Canaan, Haiti, is a rapidly growing informal settlement located near the town of Thomazeau in the Ouest Department. Established in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake as a spontaneous resettlement area for displaced populations, Canaan has since evolved into one of the largest new communities in Haiti. The area lacks formal municipal status and governance structures, resulting in limited access to basic services such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, healthcare, and education. Infrastructure development remains minimal, with many roads unpaved and public facilities scarce or non-existent. Despite these conditions, local organizations and non-governmental agencies are actively engaged in efforts to improve living standards. The population is predominantly young and participates in a dynamic informal economy. The population of Canaan was estimated at between 200,000 and 300,000 as of 2020.
The Sport for Hope Centre was built by the International Olympic Committee in Canaan, a city that did not exist five years ago.
Etymology[]
The name Canaan originates from the biblical land known as Canaan, historically referred to as the "land of purple" due to its production of a highly prized purple dye favored by royalty. This territory, later known as Palestine after the Philistines, symbolizes a promised land or place of refuge and hope. In the Haitian context, the community that arose following the 2010 earthquake adopted the name Canaan to reflect the displaced population’s quest for safety, new beginnings, and a better future. The choice embodied both a spiritual aspiration and a practical reality, as residents endeavored to rebuild their lives here.
History[]
Before Canaan emerged as an informal settlement, the area was part of the communal section of Crochus, located along the border between the municipalities of Croix-des-Bouquets and Thomazeau in Haiti’s Ouest Department. Prior to its rapid growth after the 2010 earthquake, the land was predominantly rural and sparsely populated, used mainly for agriculture and covered with natural vegetation. The region consisted of farmland and small farming communities, with minimal infrastructure and few formal settlements.
By 2016, around 200,000 people had settled in the 50-square-kilometer (19.3-square-mile) area allocated after the 2010 Haiti earthquake. According to ONU-Habitat, earthquake victims, rural migrants, and opportunists invested over 10 million USD in developing this "new city".
Development[]
The Government of Haiti long time refused to recognize settlements like Canaan as permanent settlements and officially banned the construction of any permanent structures or the implementation of any infrastructure projects in the area. But in reality there was no control or regulation by the public authorities that evolved into accepting the inevitable development activities as they were unable to provide adequate public housing alternatives. Canaan lacks running water, sanitation services and electricity, all of which are necessary for a community of more than 30,000 people who now live in the settlement.
Children of Canaan, Haiti
Growth[]
A multi-business shop selling water, food, sodas & phone credit in Jerusalem, one of the neighborhoods in the Canaan area.
Local businesses in Canaan
In June 2013, a radio programme on Canaan's explosive growth, interviewing a man there who described how people from other displacement camps around Haiti and even other long-term residents of other areas of Haiti were increasingly coming to Canaan despite its lack of running water (there are pump stations, around which there are often fights), lack of a permanent hospital, and lack of transportation options outside daylight hours. The growth of Canaan is not expected to slow or cease in the near term.
Geography[]
Canaan is located in the Ouest Department of Haiti at 18.6505° N, 72.2720° W, spanning approximately 50 square kilometers (19.3 square miles) along the border between the Croix-des-Bouquets and Thomazeau municipalities. It borders the municipal sections of Crochus, THO to the north and east, Varreux 2, CDB to the south, and Orangers to the west,
The terrain is primarily flat to gently rolling, with a mix of undeveloped land and rapidly expanding informal settlements. Positioned near the outskirts of Port-au-Prince, Canaan lies within a tropical climate zone, experiencing warm temperatures year-round and a distinct rainy season. Its location outside the city limits places it in a transitional zone between urban and rural areas, contributing to both its strategic importance and challenges in infrastructure development.
Climate[]
Canaan experiences a tropical climate characterized by warm temperatures throughout the year, with average highs typically ranging around 30°C (86°F). The area has a distinct rainy season from April to November, which can bring heavy rainfall and occasional storms. Dry season months, from December to March, are generally cooler and less humid.
Economy[]
Canaan’s economy is predominantly informal, driven by small-scale trade, local entrepreneurship, and construction-related activities fueled by ongoing settlement growth. Many residents rely on daily labor, street vending, and small businesses to sustain their livelihoods. Despite limited formal employment opportunities, the community’s entrepreneurial spirit supports a vibrant informal market that plays a major role in meeting the needs of its growing population.
Infrastructure[]
Canaan’s infrastructure remains largely underdeveloped due to its rapid and informal growth. Basic services such as clean water, sanitation, electricity, and road networks are limited or inconsistent across the settlement. Many roads are unpaved, making transportation difficult, especially during the rainy season. Public facilities like schools, healthcare centers, and waste management systems are sparse or nonexistent.
Culture and Heritage[]
Canaan’s culture and heritage are as fresh as the community itself—still in the making. With no established libraries, museums, or theaters to boast about, the area leans heavily on the determination and creativity of its residents to keep the spirit alive. As a newly formed settlement, Canaan’s heritage is being actively shaped by its population’s ongoing efforts to build a cohesive community.
Tourism[]
Tourism in Canaan is not your typical Caribbean getaway. There are no pristine beaches, luxury hotels, or guided tours. Instead, what Canaan offers is a raw, real glimpse into the resourcefulness of a community built from the ground up. Visitors won’t find tourist traps, but they will find a city shaped by migration, necessity, and grit. It's not a vacation destination in the traditional sense, but for those interested in urban development, social dynamics, or Haiti’s evolving landscape, Canaan presents a unique and compelling case study.
Organizations[]
Here are some key organizations active in Canaan, Haiti, each playing a unique role in community development:
- TECHO (Un Techo para mi País), an international NGO from Chile
, has built over 800 transitional homes in Canaan since 2010. Their work includes thousands of volunteer hours from groups like the World Bank and OAS. - Kingdom Kids Homes – House of Hope Christian School & Community Center runs a Christian school, community center, nutrition program, medical clinic, and worship services, serving hundreds of families.
- Canaan Christian Community operates a school, nutrition project for malnourished children, a staffed clinic, and a church, integrating education, healthcare, and spiritual support.
- MTI (Medical Teams International)/ JLVC (Jesus Le Vraj Chemin) provided primary medical care from 2011–2013 before transitioning services to the local clinic. From 2010 to 2013, they constructed essential community infrastructure—church, school buildings, medical and dental clinic, and homes—partnering with local leadership.
- Global Communities / Community Resource Center (CRC), supported by USAID and the American Red Cross, established the Canaan CRC in 2018, featuring community meeting spaces, local administrative offices, and service hubs.
- UrDI (UN‑Habitat & Urban Development Initiative) has led community-driven land use planning and sustainable urban development efforts in Canaan I, in collaboration with USAID, Haiti Red Cross, and UCLB
References[]
Genesis 10:6 NIV