UN Official: Haiti’s Destiny is “Bright” Despite Terrifying Escalation of Violence

Violence and Instability

A senior United Nations official has said that Haiti’s destiny is “bright” despite the terrifying escalation of violence.

Ulrika Richardson, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Haiti, said that offering Haiti’s young people alternatives to gang life and strengthening local institutions are key for the French-speaking Caribbean nation to “reclaim its position as a symbol of hope.”

The UN said Haiti is faced with a multifaceted crisis, including rising gang violence, political instability, the displacement of over 700,000 people, as well as widespread hunger.

The United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, has reported a sharp increase in the recruitment of minors by armed gangs, with the number of child recruits rising by 70 percent in the past year.

Escalation of Violence

“There has been a terrifying escalation of violence in certain parts of Haiti, which is tearing at the very fabric of society,” Richardson said. “There have been horrific massacres in the last three months of the year both in the capital Port-au-Prince, but also in nearby l’Artibonite.”

“These brutal acts of dehumanization will only deepen the collective trauma of the Haitian people,” she added. “We cannot ignore this reality. We must center these horrific events in our response, urgently expanding mental health and psychosocial support programs and integrating them into our long-term plan for stability.”

UN’s Response

“As the UN, we are committed to staying in Haiti to help the most vulnerable people through the current crisis,” Richardson continued. “We need to protect people in highly vulnerable situations, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where security forces cannot protect citizens.”

“This means supporting the hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people,” she said. “The UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator noted families have fled their homes, often multiple times.”

“So, we can start to imagine the magnitude of the wound they carry, and we must ensure they live in decent conditions,” she said. “So, at the moment, security is a prerequisite before addressing humanitarian challenges and looking at a durable recovery.”

Government’s Commitment

Richardson said the Haitian government is committed to its ambitious electoral agenda, including constitutional reform, which requires investment in economic recovery and social peace.

While security is essential to creating an environment where citizens can and want to vote, “there needs to be a doubling of efforts from UN Member-States on all fronts today, not tomorrow when it’s too late.”

Conclusion

Haiti’s destiny is as bright as any other country,” the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator declared. “It must reclaim its position as a symbol of hope, independence, and freedom.

There have been a lot of mistakes, but we need to learn from yesterday and see how we can improve things,” she added. “If you look at economic incentives, why hasn’t there been investment in the country’s productive capacities? Right now, insecurity has discouraged foreign investors because they need to have some guarantee of stability.

FAQs

Q: What is the current situation in Haiti?

A: Haiti is facing a multifaceted crisis, including rising gang violence, political instability, the displacement of over 700,000 people, as well as widespread hunger.

Q: What is the UN’s response to the crisis?

A: The UN is committed to staying in Haiti to help the most vulnerable people through the current crisis, and is working closely with the government, transitional authorities, civil society, and the private sector to make 2025 a better year than 2024.

Q: What is the Haitian government’s commitment to the crisis?

A: The Haitian government is committed to its ambitious electoral agenda, including constitutional reform, which requires investment in economic recovery and social peace.