Gaëlle: Seeing people regain their independence is what makes it all worthwhile

Gaëlle Charles works as an occupational therapist with HI. She helps people displaced by gang violence in Haiti to regain their independence.

Gang violence in Haiti has forced more than 1.4 million¹ people to flee their homes to save their lives. They live in displacement camps where living conditions are often very difficult. Many of them are exposed to disease, injury and the risk of developing disabilities. Access to healthcare and rehabilitation is therefore essential to enable them to rebuild their lives. It is in this context that Gaëlle decided to get involved in supporting these displaced people.

A calling to help others

Gaëlle Charles is a qualified occupational therapist and a member of the Haitian Association of Occupational Therapists. She works on the emergency rehabilitation project run by HI to assist displaced people.

Occupational therapy is a discipline centred on the individual, their environment and their daily activities. It is aimed at everyone: children, adults and older people living with a disability, illness or trauma.

For Gaëlle, this profession is above all a vocation. Supporting patients through rehabilitation exercises and seeing them make progress is a key source of motivation.

"I chose occupational therapy to restore, maintain or promote people's independence and quality of life," she explains.

Restoring independence in daily life

On a daily basis, Gaëlle supports people who struggle to perform simple tasks due to a disability or trauma, often resulting from displacement caused by insecurity.

Before each session, she assesses the person's motor skills: can they move around, get dressed, wash themselves…? This step allows her to identify their difficulties and offer tailored support.

She works in particular with patients suffering from paralysis, motor disorders or the after-effects of accidents. She offers exercises that enable them to gradually regain their independence in carrying out certain tasks such as washing, combing their hair, getting dressed or handling everyday objects.

She also teaches them how to use assistive devices correctly, such as crutches or wheelchairs.

"I find joy in improving the quality of life for people in my community," she says.

Difficult working and living conditions

At the sites for displaced people, the conditions for providing care are very different from those in a hospital. Space is limited and the facilities are poorly suited to the task. Every day, Gaëlle and her team have to carry their equipment to deliver the rehabilitation sessions.

Getting around is also a challenge. To reach some sites, she has to travel through areas of Port-au-Prince where there is a high risk of violence.

Furthermore, the living conditions of the people she supports are a particular cause for concern. Unsanitary conditions and a lack of resources expose people to numerous diseases and exacerbate disabilities.

Despite these difficulties, Gaëlle remains committed:

"Despite the difficulties, we adapt and carry on. We always give our very best to help our patients," she explains.

Progress that restores hope

The progress made by the people she supports is Gaëlle's main source of motivation.

Recently, she worked with a woman suffering from hemiplegia. The woman was unable to perform tasks such as washing herself or doing her hair on her own. Thanks to regular follow-up and tailored exercises put in place by Gaëlle, this woman has gradually regained her independence. Today, she is able to carry out these tasks without help from those around her.

"Seeing patients regain their independence is the best part of my job," she emphasises.

Carrying on with her mission whilst keeping hope alive

The security situation in Haiti remains very critical. Insecurity and violence are having a major impact not only on the population but also on healthcare professionals.

Like many Haitians, Gaëlle and her family are themselves affected by this crisis. The risks and difficulties of daily life make her work particularly demanding. Yet she continues her mission, motivated by the human aspect of her profession and the resilience of the people she supports.

She hopes that displaced people will be able to regain their independence, improve their quality of life and, one day, return home safely.

IOM December 2025