{"id":81754,"date":"2026-01-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-01-21T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/haiti-explained-why-the-crisis-is-deepening-and-what-comes-next\/"},"modified":"2026-01-21T12:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-01-21T12:00:00","slug":"haiti-explained-why-the-crisis-is-deepening-and-what-comes-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gulftimes.ae\/?p=81754","title":{"rendered":"Haiti explained: why the crisis is deepening \u2014 and what comes next"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Armed gangs control large swathes of territory and violence has spread well beyond the capital Port-au-Prince, weakening the State\u2019s ability to govern and deliver basic services.<\/p>\n
Presidential elections have not been held for a decade and humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels with millions struggling to meet their daily needs.<\/p>\n
\u201cViolence has intensified and expanded geographically, exacerbating food insecurity and instability, as transitional governance arrangements near expiry and overdue elections remain urgent,\u201d according to the UN Secretary-General Ant\u00f3nio Guterres in his latest report on the UN\u2019s political mission in Haiti, BINUH.<\/p>\n
A gang member poses with a high-calibre rifle in the Delmas 3 neighbourhood of Port-au-Prince.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Why Haiti matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The crisis in Haiti is multifaceted. Gang control of urban zones and transport routes and increased activity in rural areas, are disrupting livelihoods and humanitarian access nationwide.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods and droughts as well as devastating earthquakes have worsened the humanitarian situation and complicated the ability of the country to recover and develop.<\/p>\n
The southern city of Les Cayes is flooded due to Hurricane Melissa in October 2025.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
With more than one in ten Haitians having fled their homes due to violence, the country risks prolonged instability.<\/p>\n
The displacement of people – including through migration \u2013 could heighten pressures on neighbouring countries and undermine regional economic and security stability.<\/p>\n
\u201cGang violence affects communities nationwide, with particularly devastating consequences for women, children and youth, undermining the country\u2019s social fabric over the long term.\u201d Ant\u00f3nio Guterres.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Security: Gangs, violence and the suppression force<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Armed violence intensified in the last three months of 2025 and remains the dominant force shaping the daily life of Haitians.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gangs with heavy weapons, use sexual violence and kidnappings for ransom to assert control, while police operations \u2013 sometimes supported by the UN Security Council-backed Gang Suppression Force \u2013 have pushed back in limited areas opening some key routes.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Despite some tactical gains, killings remain widespread, especially outside the capital, and reprisals against civilians continue.<\/p>\n
\u201cMore than 8,100 killings were documented nationwide between January and November 2025. \u2026Reports also indicated an increase in the trafficking in children, with children continuing to be used by gangs in multiple roles, including in violent attacks.\u201d Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Politics: a transition facing a deadline<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Haiti\u2019s political transition is approaching a critical deadline. An electoral decree and calendar now point to the hope that elections will take place which will see the installation of an elected President and Legislature in early 2027.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cThe immediate need is for national stakeholder groups to find common ground on ways to end the transition and accelerate preparations for elections.\u201d Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
Many children in Haiti are struggling to maintain their studies.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Human rights: Women and girls at extreme risk<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Women and girls are among the most affected by Haiti\u2019s crisis.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gangs routinely use sexual violence, including collective rape, as a tool of intimidation and control. The reporting of incidents remains low due to fear and stigma, and access to survivor-centred services is limited, compounding trauma and impunity.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remain deeply concerned by the continued use of sexual violence by gangs, which terrorizes communities and systematically undermines the safety and dignity of women and girls.\u201d Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
What is the way forward?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The UN has continually emphasized that restoring security is essential, but it is not enough on its own.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Without progress on governance, justice, accountability and social services, especially for youth, any security gains will be fragile.\u00a0<\/p>\n
National consensus and sustained international support are critical to breaking the cycle of violence and instability.<\/p>\n
\u201cSecurity enforcement efforts alone will not be enough to address the broader governance problems that triggered the gang violence crisis.\u201d Ant\u00f3nio Guterres<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n
How is the UN responding?<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The United Nations is supporting Haiti in a number of ways.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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The political mission,\u00a0BINUH provides human rights monitoring and electoral assistance and supports police development.<\/li>\n
UN Humanitarian agencies deliver life-saving aid to the most vulnerable communities. The\u00a0Humanitarian Response Plan for 2026 is seeking $880 million to assist 4.2 million people.<\/li>\n
Preparations are under way for the recently-established United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH) to provide logistical and operational backing to the Gang Suppression Force.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
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