Haiti experiences imminent crisis, cautions United Nations

Haiti at the Brink: A Cautionary Tale of Gang Violence and Chaos

Haiti is hurtling towards a catastrophic turning point, engulfed by a surge of violent gang activities. This alarming scenario was broadcasted by the UN on Monday, urging global intervention to avert Haiti from plunging into an abyss of utter anarchy.

"We're barrelrolling towards a precipice. With gang violence spreading to uncharted territories within the country, the Haitian populace grows more susceptible and mistrustful of their government's capacity to meet their needs," cautioned Maria Isabel Salvador, the UN's representative in the country, addressing the Security Council.

"The impending disaster looms – unless swift, substantial, and decisive international intervention is undertaken," she cautioned, as she detailed coordinated gang attacks intensifying their grip over Port-au-Prince and previously unscathed regions.

In its latest report obtained by AFP on Monday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres shared his dread over the prospect of "an imminent collapse of the state's presence" in Port-au-Prince, already under the grip of criminal gangs Accounting for roughly 85%. He stressed the urgent demand for strengthening the police to avert the capital's collapse into catastrophe.

"Haiti is succumbing slowly to the ruthless actions of armed gangs, drug dealers, and weapons traders," lamented Haitian ambassador Ericq Pierre, imploring his partners to help dismantle the gangs wreaking havoc on the innocent populace.

Stretched thin by poverty and political instability, Haiti has long battled the brutality of criminal gangs, accused of excesses such as murders, rapes, looting, and kidnappings. Since mid-February, the country, led by transitional institutions, has experienced a surge in violence.

Darker Days Ahead

"In February and March, 1086 citizens lost their lives, and 383 more were injured," Maria Isabel Salvador revealed. In 2024 alone, more than 5000 people succumbed to violence.

Despite partial deployment of the multinational security mission (MMAS) spearheaded by Kenya to aid the overwhelmed Haitian police, the mission currently fields around a thousand police officers from six nations – miles away from the anticipated 2500.

"An immediate expansion of MMAS personnel is a sine qua non," Monica Juma, Kenya's national security advisor to the president, requested on Monday, as the mission faces persistent resource shortages. She pointed out that 261 prepared and ready Kenyan police officers are still idling, awaiting deployment due to a scarcity of equipment and logistical support.

Painting a grim humanitarian picture, Maria Isabel Salvador also raised concerns about funding for UN operations, without explicitly referencing the budgetary cuts decided by the United States.

Owing to security concerns, the UN has already reduced its presence in the capital.

"Insufficient and stable funding could render even a meager UN presence unsustainable... Absent this critical support, UN operations may further shrink just when Haiti needs us most," she warned the Council.

In this tumultuous landscape, she urged the Council to add names to the UN's list of blacklisted individuals (seven as of now) and to enforce the arms embargo.

In a joint statement, several Council members, including France and the UK, demanded targeted sanctions against the perpetrators of sexual violence, weaponized by gangs for abuse and terror.

According to a report by Antonio Guterres, from October 2024 to February 2025, 379 cases of sexual violence were recorded, with 61% involving gang rapes (representing a 21% increase from the preceding three months) and 34% individual rapes.

The UN Secretary-General is also anxious about the tactics employed by certain police officers, citing reports of extrajudicial killings and collateral damage.

In a three-month span, 702 citizens lost their lives in police anti-gang operations, with 21% being uninvolved bystanders.

Aid from International Players

Amid the spiking gang violence and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, numerous international organizations are actively providing aid to bolster stability efforts.

1. Pivotal Humanitarian Support

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in tandem with the Haitian National Red Cross Society, offers essential humanitarian assistance. Their interventions encompass establishing medical stabilization centers, educating community members in first aid, reinforcing ambulance services, and providing vital medical supplies to healthcare facilities.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) attributes a considerable portion of Haiti's six-million strong population needing urgent humanitarian assistance in 2025. This figure underscores the escalating need for global support.

2. Security and Stability Enhancement

The United Nations Support Mission for Security in Haiti (MSS Mission) was authorized by the UN Security Council in October 2023 with the objective of bolstering security in Haiti. Nevertheless, the mission's success hinges on voluntary contributions from member states to address shortcomings in personnel, equipment, and resources.
The international community's ongoing support for Haiti's journey towards peace and stability is vowed by the UN, emphasizing the necessity of continuous global engagement and aid.

3. Unwavering Human Rights Advocacy

The UN Designated Expert on Human Rights in Haiti actively engages in addressing the human rights situation. Recent expert visits have underscored the urgency of the crisis, prompting the international community to respond effectively to stall further deterioration.

These coordinated international efforts revolve around providing humanitarian aid, enhancing security, and advocating for human rights, aiming to avert the collapse of Haiti and support its road towards stability and resilience. Nonetheless, these efforts' longevity relies on substantial financial commitments and resource dedication from global partners.

[1] Source: International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) https://www.icrc.org/en/document/icrcs-relief-and-protection-work-in-haiti[2] Source: United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) https://www.unocha.org/haiti[3] Source: UN News https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/05/1106812[4] Source: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' address to the Security Council on Haiti https://www.un.org/sg/en/content/sg/speeches/2023-05-10/security-council-haiti[5] Source: OHCHR Report on Human Rights Situation in Haiti https://www.ohchr.org/en/countries/laamericas/pages/haiti.aspx

Despite the UN's warning about Haiti's instability due to rampant gang violence, the multinational security mission (MMAS) currently operates with fewer than the anticipated 2500 personnel, hindering its effectiveness in addressing the crisis.
The UN's representative in Haiti, Maria Isabel Salvador, has expressed concern about the insufficient and unstable funding for UN operations, which could lead to a further decrease in the UN's presence in the country, exacerbating the already critical situation.
In an effort to combat the surge in violence and sexual violence perpetrated by armed gangs, certain Council members, including France and the UK, have demanded targeted sanctions against the perpetrators, focusing on those involved in sexual violence.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) are actively providing humanitarian aid to support stability efforts in Haiti, addressing urgent needs such as medical supplies and ambulance services.