Insurance for work and travel in Port-au-Prince

    Port-au-Prince is in a state of acute crisis. Gang coalitions control most of the city, kidnapping of international workers is one of the highest risks in the Americas and the airport has been repeatedly compromised. This is extreme-level risk.

    Standard insurance will not cover this environment. Specialist cover is essential for any international worker operating in Port-au-Prince.

    Port-au-Prince is rated extreme risk. Gang coalitions control most of the city. Kidnapping is one of the highest risks in the Americas.

    Standard insurance will not cover this environment. Air evacuation is the only viable emergency exit option. Specialist cover is essential.

    Yes — Conflict Cover provides specialist insurance for Port-au-Prince.

    Subject to full disclosure of your assignment, operating area and security arrangements. This cover is designed for journalists, NGO workers, contractors and other non-combatants who have a legitimate professional reason to be there.

    Can you get insurance for Port-au-Prince?

    Yes — for non-combatants with genuine operational need

    We provide specialist insurance for journalists, NGOs, humanitarian workers and organisations with demonstrable operational need to work in Port-au-Prince. Cover is subject to accurate disclosure of your role, security arrangements and itinerary.

    Journalists and media teams
    NGOs and aid organisations
    Humanitarian workers
    UN and international agencies
    Medical and health workers
    Faith-based organisations

    Security context

    What's happening in Port-au-Prince

    The situation

    Gang control, extreme kidnapping risk, collapsed infrastructure

    Port-au-Prince is experiencing one of the worst security crises in the Western Hemisphere. Gang coalitions — primarily the Viv Ansanm alliance between G9 and G-PEP — control an estimated 85% of the metropolitan area as of 2024-2025, including major arteries, ports and districts that international organisations have historically accessed freely. Toussaint Louverture International Airport was seized by gang forces in March 2024, forcing its closure for months before partial restoration of operations.

    The MOPSC (Multinational Security Support Mission) led by Kenya deployed in 2024 with a mandate to support Haitian National Police, but has faced significant operational constraints. MSS forces have conducted operations in Cité Soleil and Port-au-Prince, but gang control over large parts of the city has not been broken. Champ de Mars, Turgeau, Pétionville and the route to the airport remain contested or gang-controlled depending on the situation at any given time.

    For international workers, Port-au-Prince represents an extreme operating environment. Kidnapping for ransom is one of the most significant risks — Haiti consistently records among the highest kidnapping rates in the world. Hostages have included NGO workers, UN personnel, journalists and religious workers. Standard insurance does not cover this environment, and organisations operating here must have armed escort, hardened vehicles and comprehensive evacuation planning including air evacuation contingencies.

    What to watch

    • Gang coalition control status — particularly Viv Ansanm control over routes to Toussaint Louverture International Airport
    • MSS mission operational activity and any significant shifts in gang territorial control affecting key corridors
    • Kidnapping patterns targeting international workers, particularly in Pétionville, Tabarre and on airport routes
    • Airport operational status and alternative evacuation routing via private charter or overland to the Dominican Republic

    Why it can be challenging

    Key risks for non-combatants in Port-au-Prince

    Extreme kidnapping risk for international workers

    Haiti has one of the world's highest kidnapping rates for international personnel. Viv Ansanm and criminal groups operate extensive kidnapping networks across Port-au-Prince. NGO workers, UN personnel and missionaries have all been taken. Movement outside secured compounds without armed escort is extremely high-risk.

    Gang control of city districts and key routes

    Gang coalitions control the majority of Port-au-Prince's metropolitan area including Cité Soleil, Martissant, Carrefour-Feuilles and routes to the port and airport. Non-combatants cannot move through these areas without serious risk of robbery, kidnapping or death.

    Collapsed medical infrastructure

    Haiti's health system was already severely degraded before the current security crisis. Gang violence has forced the closure or evacuation of multiple hospitals and clinics. For serious trauma or medical emergencies, evacuation by air to Miami, Santo Domingo or other Caribbean destinations is the only viable option.

    Restricted and dangerous airport access

    Toussaint Louverture International Airport has been repeatedly affected by gang activity and violence in surrounding areas. Air evacuation must be planned with contingencies including private charter and alternative departure points. Overland access to the airport is one of the highest-risk movements in the city.

    Emergency support

    24/7 support with air evacuation planning

    NGS provides round-the-clock emergency support. In Port-au-Prince, air evacuation to Miami, Santo Domingo or another destination is the only viable emergency exit for serious incidents. NGS coordinates the full process from the first call.

    24/7 response

    Round-the-clock support every day of the year

    Medical coordination

    Coordinating care including air evacuation to Miami or Santo Domingo

    Evacuation support

    Air evacuation coordination including private charter options

    Case management

    Handling the incident through to a safer outcome

    Exclusions

    What is not covered?

    This policy is designed to protect people, not possessions.

    Cover not included

    • Kidnap and ransom cover
    • Detention or arrest cover
    • Political evacuation

    Activity exclusions

    • Participation in combat or military activity
    • Active involvement in hostilities

    Property exclusions

    • Loss or damage to personal belongings, baggage, or equipment

    Threat intelligence

    Threat intelligence and risk context

    For a deeper understanding of the current situation, including operational risks and regional dynamics, see our threat intelligence hub.

    View threat intelligence

    FAQ

    Common questions about cover in Port-au-Prince

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