Translation. Region: Russian Federal
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
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October 2, 2025 Peace and security
"The human rights situation in Haiti has reached a critical point," the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights stated on Thursday. Speaking at a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Volker Türk noted that the level of violence in the country has increased significantly since the publication of his previous report on Haiti in March.
"I welcome the UN Security Council's decision to strengthen the Multinational Security Assistance Mission in Haiti by transforming it into an Anti-Gang Force. This is a strong signal of international support for the people of Haiti," the High Commissioner said.
Since January 1, 2022, Türk continued, more than 16,000 people have been killed and approximately 7,000 wounded in armed clashes. It is estimated that between 270,000 and 500,000 firearms are circulating illegally in Haiti, with the majority of them in the hands of gangs.
"Gangs kill and kidnap people, extort money at illegal checkpoints, hijack trucks carrying food and other goods, and burn and destroy homes, hospitals, schools, and public buildings," the High Commissioner said. "They resort to mass sexual violence to assert their dominance, expand their territorial influence, and displace the population."
© J. Clarke
Delivery of humanitarian aid is extremely limited.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Thursday that increasing violence by armed groups in Haiti's capital is limiting the delivery of humanitarian aid. At the same time, due to severe funding shortages, the WFP is being forced to reduce food rations and suspend programs.
Armed groups reportedly control nearly 90 percent of Port-au-Prince. As a result, more and more farmers are losing access to markets, further weakening the already fragile food system and leading to rising food prices.
Around 1.3 million people have been forced to flee their homes in search of food and shelter. Thousands of families, deprived of income and education, are sheltering in schools and public buildings. More than half of the displaced are children.
A funding shortage forced the WFP to suspend hot meal distributions to displaced families and halve food rations. For the first time in its history, resource constraints prevented the WFP from pre-positioning food reserves in Haiti for disaster response during the Atlantic hurricane season.
"Violence has permeated every corner of Port-au-Prince, leaving no peaceful neighborhoods in the capital, and armed groups have begun to infiltrate previously peaceful rural areas," said Wanja Kaaria, head of the WFP office in Haiti. Today, approximately half of Haiti's population—5.7 million people—suffers from acute food insecurity.
Working in conditions of funding shortages
Despite limited access and extremely dangerous conditions, WFP has provided assistance to approximately two million Haitians since January 2025. More than 70 percent of school meals are prepared from locally sourced ingredients, creating income sources for farmers and suppliers. WFP has also launched targeted infrastructure projects in communities, including areas controlled by armed groups, to restore irrigation systems and increase local food production.
Haiti is the only country in the Americas and one of five in the world experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger. The WFP needs $139 million over the next 12 months to help the country's most vulnerable families.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.
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