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New York – As world leaders convene at the United Nations General Assembly this week, Haiti’s escalating crisis is expected to take center stage. Human Rights Watch (HRW) has called for immediate, coordinated international efforts to address Haiti’s deepening humanitarian and security challenges, which have placed millions of lives at risk.
Haiti has been in the grip of one of the world’s most severe crises over the past three years, with violent criminal groups controlling nearly 80% of Port-au-Prince and expanding their reach into rural areas. Their brutal tactics—killings, kidnappings, and sexual violence—have forced schools and hospitals to close and driven almost 5 million Haitians into acute food insecurity, including 1.6 million facing emergency levels. The daily struggle for survival has overwhelmed the country’s limited resources.
Call for Global Commitments
HRW researchers, Nathalye Cotrino and Ida Sawyer, emphasized that despite the gravity of Haiti’s crisis, there is an urgent opportunity for international actors to step up with tangible commitments. They pointed to the recent developments under Haiti’s new transitional prime minister, Garry Conille, who has pledged to prioritize rule of law, combat corruption, and respect human rights. This comes as a shift from past political dynamics where elites and political actors have aligned with criminal networks to secure resources and rig elections.
Conille’s administration has also developed a roadmap that includes key recommendations from HRW and local civil society groups to tackle the crisis. However, while these commitments represent a glimmer of hope, the current resources allocated to Haiti fall drastically short.
Multinational Security Support Mission and Funding Shortfalls
The UN-authorized Multinational Security Support mission (MSS), led by Kenya, aims to restore basic National Police. However, it has only deployed 425 of the planned 2,500 personnel and received limited financial backing—around $85 million through a UN Trust Fund, with additional U.S. contributions of $369 million. These amounts fall short of the estimated $600 million needed annually.
Meanwhile, the UN’s humanitarian appeal for Haiti remains underfunded, with only 35% of the required $677 million secured, leaving a $437.5 million gap. These funding shortfalls hinder efforts to restore state control, provide basic services such as food and healthcare, rebuild the justice system, and support survivors of sexual violence.
The Road Ahead
Haiti’s transitional government and the MSS will require substantial international assistance to meet the scale of the crisis. Global leaders at the UN General Assembly are being urged to provide more financial, technical, and logistical support. Without this, efforts to stabilize Haiti and protect its vulnerable populations may fall short, prolonging the suffering of millions.
Humanitarian and human rights organizations working on the ground continue to advocate for swift and coordinated action, stressing that the time to act is now.
