Haiti.- The Dominican Republic and Haiti are in the middle of a crisis over the construction of an irrigation canal on the Masacre River. According to Haitian statistics, in September 2023, 66,768 Haitians returned to their country, either voluntarily or after being deported by Dominican authorities.
The data includes 13,364 men, 2,782 women, 525 girls, and 397 boys who were deported through official border points such as Anse-à-Pitres, Belladère, Malpasse, and Juana Méndez. Additionally, 4,289 men, 2,598 women, 995 girls, and 1,419 boys left through unofficial border points like Baptiste, Belladère (Rocher), Cornillon, Fonds-Verettes, Las Cahobas (Bateille), and Savanette (Miguel). The total number of people who left in September was 26,369, which shows a 9.4% increase compared to August 2023.
Haitian authorities also report an increase in “voluntary returns” or spontaneous returns. By September 2023, a total of 34,081 Haitians returned voluntarily, which is approximately 57.8% more than the previous month (August).
Due to the dispute over the diversion of the Masacre River, commercial activities at the Dajabón border crossing have been halted. However, citizens are still transporting items such as onions, bananas, pasta, vegetables, and other food products to Haiti. They use bags, boxes, wheelbarrows, and other means to transport these goods while returning to their country “voluntarily” under the control of the General Directorate of Migration (DGM) on the bridge over the Masacre River. They also transport items like plastics and motorcycle parts.
It is important to note that this information reflects the current situation in the border region between the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
