be able to return to their homes. « Hot dishes and food kits are important, I confirm, but this is not the priority at the moment. »
Several internally displaced persons stressed that, despite the Government's announcement on the strengthening of the distribution of hot food and cash transfers to the Republic of Ecuador School, problems persisted.
« Always the same mess for a dish. Food is there, but distribution is the problem. Some people who do not even live in the camp are the only beneficiaries »regret a man in his 50s.
« Let's not talk about money transfer. Beneficiaries will not be the truly vulnerable »added a young man, who could not confirm whether the transactions had already begun.
Moreover, in Bourdon, in another camp for displaced persons, a fire was declared, plunging hundreds of families into anxiety. The Government has announced urgent measures to repair damaged areas and allow a return to normal for internally displaced persons in this already precarious site.
On Tuesday 23 December, the Economic and Social Assistance Fund (FAES) announced the distribution of several kits in the Southern Department. In Les Cayes, Coteaux, Torbec, Camp-Perrin and Torbeck, approximately 5,500 food kits were handed over to vulnerable families during the week of 15-21 December, as part of the multisectoral programme.
Finally, presidential councillors Leslie Voltaire and Edgard Leblanc Fils, accompanied by Prime Minister Alix-Didier Fils Aimé, visited the neighbourhoods of Solino. According to the government, this approach was part of a strategy called « Back to the neighborhood », supposed to mark the restoration of state authority in areas marked by gang violence. However, some see it as a late attempt to re-enact the image of an executive largely criticized for his inaction or even his complicity in the misery of the population.
Let's note that in all corners of the world, the end of the year is an opportunity to celebrate, meet and share traditions as varied as they are fascinating. Curiosity, wonder and sharing: these values at the heart of our stays find a natural echo in winter celebrations around the world.
W.E.
