The purpose of the mission was threefold: to conduct an assessment of the current conditions for Haitians in the Dominican Republic, to look at Haitian migration patterns to the Dominican Republic, and to evaluate the implications of such migration for the region. The mission was conducted in response to ongoing civil and political unrest in Haiti and in anticipation of the Presidential elections to be held in Haiti in November 2005. Refugee protection and humanitarian needs were the primary focus for the trip.