Haiti - Migration Forum : Minister Marc-Elie Nelson's intervention in New York
At the second International Migration Review Forum (IMRF), organized under the auspices of the United Nations at UN headquarters in New York, which concludes this Friday, May 8, 2026, Marc-Elie Nelson, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, called on member states for "strengthened cooperation" to better manage migration.
Faced with irregular migration, the brain drain, and the need to protect Haitian citizens abroad, Minister Nelson highlighted the various initiatives launched by the Haitian government to better regulate migration flows.
Since 2023, the government has adopted a "National Migration Policy" document, which serves as the framework for public action. This document has enabled the adoption of a specific contingency plan, linked to the 23 objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, to accommodate migrants from the Dominican Republic. It also facilitated the development of a national care protocol, financed by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).
Nelson believes it is crucial to guarantee migrants' access to essential services such as health, education, and social protection. With this in mind, a budget of 152 million gourdes has been allocated in the 2025-2026 fiscal year budget for the construction of a transitional accommodation center in Belladère. Furthermore, from October 2025 to date, the Government has already welcomed more than 170,000 migrants with respect and human dignity.
"We must invest in policies based on reliable data, promote regular pathways, and resolutely combat human trafficking networks," the Minister stated. He also advocated for humane, inclusive, and rights-respecting migration governance.
