The United Nations has issued a dire warning over the deteriorating situation in Haiti, cautioning that the country is edging dangerously close to a total state collapse as armed gangs tighten their control, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
In a report presented to the UN Security Council, Miroslav Jenca, Assistant Secretary-General for the Americas at the Department of Political Affairs, described the extent of the crisis: “Port-au-Prince is effectively paralysed. Gangs have isolated the capital, and the suspension of international commercial flights has further deepened the city’s isolation.”
Ghada Fathi Waly, briefing the Council remotely from Vienna, reinforced the gravity of the crisis. “With the rapid expansion of gang control, the state’s ability to govern is diminishing at an alarming rate bringing severe social, economic, and security consequences,” she said.
The crisis unfolds as Kenyan police officers, leading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission, continue to face significant challenges in their efforts to restore order. Despite recently marking one year in Haiti, the Kenyan contingent has struggled to contain the growing power of gangs, largely due to inadequate funding, limited resources, and logistical constraints. These setbacks have drawn scrutiny from both local and international observers.
The situation on the ground has become increasingly dire. According to the UN Integrated Office in Haiti, more than 4,000 people have been killed since January a 24 percent increase compared to the same period in 2024. As the state’s ability to protect civilians weakens, frustration among the public has surged.
This growing disillusionment has given rise to vigilante and community-based self-defence groups. While some of these groups have formed out of desperation to safeguard their communities, many operate outside the bounds of legal authority. In some cases, they have been linked to extrajudicial killings or collaborations with gang elements.
The emergence of such groups has also accelerated demand for firearms, including military-grade weapons contributing to a thriving illicit arms trade and raising concerns over legal weapons falling into criminal hands.
Amid this breakdown in security, the wider economic and humanitarian landscape continues to deteriorate. Human rights violations are escalating, and the international community now faces increasing pressure to act decisively to prevent the total collapse of governance in Haiti.
