LocationsHow night light patterns are helping to lay the groundwork for stabilization work in Haiti
From darkness to data
June 10, 2025
In Haiti, lights – or the lack of them – tell a story that goes beyond access to electricity.
Photo: UNEP/Marc Lee Steed
In the pre-dawn hours of Port-au-Prince, scattered lights dot the landscape—some steady, others flickering, many absent altogether. These lights tell a story that goes far beyond electricity, speaking to the complex realities facing Haiti's capital.
As part of preparing for potential stabilization efforts, UNDP is analysing satellite night light data to better understand Port-au-Prince's urban landscape. This preparatory work forms a crucial component of the AVANSE project's readiness phase—AVANSE being "Aksyon ki Vize Amelyorasyon Nivo Sosyo Ekonomik" (Action Aimed at Improving Socio-Economic Levels)—designed to gather information for possible future interventions should areas currently under gang control become accessible.
Preparing for uncertain timelines
Current security realities in Port-au-Prince present significant challenges for traditional assessment methods. Many areas remain inaccessible, making conventional data collection impossible in zones still under gang influence. The question becomes: how does one prepare for potential stabilization efforts when direct access remains limited?
The answer lies in satellite technology. Using advanced satellite imagery, UNDP is analysing night light patterns across the capital as part of contingency planning. This analysis serves as preparation for the possibility that areas may become accessible through successful security operations by the Haitian National Police and Multinational Security Support mission.
Light trends and patterns tell a story: bright, consistent illumination signals thriving areas, while dim or absent lights reveal neighbourhoods cut off from basic services.
What darkness and light reveal
Every pixel of light captured by satellites tells a story. Bright, consistent illumination signals thriving commercial districts and functioning infrastructure. Dim or absent lights reveal neighbourhoods cut off from basic services, areas where families live without reliable electricity, where schools operate in darkness and where health centres struggle to provide care.
"Population movements become visible as light patterns shift, helping us understand how conflict affects local communities."
But we see more than infrastructure gaps. Economic activity glows in the data—bustling markets create distinct light signatures, while dormant commercial areas show up as shadows on our maps. Population movements become visible as light patterns shift, helping us understand how conflict affects local communities.
Contingency planning
This satellite data forms part of AVANSE's preparation phase—creating detailed plans for potential interventions should circumstances allow. The analysis helps identify where essential infrastructure rebuilding might be prioritized: administrative buildings, police stations, health centres and schools that would be critical for reasserting government presence following the removal of gang-controlled barricades that currently block access to many parts of the capital.
Working with data scientists who use AI to analyse complex datasets, UNDP is using night light trends to determine where potential stabilization and economic recovery programmes could have the greatest impact.
The night light data also informs potential economic recovery programmes, indicating where small business development and vocational training could have the greatest impact if and when these areas become secure. Understanding community displacement patterns through light analysis helps prepare social cohesion initiatives tailored to specific neighbourhood needs.
Rebuilding: Beyond infrastructure
Working with data scientists who use AI to analyse these complex datasets, UNDP is creating detailed contingency plans for each neighbourhood. Every dark spot on satellite maps represents potential absent services—electricity, government presence, economic opportunity—that could require attention should areas become accessible.
The preparatory work reflects both the challenges and possibilities ahead. While satellite technology provides comprehensive insight into needs across Port-au-Prince, the ultimate success of any intervention depends entirely on security conditions improving enough to allow safe access and implementation.
AVANSE represents preparation for something larger than infrastructure rebuilding—the potential to restore connections between citizens and government, create employment opportunities and strengthen community resilience. Yet this remains contingent on successful efforts by security actors to establish stable conditions.
The night lights scattered across Port-au-Prince's landscape represent families, businesses and communities navigating difficult circumstances. Through careful preparation, strategic planning and partnership with Haitian institutions, UNDP stands ready to support stabilization efforts should the opportunity arise.
Related
content
content
