The UN reports Haiti’s security crisis is worsening, with armed gangs controlling 90% of Port-au-Prince. Rising violence has displaced 1.3 million people—urgent international action is needed.

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Haiti Faces Record Displacement as 1.3 Million Flee Gang Violence

The security crisis in Haiti has reached an unsustainable level, according to Ghada Waly, Executive Director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), during a recent UN Security Council session. Waly warned that the capital, Port-au-Prince, is now almost entirely under the control of armed gangs, who dominate roughly 90% of the city.

The expansion and tactical adaptation of these gangs have not only dismantled what remained of the rule of law but also intensified the suffering of the Haitian people. Violence has surged to critical levels, with over 1.3 million internally displaced persons and a 24% increase in homicides compared to the previous year—including tragic losses of children and women.

Despite efforts by Haiti’s government to advance a political process that could bring stability, Miroslav Jenča, UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia, and the Americas, emphasized that any progress is inherently tied to security improvements. The current situation presents a monumental challenge, with gang violence affecting all metropolitan communities and beyond.

The UNODC has reaffirmed its commitment to working with Haitian institutions and international partners to restore security and the rule of law. However, the complexity of the crisis suggests that a more robust and coordinated intervention is needed to address the root causes and deliver sustainable solutions.

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