Safilia fled gang violence in Haiti: HI is helping her rebuild her life.
At 65, Safilia left her neighbourhood because of gang attacks. As a disabled person, she lives in difficult conditions. Thanks to HI’s support, she is gradually regaining her independence.
Safilia carries out household chores thanks to her rehabilitation sessions. | © T. Noreille / HI
Gang violence in Haiti has now reached unprecedented levels: nearly 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under their control, causing essential services to collapse. More than 16,000 people have been killed since 2022 according to the UN1 and more than 1.4 million2 people have fled their homes to seek refuge elsewhere in the country. Faced with widespread insecurity, many Haitians are also trying to leave the country, reflecting the desperation of a population simply trying to survive. This is the reality Safilia is facing today.
Violence has turned everything upside down
My name is Safilia Civil, I am 65 years old and I am a widow. I lived for a long time in Solino, a neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince where I had a peaceful life. I had my home, my three children, my grandchildren and I was in good health. I ran a small business that allowed me to provide for our needs.
Then everything changed with the armed violence of the gangs. The situation in the country deteriorated gradually, then suddenly. The nights became unbearable. The constant gunfire kept me awake and made me jump at the slightest sound.
The difficult conditions at the site for internally displaced persons
Today, I live with my grandchildren in a camp for internally displaced people set up by the Ministry of Communication. Life here is very different from what we used to know. Here, there is noise and arguments every day. I don’t feel at home here, but I have nowhere else to go.
At this site, I have access to water and sometimes to food that’s handed out, even if it’s not always to my liking.
All day long, there is noise and arguing… It’s not a life I enjoy. But I have no choice.
I suffered physically as a result of the violence. My body had become stiff and painful; I would fall over as soon as I tried to walk. This situation made my daily life even more difficult; I depended on others’ help for certain tasks.
HI’s support to regain independence
One day, teams from HI came to the site. They explained that they were supporting displaced and people with disabilities through rehabilitation sessions. Since then, I have been receiving this support every week.
First, I was given crutches, then I was helped to work on my balance and movements through tailored exercises. Gradually, my body became more flexible and I regained strength and independence. Today, I can walk without assistance. I am able to carry out several daily tasks, such as washing up or doing the laundry.
Before, I used to fall every time I tried to walk. Now, I can walk on my own. I am very grateful for what HI has done for me.
Hope for the future
My biggest concern is the future of my grandchildren. One of them is only eight years old and depends entirely on me. I’m fighting to make sure he can go to school.
Despite my age, my pain and everything I have lost, I remain hopeful. Thanks to HI’s support, I continue to move forward with courage.
I feel there is still life ahead of me. My disability does not hold me back.
The Post-Traumatic Rehabilitation Emergency (URPOST) project is being rolled out across five sites for displaced people in Port-au-Prince. Its aim is to improve access to care and rehabilitation support for patients, to reduce suffering and the side effects of injuries and prevent any form of long-term disability, as well as to reduce trauma-related sequelae for survivors of gender-based and sexual violence. Launched in August 2024, the project has already supported more than 1,500 patients in rehabilitation, 152 of whom received mobility aids (crutches, walking sticks, wheelchairs, etc.). In addition, 95 survivors of violence have benefited from protection services and 41 dignity kits have been distributed. HI has also delivered training for other humanitarian actors to encourage the inclusion of women and girls with disabilities in the responses provided.
