International leader, Pope, urges global alliance to assist Haiti
The security situation in Haiti remains precarious, with a significant increase in gang violence causing widespread chaos and suffering. According to reports, at least 1,520 people have been killed and 609 injured between April and June 2025, primarily in Port-au-Prince and surrounding regions like Artibonite and Centre. The violence includes murders, kidnappings, gang rapes, sexual slavery, and child trafficking, exacerbating an already complex humanitarian crisis that has displaced over 230,000 people in the central region alone[1][3][5].
In response, Pope Leo XIV has publicly condemned the widespread violence, including kidnappings and human trafficking, and has called for the immediate release of hostages, such as those at the Saint-Hélène Orphanage in Kenscoff[2][4]. During a prayer service, he made a heartfelt appeal to all responsible parties to end the violence and for the international community to provide concrete support to help build social and institutional conditions that will enable Haitians to live in peace.
The Haitian government has declared a three-month state of emergency in the central region to address the security crisis. Meanwhile, international organizations like the United Nations and UNFPA are actively providing humanitarian aid, despite facing funding shortages. For instance, UNFPA reports delivering sexual and reproductive health services, psychosocial support, and gender-based violence prevention efforts to thousands of displaced and vulnerable people. However, they face severe funding constraints, with only 8% of the needed resources for 2025 received to date, limiting their operational capacity during escalating needs[1][5].
The international community's response includes appeals and calls for peace from influential figures like Pope Leo XIV, a state of emergency from Haitian authorities, and ongoing but underfunded humanitarian assistance by UN agencies. The situation remains urgent, requiring enhanced international financial and logistical support to curb the violence and alleviate human suffering.
Elsewhere, Pope Francis welcomed the joint declaration of peace signed on August 8 in Washington between Armenia and Azerbaijan. He also urged prayer for the cessation of wars on the 80th anniversary of the bombings that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan. However, news reports continue to speak of murders, all kinds of violence, human trafficking, forced exile, and kidnappings in Haiti[6].
Pope Francis has not issued any new appeals regarding the Haiti situation in this paragraph. The Archdiocese of the Haitian capital has reacted to the abduction, stating that it constitutes an attack on selfless service, innocence, and faith[7]. The Pope has called on decision-makers to keep in mind the consequences of their choices on populations and not to ignore the needs of the weak and the universal desire for peace.
- Amidst the increasing violence in Haiti, where the Pope has publicly condemned kidnappings and human trafficking, there is a growing need for the international community to provide concrete support to help build social and institutional conditions that will enable Haitians to live in peace.
- The escalating violence in Haiti, including murders, kidnappings, and human trafficking, has exacerbated a complex humanitarian crisis, prompting a three-month state of emergency from the Haitian government and humanitarian aid from international organizations, despite funding shortages.
