Even as Haiti’s political and economic crisis deepened in 2019, the Haitian diaspora responded by increasing the money they sent home to family members in need. Remittance flows to Haiti reached new heights as the diaspora in the United States, Canada, France, and other countries stepped up support for relatives struggling with rising prices, job losses, and food insecurity.
Economists estimated that remittances accounted for approximately 30 percent of Haiti’s gross domestic product, making them one of the country’s most important sources of foreign exchange. For individual families, remittances often made the difference between eating and going hungry.
Money transfer operators reported a notable uptick in transaction volumes from Haitian diaspora communities in Miami, New York, Boston, and Montreal. Community organizations in those cities organized fundraising efforts to support specific communities and organizations on the ground in Haiti.
The reliance on diaspora remittances also highlighted the fragility of Haiti’s domestic economy and the scale of emigration from the country. Advocates argued that while remittances provided a vital safety net, they were not a substitute for sustainable economic development and political stability.