Presidential elections have not been held for a decade and humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels, with millions of people struggling to meet their daily needs.
“Violence has intensified and expanded geographically, exacerbating food insecurity and instability, while transitional governance arrangements are set to expire and overdue elections remain urgent,” according to UN Secretary-General António Guterres in his latest report on the UN political mission in Haiti, BINUH.
A gang member poses with a high-caliber rifle in the Delmas 3 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince.
Why Haiti is important
The crisis in Haiti is multifaceted. Gang control of urban areas and transportation routes and increased activity in rural areas are disrupting livelihoods and humanitarian access across the country.
Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods and droughts, as well as devastating earthquakes, have worsened the humanitarian situation and complicated the country’s ability to recover and develop.
The southern city of Les Cayes is flooded due to Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.
With more than one in ten Haitians having fled their homes due to violence, the country is at risk of prolonged instability.
The movement of people, including through migration, could increase pressures on neighboring countries and undermine regional economic and security stability.
“Gang violence affects communities across the country, with particularly devastating consequences for women, children and youth, undermining the social fabric of the country in the long term.” Antonio Guterres.
Security: Gangs, violence and repressive force
Armed violence intensified in the last three months of 2025 and remains the dominant force shaping the daily lives of Haitians.
Heavy-armed gangs use sexual violence and ransom kidnappings to assert control, while police operations, sometimes supported by the UN Security Council-backed Gang Suppression Force, have pushed back in limited areas opening up some key routes.
Despite some tactical advances, killings remain widespread, especially outside the capital, and reprisals against civilians continue.
“More than 8,100 murders were documented nationwide between January and November 2025… Reports also indicated an increase in child trafficking, and children continue to be used by gangs in multiple roles, including in violent attacks.” Antonio Guterres
Politics: a transition with a deadline
Haiti’s political transition is approaching a critical deadline. An electoral decree and calendar now point to the hope of elections installing an elected president and legislature in early 2027.
“The immediate need is for national stakeholder groups to find common ground on ways to end the transition and accelerate preparations for the elections.” Antonio Guterres
People cast their votes in elections held in Port-au-Prince, the capital of Haiti, in October 2015. (file)
Some observers question whether the elections are viable without significant improvements in security.
Humanitarian needs: a system on the brink of breakdown
Humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate in Haiti as funding shortages limit the reach of life-saving assistance.
- Food insecurity affects 5.7 million people, of which almost two million are at emergency levels.
- Displacement has doubled to reach 1.4 million people in one year.
- Many health centers are barely functioning and cholera remains a “major public health problem.”
- In the 2024-25 school year, 1,600 schools closed due to violence and 1.5 million lacked access to education.
“The humanitarian response remains under-resourced and humanitarian access is increasingly difficult.” Antonio Guterres
Many children in Haiti struggle to maintain their studies.
Human rights: women and girls at extreme risk
Women and girls are among those most affected by Haiti’s crisis.
Gangs routinely use sexual violence, including gang rape, as a tool of intimidation and control. Reporting of incidents remains low due to fear and stigma, and access to survivor-focused services is limited, compounding trauma and impunity.
“I remain deeply concerned about the continued use of sexual violence by gangs, which terrorizes communities and systematically undermines the safety and dignity of women and girls.” Antonio Guterres
What is the way forward?
The UN has continually emphasized that restoring security is essential, but it is not sufficient on its own.
Without progress on governance, justice, accountability and social services, especially for young people, any progress on security will be fragile.
National consensus and sustained international support are essential to breaking the cycle of violence and instability.
“Security enforcement efforts alone will not be enough to address the broader governance issues that triggered the gang violence crisis.” Antonio Guterres
How is the UN responding?
The United Nations is supporting Haiti in several ways.
- The political mission, BINUH, provides human rights monitoring and electoral assistance and supports police development.
- UN humanitarian agencies deliver vital aid to the most vulnerable communities. The Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026 seeks $880 million to help 4.2 million people.
- Preparations are underway for the newly created United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide logistical and operational support to the Gang Suppression Force.