Haiti conducted a voluntary repatriation operation for 720 of its compatriots with the help of Dominican authorities.

The repatriation took place after the Dominican government ordered the complete demolition of the houses in the illegal Haitian ghetto of Mata Mosquito, better known in the Dominican Republic as "Pequeño Haiti," whether or not these houses belonged to Dominicans, some of whom showed their property titles.

The demolitions were carried out without warning, resulting in the loss of numerous household belongings, motorcycles, money, and clothing.

According to Protestant pastor Wilson Chal, Haitians used to keep their money under their mattresses because they were unable to open bank accounts due to the lack of identification.

The Haitians, who had taken refuge in rugged terrain and ravines to escape harassment by Dominican immigration agents, were able to travel to their various encampments and board comfortable buses in a relaxed atmosphere for their voluntary return to Haiti. Wenceslas Lambert, the Haitian consul in Higüey, coordinated the details on the ground until the nine buses departed along Boulevard de l'Est, heading towards the official border crossings of Dajabón, Comendador, and Pedernales.

"Pequeño Haiti" after its demolition in the Dominican Republic :

Lambert filled out the registration forms that their compatriots were carrying with them. The operation benefited from the support of the Zilé Foundation through former Ambassador Edwin Paraison and Dr. Joseph Chérubin and his team from the Social Movement for Sociocultural and Environmental Work (Mostha).

Nearly 300 agents from the Directorate General of Migration (DGM) were deployed to "facilitate" the departure process of Haitians in irregular migration situations.

Similarly, a DGM unit was placed at the front of the bus convoy to prevent them from encountering any difficulties with authorities along the way and allow them to reach their destination safely and without incident.

See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-44759-haiti-flash-demolition-of-pequeno-haiti-in-the-dominican-republic-leaving-thousands-of-compatriots-homeless.html

SL/ HaitiLibre