Despite signs of political progress, Haiti remains gripped by insecurity, with international support seen as critical to enabling long-delayed elections, the United Nations Security Council was told Thursday. As the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) begins its phased deployment and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission prepares to leave at the end of April, officials warned that whether recent gains can hold depends on how security conditions evolve.
“Haiti stands at a pivotal moment, where political and institutional progress is laying the foundations for a credible path forward,” said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the UN special envoy for Haiti and head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH).
The Council recently renewed BINUH's mandate, which was established in 2019 to provide electoral, judicial, human rights, and other support. In doing so, the body revised BINUH's tasks around six priorities, including supporting the organization of municipal, parliamentary, and presidential elections in 2026.
Massieu noted that the transfer of executive authority to Haiti’s Council of Ministers on February 7 ensured institutional continuity during a period of significant vulnerability.
He also highlighted the completion of political party registration — the first since 2016 — as well as updates to the electoral legal framework. Additionally, he mentioned the resumption of Council of Ministers meetings at the National Palace in Port-au-Prince after more than three years of limited state presence in the area.
“This progress is real, but the context remains fragile,” he warned. Recent attacks in the Jean-Denis and Marigot areas are “tragic reminders that insecurity remains a daily reality for far too many Haitians”.
“Without tangible improvements on the security front, progress will be difficult to sustain,” Massieu stressed.
Armed violence in Haiti is driven by the consolidation of gang control, the emergence of self-defense groups amid inadequate state protection, and ongoing operations by security forces and private military companies. Civilians continue to bear the brunt of the violence, and it is estimated that children make up a significant proportion of armed group members. More than half of the population is facing acute food insecurity.
Following repeated requests from the Haitian government, the Security Council authorized the MSS mission in 2023. Led by Kenya, the mission was created to support the Haitian National Police (HNP) in countering gangs and protecting critical infrastructure.
Two years later, the Council decided to transition that mission into the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), authorizing participating states to conduct operations to “neutralize” gangs threatening civilians, either independently or together with Haitian forces.
During his briefing, the UN envoy emphasized the importance of addressing the flow of illicit arms and ammunition, observing that, “when access to ammunition is reduced, violence declines; when supply resumes, large-scale attacks follow.”
To break this cycle, Massieu called for the strengthened implementation of the arms embargo, as well as efforts to combat trafficking and tighten weapons controls.
He urged the Council to demonstrate "constant, united commitment" to ensure the coherence of international support and "walk alongside Haiti on the path of sustainable stabilization."
Jack Christofides, the Special Representative for the Gang Suppression Force, also briefed the Council on Thursday, saying that "we are at a critical early phase of establishing the GSF."
He acknowledged the efforts of the MSS mission, saying, "we are not starting from zero," and added that the Force is being built as a "disciplined, accountable, and partnership-driven mission designed to deliver targeted security results while upholding the highest standards of conduct and full respect for Haitian sovereignty."
A deployment plan has been developed in consultation with the Haitian authorities, he said. Its objective is to degrade the operational capacity of the gangs to a level that Haitian institutions can manage sustainably.
“Deployments will take place in phases over the coming months,” he stated, acknowledging that “expectations remain high”.
He also highlighted the GSF’s close collaboration with regional partners and pointed to joint planning with the HNP to establish clear operating procedures, including those related to detention, transfer, and judicial processing.
“We are fully aware of the risks inherent in this mission,” Christofides said, stressing that civilian protection, the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse, and adherence to human rights law will be central.
In his address to the Security Council, Haiti’s Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé outlined three priorities for the transitional government: restoring state authority, protecting the population, and preparing for the return of constitutional order.
However, he noted that "without security, no development is possible" and urged the immediate deployment of the Gang Suppression Force.
“The Haitian people are not asking for charity. We are asking for solidarity and for means to rebuild our future,” he added.
According to the United Nations, as of today, the Trust Fund supporting the Gang Suppression Force has received a total of US$213.5 million in pledged support from 15 member states.
Haiti is facing a deepening humanitarian crisis
The Caribbean nation is grappling with escalating gang violence, the subsequent collapse of essential services, and frequent natural disasters, including floods, droughts, and earthquakes. The ongoing armed violence has brought the country to the brink of collapse. In 2026, over half of the population — 6.4 million people — requires humanitarian assistance.
More than 1.4 million people have been forced to flee their homes due to violence, marking an unprecedented level of internal displacement in Haiti. Children account for over half of those displaced within the country. Many families live in extremely precarious conditions, often lacking access to healthcare, clean water, toilets, food, schools, and adequate shelter.
Currently, at least 26 gangs operate in Port-au-Prince and its surrounding communities. In recent months, these armed groups have expanded their control to 90 percent of the capital and beyond. Amid the ongoing violence and mass displacement in Haiti, the recruitment of children by gangs increased by 200 percent in 2025.
Around half of all gang members are estimated to be under the age of 18. They often join to support their families or after receiving threats against themselves or their loved ones. Others join after being separated from their families, viewing the gangs as a means of survival and protection.
Displacement continues amid ongoing violence
In the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) reports that armed clashes around Cité Soleil and Croix-des-Bouquets have displaced approximately 5,000 people in recent days. About half of those displaced have sought shelter with host families, while the rest have relocated to overcrowded displacement sites.
The violence has led to the suspension of schooling and public transportation in these areas. Last month, nearly 3,000 people were displaced by violence in the same neighborhoods.
Armed attacks on the civilian population also persist in the Lower Artibonite region, where over 15,000 new internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been reported since the beginning of this month. These attacks, following similar ones in March, reveal a growing deterioration of the security situation.
Additionally, more than 5,600 people have been displaced by armed attacks in the municipality of Marigot in the Southeast Department. This area has previously served as a refuge for people displaced by violence elsewhere in the country. Currently, more than 165,000 men, women, and children are being hosted privately across the department.
Hunger deepens as funding shortfalls drag on
According to the latest analysis from the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC), more than 5.8 million Haitians—roughly 52 percent of the population—are facing crisis levels (IPC Phase 3) of food insecurity or worse from March to June. Of those, over 1.8 million are experiencing emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC Phase 4)
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) has called for increased support for Haiti. Despite a complex operating environment last year, WFP collaborated with the government and partners to assist approximately 2.7 million Haitians.
However, over the next 12 months, WFP requires $332 million to maintain its crucial operations. If enough funding is secured, the UN agency plans to provide critical emergency and resilience-building support to more than 2.7 million people.
Where conditions allow, the United Nations is coordinating the humanitarian response across the country in close collaboration with Haitian authorities and partner aid agencies. However, ongoing insecurity and access constraints, combined with the magnitude of the needs and insufficient funding, continue to hinder the scope and speed of humanitarian assistance in affected areas.
Funding for Haiti’s humanitarian response has plummeted, and there is no end in sight to the shortage of funds. The 2026 Humanitarian Response Plan seeks $880 million, but only 21 percent has been secured so far, raising concerns about aid agencies' ability to sustain operations in the months ahead.
Ongoing insecurity, access constraints, and funding shortfalls are expected to continue affecting humanitarian operations even as efforts to strengthen security and advance the political process move forward.