Haiti News

The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has issued a stark warning about the potential for gangs to completely overrun Port-au-Prince, Haiti's capital, unless significant international security support is provided. In a report released in conjunction with a Security Council meeting, Guterres emphasized the urgency of the situation, stating that the delays in enhancing the support to the Haitian police could lead to a catastrophic collapse of national security structures. Currently, the nation's law enforcement is struggling to maintain order amid escalating gang violence. The humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, prompting calls for immediate action from the global community.

More than one million people in Haiti are currently displaced due to escalating gang violence, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Alarmingly, half of the displaced persons are children. The internal displacement figure has tripled compared to the previous year, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in the country, which has a population of approximately twelve million. IOM Director General Amy Pope emphasized the urgent need for sustainable humanitarian assistance to save and protect lives. She urged collaboration to address the underlying causes of violence and instability that have led to widespread death and destruction. The crisis has been aggravated by the deportation of around 200,000 Haitians from abroad in the past year, further straining the already overwhelmed aid services. The violence, primarily driven by gangs that control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, has led to more than 5,000 reported deaths in the previous year. Haiti has not held elections for over eight years, following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021. Currently, businessman Alix Fils-Aime serves as the interim prime minister.