Gang violence has plunged Haiti into chaos, forcing a staggering 1.3 million people to flee their homes in search of safety within the country. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) revealed this alarming statistic, marking a 24% surge from December 2024 and representing the largest wave of internal displacement due to violence ever recorded in the nation.
Amy Pope, IOM Director General, expressed deep concern for the individuals behind these numbers, emphasizing,
“Behind these numbers are so many individual people whose suffering is immeasurable; children, mothers, the elderly, many of them forced to flee their homes multiple times.”
The situation in Haiti has reached a critical juncture as escalating gang violence grips the nation tightly in its clutches. Port-au-Prince stands at the epicenter of this crisis with a staggering 85% under gang control. However, violence has spilled beyond the capital’s borders, intensifying across other regions in recent months.
In response to this dire scenario, global leaders convened at UN Headquarters to deliberate on ways to restore peace and stability to Haiti after years marred by turmoil and crisis. The Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) meeting aimed at exploring avenues for local peace consolidation and violence reduction through empowering women and youth in community-led initiatives.
Bob Rae, President of ECOSOC, described Haiti’s current state as “truly existential,
” highlighting the urgent need for collective action beyond merely bolstering security measures: “
It’s important that we have a meaningful discussion about what we can do together to address these problems.”
María Isabel Salvador, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti echoed Rae’s sentiments by underscoring that addressing Haiti’s multifaceted crisis demands equally diverse solutions involving robust international support encompassing security assistance alongside peacebuilding efforts.
As violence permeates different regions like Artibonite and Centre departments leading to mass displacements totaling over 1.3 million people seeking refuge internally since December last year alone. The number of spontaneous displacement sites has surged from 142 to 246 during this period.
The humanitarian situation continues deteriorating rapidly as armed conflict disrupts vital services crucial for survival among displaced communities prompting urgent calls for action from global entities such as OCHA , stressing that resilience cannot be Haitians’ sole refuge amidst pervasive crises.
Philémon Yang , President of the General Assembly emphasized rallying concerted UN efforts towards ensuring Haiti does not succumb to fear but receives unwavering global commitment towards peace-building efforts fostering opportunities and dignity amid adversity.
