New York, 21 April 2025
Mr. President,
Distinguished Members of the Council,
Excellencies,
I thank you for welcoming me once again today and for giving me the opportunity to address you at this critical moment for Haiti.
Since my last briefing to the Council in January, the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated yet again. Today, I wish to raise an alarm and issue a call that may help you grasp what risks becoming a point of no return in Haiti’s crisis.
Since late January, organized criminal groups have launched coordinated attacks to expand territorial control and undermine State authority. They targeted Kenscoff, the last road out of Port-au-Prince not fully under gang control, and advanced simultaneously into Delmas, downtown Port-au-Prince, and Pétion-Ville—areas previously spared—deepening the city’s destabilization.
Attacks have also spread across the West, Centre, and Artibonite departments, signaling a strategy aimed at stretching national security forces. Most recently, gangs seized Mirebalais. During that attack, more than 500 inmates were freed in the fifth prison break in less than a year—part of a deliberate effort to entrench dominance, dismantle institutions, and instill fear.
The scale and duration of this violence have overwhelmed the Haitian National Police, despite support from the Armed Forces of Haiti and the Multinational Security Support Mission, further obstructing stabilization efforts.
In February and March alone, 1,086 people were killed and 383 others injured. According to the International Organization for Migration, over 60,000 people were forcibly displaced in the past two months, adding to the one million already displaced by December 2024. These figures are expected to rise.
The scale of violence has sown panic among Haitians, who fear the total collapse of the State under pressure from criminal groups. Many have organized themselves to protect their neighborhoods, families, and communities.
In recent days, frustration has driven thousands of citizens to take to the streets demanding more effective measures, while some political actors have exploited the growing insecurity to challenge the authorities in power.
National authorities have intensified their efforts, within their limited means, to strengthen the security forces and improve coordination between the police, the Armed Forces of Haiti, and the Multinational Security Support Mission.
On 14 April, a revised budget was adopted to support the capacities of the police and the army. It is essential that any future measures reinforce security institutions in full respect of the rule of law, under civilian authority, and in compliance with human rights standards.
Nevertheless, I must be very frank, responsible, and honest: no effort by the Haitian Government alone will be sufficient to significantly reduce the intensity and violence of criminal groups.
In this context—and even if it may sound repetitive—stepping up international support for Haiti is more critical than ever, particularly through increased funding and enhanced operational capacity for the Multinational Security Support Mission.
I commend Kenya’s steadfast leadership and thank all contributing Member States. But at this critical juncture, all Member States must increase their support to Haiti’s security forces—particularly the Multinational Security Support Mission—not as a matter of choice, but of necessity, as no viable alternative remains.
The Secretary-General’s letter of 24 February to the Council contains proposals that must be urgently considered.
Mr. President, Excellencies,
As the security crisis affects all aspects of life in Haiti, the United Nations’ presence is also under strain. The ongoing isolation of the capital—due to the suspension of commercial flights since November 2024 and blocked road access—remains the most significant operational challenge. In response, BINUH and United Nations agencies have adopted hybrid working modalities and reduced their presence in Port-au-Prince in order to maintain operations and deliver life-saving assistance.
However, without sufficient and predictable funding, even a minimal United Nations presence may become unsustainable, jeopardizing our ability to deliver on mandate priorities. I thank the World Food Programme and UNHAS for ensuring access under extreme constraints and urge continued and scaled-up support to WFP Haiti.
Without this critical lifeline, United Nations operations could be further reduced—at a time when the country needs us most.
Mr. President,
Despite enormous security challenges, Haitian authorities, with the support of BINUH, have taken steps to advance the political process. The Presidential Transitional Council, led by Mr. Fritz Jean, has reaffirmed its commitment to hold elections and transfer power to elected authorities by February 2026, in accordance with the agreement reached one year ago.
The Steering Committee of the National Conference has conducted broad consultations across the country’s departments and with the diaspora on constitutional reform, while the Provisional Electoral Council has launched consultations with political actors and civil society and advanced administrative and logistical preparations.
UNDP has reconfigured its electoral support project, and a United Nations agency Task Force, under BINUH’s leadership, has been established in line with the recommendations of the Needs Assessment Mission. Despite these developments, many remain concerned about the feasibility of the timeline, as the deteriorating security situation undermines the essential preparations required to organize an inclusive, participatory, and credible referendum and elections.
BINUH remains committed to supporting authorities and stakeholders in engaging constructively on how to realistically advance electoral preparations, while recognizing that restoring security and a stable environment is essential to ending the cycle of transitional arrangements and replacing them with democratically elected institutions.
In light of the deteriorating environment and in line with the Secretary-General’s message, it is vital to align BINUH’s scope with realities on the ground.
Strategic prioritization of the mandate—based on the current security context and available resources—is essential to enable the Mission to deliver meaningfully on its core responsibilities: political dialogue, national capacity support, community violence reduction, human rights protection, and the creation of conditions conducive to democratic renewal. This is a call to focus BINUH’s efforts where they can be most impactful, sustainable, and credible.
Amid widespread insecurity, BINUH continues to support governance improvements and political progress. We are working closely with the newly appointed National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration. Its establishment reflects the determination of national authorities to move forward despite the challenges.
Work on the National Strategy for Community Violence Reduction and a draft law on weapons and ammunition represents further steps toward reducing violence.
I welcome the Government’s recent decree establishing specialized judicial units to address heinous crimes, financial crimes, and corruption, as well as its commitment to prosecuting white-collar criminals and financiers of criminal groups, and to strengthening controls over arms and illicit trafficking.
The United Nations in Haiti has long supported these efforts through advocacy and technical assistance. I urge the authorities to implement these measures without delay.
I also call on this Council to renew its engagement and support for the Sanctions Committee and the Panel of Experts, including by adding names to the sanctions list and urging Member States to fully enforce the arms embargo.
Justice is a system; it requires every part to act for it to function.
Haiti’s humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels. Cholera outbreaks and gender-based violence—particularly in displacement sites—are widespread. Insecurity has forced the closure of 39 health facilities and more than 900 schools in Port-au-Prince.
I urge Member States to support the 2025 Humanitarian Response Plan. The United Nations remains committed to delivering life-saving assistance—especially to women, girls, and children—and to promoting social peace through government-led initiatives.
Mr. President,
Haiti has reached a pivotal moment. As I have already stated, we are approaching a point of no return. As gang violence spreads to new areas of the country, Haitians face growing vulnerability and increasing skepticism regarding the State’s ability to respond to their needs.
National security forces, despite deploying their utmost efforts, cannot succeed without a unified and strategic command structure—free from political interference and operating under civilian authority. They also require more specialized anti-gang units, better equipment, and improved working conditions.
However—and this must be stated clearly—without timely, decisive, and concrete international assistance, the security situation in Haiti may not improve.
Haiti could descend into total chaos, and any delay in your support could directly contribute to such a dramatic deterioration. I urge you to remain engaged and to respond to the urgent needs of the country and its people.
For its part, notwithstanding the immense security challenges we face, BINUH, in accordance with the mandate entrusted to it by this Council, will spare no effort in supporting the Haitian-led political process toward the restoration of democratic institutions, as soon as conditions allow.