At the age of 35, Mireille found herself standing beneath the scorching Haitian sun, clutching a small bag with the remnants of her possessions. Pregnant and weary, she had just experienced deportation from a country she had called home for nearly three decades—the Dominican Republic. Returning to her birthplace, Haiti, felt foreign and unsettling, especially as she witnessed the escalating gang violence and economic turmoil from afar.
“I was deported to a country I never lived in,” she expressed, grappling with feelings of anger and despair. Her life, relationships, and memories were all tied to the Dominican Republic, where overnight, she became an outsider, stripped of her dignity and thrust into an uncertain reality.
Mireille’s ordeal began just days before her return, when she was taken to a detention center, where she endured cramped and uncomfortable conditions while separated from her family. As a pregnant woman lacking immediate medical attention, her worries for both her unborn child and the future of her family escalated.
Her children, still in Santo Domingo, suddenly faced interruptions in their education. “Education in the Dominican Republic wasn’t perfect,” she noted, “but it was still better than what I expect in Haiti, where resources are scarce.” This disruption weighed heavily on her mind as she considered what lay ahead.
“I arrived in Haiti feeling scared and unsure of what to do,” Mireille shared. “I barely know this country, and figuring out where to start is daunting.”
Support Provided at GARR
Upon crossing the border, Mireille was directed to the Support Group for the Repatriated and Refugees (GARR), a critical resource for deportees. GARR collaborates closely with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) to address the pressing needs of deported migrants. For Mireille, this center marked the initial step towards reclaiming a sense of security.
Upon arrival, GARR staff welcomed her with compassion, providing a warm meal and an empathetic ear. The center offers a variety of services, including psychosocial support, health referrals, and essential item distribution, allowing Mireille to access vital mental health care.
“The psychosocial support offered me much-needed relief,” she recalled. “It helped me through the most painful moments.”
In addition to emotional assistance, IOM ensured that Mireille and fellow deportees received essential personal items, such as clothing, hygiene products, and toiletries.
The GARR center functions as a temporary haven for the most vulnerable, providing a space for rest and organization before they continue their lives. For many deportees like Mireille, this offers a brief respite amidst their struggles.
A Crucial Safety Net
Mireille’s experience within the reception process underscores the essential collaboration between IOM and the Office National de la Migration (ONM). This Haitian government agency oversees the registration of deportees, ensuring that each individual receives appropriate attention. At the border, IOM and ONM unite to assess vulnerabilities and tailor assistance to those in need.
For vulnerable pregnant women, IOM facilitates access to critical prenatal care. Unaccompanied minors receive support for family reunification, while survivors of gender-based violence obtain specialized medical care from IOM and its partners.
This collaboration—between ONM, GARR, and IOM—serves as a vital safety net for migrants arriving in precarious situations. However, much more assistance is essential. The life-saving support extended to deported individuals, including Mireille, is made possible through the generosity of international donors.
From psychosocial care and medical referrals to essential supplies, these contributions ensure that the most vulnerable deportees are received with dignity and compassion in their time of need.
