Haiti — State Collapse, Hunger, and the Struggle for Security
A nation on the brink faces famine, gang domination, and a slow international response, despite UN authorisation of a new multinational force.
Updated 13 Nov 2025 | Location: Port-au-Prince, Artibonite, and nationwide
At a Glance
| Status | State of emergency extended; UN-backed multinational security mission preparing deployment amid worsening gang control. [UN; Reuters; The Guardian] |
| Period Covered | Jan 2024 – Nov 2025 (current) |
| Lead Actors | Government of Haiti (transitional council); gang coalitions; UN Security Council and contributing states (Kenya, Jamaica, Benin). [UN; Al Jazeera; Washington Post] |
| Affected Civilians | Over 6 million face acute food insecurity; hospitals and aid workers targeted by gang violence. [Al Jazeera; MSF; ICRC] |
| UN / Regional Mechanisms | UN Security Council Resolution 418 (2025) authorising Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission; BINUH and OCHA frameworks in place. [UN; ReliefWeb] |
Timeline of Key Events
- Aug 2024 — Widespread displacement as gang coalitions expand control across Port-au-Prince and Artibonite. [AP; Reuters]
- 30 Sep 2025 — UN Security Council authorises deployment of new international force led by Kenya. [The Guardian; Washington Post]
- Oct 2025 — Six million people reported in acute hunger; humanitarian access blocked in multiple zones. [Al Jazeera; ReliefWeb]
- Nov 2025 — MSF and ICRC warn that the health system is collapsing as violence cuts off care facilities. [MSF; ICRC]
Metrics & Indicators
| Indicator | Baseline | Current Status | Target (Five Actions) |
| Durable ceasefire in place | None; local truces sporadic (2023) | No formal ceasefire; gang control extends to 80% of capital. [Reuters; Washington Post] | Ceasefire framework with third-party monitoring under MSS |
| Humanitarian access | Restricted but operational (early 2024) | Aid convoys blocked; health access collapsing. [ICRC; MSF] | Restored corridors under UN-carve-out framework |
| Food security / malnutrition | ~2.5 million acutely food insecure (2022) | Over 6 million acutely hungry; 1.6 million at emergency levels. [Al Jazeera; ReliefWeb] | Stabilise below 2 million through secured supply and aid access |
| Displacement | ~150,000 (2022) | Over 500,000 displaced internally; multiple slums emptied. [UN; ICRC] | Voluntary return supported by recovery programs |
| Estimated people affected | ~3 million (2019 baseline) | ~8.4 million affected by violence, hunger, or lack of access. [ReliefWeb; MSF; ICRC] | Under 3 million with full MSS and humanitarian stabilisation |
| Information environment | Active but fragile local media | Fragmented; reporters face threats; community stations disrupted. [Ayibopost; Le Nouvelliste] | Protected information networks with verified reporting |
Situation Overview
Haiti faces simultaneous humanitarian and governance collapse. The state of emergency continues amid rampant gang violence, acute food insecurity, and institutional paralysis. [ReliefWeb; Al Jazeera; Reuters]
The UN Security Council authorised a multinational security support mission led by Kenya in September 2025, but deployment delays have left the population exposed. [The Guardian; UN; Washington Post]
Healthcare infrastructure is nearing collapse as attacks on hospitals force MSF and ICRC to suspend or relocate operations. [MSF; ICRC]
Why It Matters
Haiti’s crisis represents a critical test of collective security and humanitarian coordination. Without credible law enforcement and humanitarian access, millions remain beyond reach and regional instability deepens. [UN; ReliefWeb; Al Jazeera]
Application of the Five Actions
- Ceasefire Services Package – Support gang ceasefire verification via local UN-police liaison and rapid response logistics. [UN; Reuters]
- Rapid Mediation Window – Enable community-level dialogue in Port-au-Prince, Artibonite, and Cap-Haïtien to de-escalate local violence. [Le Nouvelliste; Ayibopost]
- Peacebuilding Fund – Recovery & Stabilisation Window – Finance community infrastructure and job programs tied to stabilisation areas. [ReliefWeb; ICRC]
- Humanitarian Carve-Outs – Protect healthcare, food convoys, and schools through designated safe zones. [MSF; ReliefWeb]
- UN-Tech Joint Cell – Build a secure information platform linking UN, NGOs, and media for verified incident tracking. [UN; Ayibopost]
Key Takeaways
- 6 million Haitians face acute hunger under expanding gang control. [Al Jazeera]
- International security assistance remains delayed and fragmented. [Guardian; Washington Post]
- Implementation of Five Actions could stabilise security and reopen humanitarian access. [ReliefWeb; UN]
Likely Outcome
Without a credible security presence and access carve-outs, humanitarian collapse will deepen. If the MSS mission deploys and the Five Actions are coordinated, food and health systems can be stabilised within six months. [UN; ICRC; MSF]
Accountability Today
Accountability mechanisms remain weak. Reports of police abuses and gang infiltration persist, while journalists face intimidation and NGOs operate under threat. [UN; Ayibopost; Le Nouvelliste]
Accountability with the Five Actions Implemented
Deployment of a UN-Tech Joint Cell and transparent community monitoring would enable data-driven reporting, independent verification, and strengthened civilian oversight. [UN; ReliefWeb]
Implementation Path
- Immediate (0–30 days): Establish operational base for MSS in Port-au-Prince and secure humanitarian corridors. [UN; Reuters]
- 30–90 days: Launch ceasefire verification and local mediation frameworks. [ReliefWeb; Le Nouvelliste]
- Quarterly: Integrate joint reporting dashboards for aid delivery and gang control mapping. [UN; Ayibopost]
Sources
Sources are provided for context only. All rights remain with original publishers.
The Spirit of Dag – Reflection
“The Charter does not need rewriting; it needs remembering.”
– The Spirit of Dag
Haiti shows the cost of global neglect — the Five Actions offer a path to restore safety, access, and human dignity.
