{"id":55952,"date":"2025-04-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/haiti-faces-point-of-no-return-as-gang-violence-fuels-chaos\/"},"modified":"2025-04-21T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-04-21T12:00:00","slug":"haiti-faces-point-of-no-return-as-gang-violence-fuels-chaos","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=55952","title":{"rendered":"Haiti faces \u2018point of no return\u2019 as gang violence fuels chaos"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Special Representative Mar\u00eda Isabel Salvador told ambassadors in the Security Council that a \u201cdeliberate and coordinated\u201d campaign is being waged by organized crime groups to expand territorial control and paralyse the capital, Port-au-Prince. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Recent gang attacks have targeted previously unaffected areas such as Delmas and P\u00e9tion-Ville, while the storming of the town of Mirebalais marked the fifth prison break in less than a year.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe magnitude of the violence has sown panic among the population<\/strong>,\u201d Ms. Salvador said.<\/p>\n
In February and March, more than 1,000 people were killed and nearly 400 injured, according to UN figures. A further 60,000 have been newly displaced, adding to the one million Haitians already forced from their homes as of late 2024.<\/p>\n
In the face of rampant violence, many Haitians have formed protection groups to safeguard property, families and communities. Public frustration has also prompted thousands of citizens to take to the streets, demanding more security.<\/p>\n
International support vital<\/h2>\n
While authorities have taken steps \u2013 within their limited means \u2013 to reinforce security operations and policing, these efforts alone are insufficient.<\/p>\n
Ms. Salvador stressed the urgent need for the international community to step up support.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt this critical juncture, all Member States must increase support to Haiti\u2019s security forces, particularly the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission \u2013 not as a matter of choice but of necessity<\/strong>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe country needs us more than ever,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Authorised by the Security Council in October 2023, the MSS Mission is an international security initiative to assist the Haitian National Police in combating gang violence and restoring public order.<\/p>\n
Led by Kenya, the mission provides operational support, capacity-building, and coordinates with police and the armed forces. However, it continues to face severe challenges, including lack of resources and personnel.<\/p>\n
UN operations strained<\/h2>\n
The crisis is affecting all aspects of life in Haiti. Commercial flights into Port-au-Prince remain suspended and key roads are blocked, straining UN operations and forcing agencies to reduce their footprint and provide lifesaving support remotely.<\/p>\n
However, even minimal operations are becoming unsustainable due to funding shortfalls.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe UN\u2019s ability to stay operational hinges on continued access, predictable funding and support to logistical lifelines<\/strong> like the World Food Programme (WFP) and the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS),\u201d Ms. Salvador said, warning that any further reduction in aid capacity could have dire consequences.<\/p>\n
Fears of total collapse<\/h2>\n
The worsening situation has also crippled health and education services.<\/p>\n
At least 39 health facilities and over 900 schools have shut down due to insecurity<\/strong>. Cholera outbreaks are spreading, and sexual and gender-based violence is on the rise \u2013 especially in displacement sites where shelter, sanitation and protection are severely lacking.<\/p>\n
Ms. Salvador emphasised that while national authorities are doing what they can to coordinate security efforts, they lack the resources and capacity to counter well-armed and coordinated gangs without external assistance.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are approaching a point of no return<\/strong>,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWithout timely and decisive international support, the violence will continue to escalate, and Haiti could face total collapse.<\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\nSRSG Salvador briefs the Security Council.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n