The three resident ambassadors of Team Europe (Spain, France, European Union) as well as the National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund went to Belladère on July 16 with the UN Resident Coordinator and with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Support Group for Repatriates and Refugees (GARR).
The three resident ambassadors of Team Europe (Spain, France, European Union), along with the National Authorizing Officer of the European Development Fund, went to Belladère on July 16 with the UN Resident Coordinator and with support from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Repatriated and Refugee Support Group (GARR). This visit to this municipality in the department is part of launching projects focused on the protection of migrants and border communities on one hand, and on strengthening the resilience of border communities on the other.
The Brazilian ambassador, Luís Guilherme Nascentes da Silva, also joined the trip, thus confirming the working momentum between the European Union and Brazil in Haiti, particularly in cooperation in the health sector, according to a European Union (EU) statement dated July 16, 2026.This trip is also an opportunity for this delegation to meet with the mayor of Belladère, have discussions with healthcare staff about the health situation in this border area, and talk with internally displaced people (IDPs) about their living conditions. The Europe team, the UN resident coordinator, and the Brazilian ambassador will also visit:
- at the Border Resource Center to meet with Zanmi Lasante and MSF,
- at the IOM Reception Center,
- at the site of a mobile clinic to see the rehabilitations carried out by IOM,
- at the GARR emergency shelter.
These projects, funded by the European Union to the tune of nearly 3,550,000 euros (832,000 euros for the project implemented by GARR and 2,715,000 euros for the one implemented by IOM), are part of a European policy based on defending human rights (Human Rights-Based Approach – HRBA), aimed at strengthening the protection of the most vulnerable populations in the border areas between Haiti and the Dominican Republic.The IOM also received funding of 2 million euros from France to help facilitate the reception of people repatriated from the Dominican Republic.
These projects support the municipality of Belladère, which is facing a difficult humanitarian situation. The number of births has increased at an exponential rate, going from 45 per month a year ago to over 210 today, with a peak of 300 in June 2025. Access to safe drinking water is limited, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have restricted access to basic necessities.
The European Union and its member states are committed to supporting improved access to protection and assistance services, strengthening mechanisms for documenting human rights violations and advocacy, building the capacity of community organizations in border areas, and access to justice.The European Union and its member states remain fully committed to supporting the most vulnerable border populations. The projects launched in Belladère put human rights, dignity, and the protection of people at the heart of European action in Haiti, the statement concludes.
