I was actually just speaking with a co-worker about this because her significant other is a Haitian native. His family won't even let him travel back alone despite being born and raised there and having no accent (he's 30, btw). They insist that he's been in America for too long and the criminal element will be able to pick him out.
Honestly, you would have to pay me very well and offer an armed escort to even consider going. Here is a snippet from the state department
travel advisory (not the warning above).
CRIME: There are no "safe areas" in Haiti. Crime, a chronic problem over the years, has increased in recent years and can be subject to periodic surges sometimes not obviously explained by other events or conditions. The U.S. estimates that up to 8% of the cocaine entering the United States passes through Haiti. The state of law and order has steadily deteriorated as a result. Reports of kidnapping, death threats, murders, drug-related shootouts, armed robberies, break-ins or carjackings are common. These crimes are primarily Haitian against Haitian, though several foreigners and U.S. citizens have been victimized. In 2007, there were 29 reported kidnappings of American citizens, including two victims who were killed.
Many American citizens reported that they were beaten and or raped by their hostage takers. Kidnapping remains the most critical security concern; kidnappers frequently target children.
U.S. citizens who travel to Haiti should exercise extreme caution throughout the country.
There are other, safer places to be a humanitarian.
