United Nations warns of escalating security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti

The United Nations has expressed deep concern regarding the persistent security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, driven by continuous violence from armed gangs. According to official UN communications, armed violence has caused the internal displacement of 1.5 million people, half of whom are children. The situation is further complicated by migratory pressures, with over 245,000 vulnerable individuals forcibly returned from neighboring Caribbean countries since the start of 2026.

On the humanitarian front, approximately 5.8 million people—nearly half the population—face acute food insecurity. The instability has paralyzed access to essential healthcare and education services. The UN also reported a severe impact on women and children, documenting over 5,500 incidents of gender-based violence, including widespread reports of sexual violence used by gangs to inflict suffering.

Regional tensions are rising following reports of an ambush in Haiti involving Salvadoran military technicians. While the Dominican Republic has pledged logistical and intelligence cooperation to assist in regional stability efforts, President Luis Abinader has reinforced the Haitian-Dominican border with additional battalions and heavy equipment. Despite these measures, the Dominican government has ruled out direct military intervention in Haiti.