Haiti Faces Crisis of Financial Inclusion and Crime: UN Calls for Action to Protect Vulnerable Communities
Haiti’s Worsening Situation
Haiti has been embroiled in a worsening crisis since 2018, with the assassination of President Jovenel Moise exacerbating widespread poverty and hunger. The country’s financial sector is crippled by constraints that limit its ability to provide financial inclusion, leaving millions vulnerable to modern slavery.
Increased Reports of Crime and Exploitation
According to a recent report by the United Nations Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner, Haiti’s precarious situation has led to increased reports of kidnappings, systemic violence, and sexual and criminal exploitation. Poor and marginalized communities are particularly at risk of being trafficked for forced labor and other forms of modern slavery.
The Role of Financial Inclusion
The 2022 Trafficking in Persons report published by the United States highlights Haiti as a significant hub for human trafficking, with up to 60,000 Haitians repatriated from the Dominican Republic alone last year. The UNHCR has called on all states to refrain from enforcing returns to Haiti, citing the country’s precarious situation.
Community-Created Financial Services
A recent rapid study by UNU-CPR and INURED identified community-created financial services as assets that serve as protective factors for underserved populations. The report recommends four key steps to reduce vulnerability to modern slavery:
- Supporting collaborative efforts to offer formal financial services
- Exploring ways to safeguard informal financial services
- Prioritizing vulnerable groups within financial inclusion strategies
- Monitoring for unintended consequences
Action Required
As Haiti faces a precarious future, the financial sector and international community must play a constructive role in protecting and extending financial inclusion to the poorest and most marginalized. Failure to do so could exacerbate the crisis and leave millions at risk of modern slavery.
Call to Action
The United Nations is urging all states to take action to protect vulnerable communities in Haiti by:
- Supporting efforts to promote financial inclusion
- Addressing systemic constraints that limit access to financial services
- Monitoring for signs of human trafficking and exploitation
- Providing support to those affected by the crisis