Haiti’s Escalating Violence Displaces 1.3 Million as UN-Backed Mission Struggles

Haiti’s Escalating Violence Displaces 1.3 Million as UN-Backed Mission Struggles
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One year after the deployment of the United Nations-authorized Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, violence and human rights abuses continue to escalate, displacing nearly 1.3 million people—the highest number ever recorded in the country, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

Despite efforts by the MSS, the mission remains critically under-resourced, with shortfalls in personnel, funding, and equipment limiting its ability to curb the violence. Current deployment stands at just 991 officers from five contributing countries, far below the expected 2,500. Only three of the planned twelve operational bases have been established.

According to the UN, at least 2,680 people have been killed and 957 injured in ongoing violence, which has spread from the capital to previously safer regions. A sharp increase in child rights violations was also documented, including a twelvefold rise in the recruitment of children into criminal groups and a surge in sexual violence.

Interviews conducted by Human Rights Watch and its partners with displaced individuals revealed harrowing accounts of sudden attacks, widespread fear, and repeated displacement. Many were professionals or students who had not previously been directly affected by violence. Victims reported being forced to flee with little notice as armed groups warned of imminent attacks, often using messaging apps. Homes were looted and set on fire, and in many cases, the police were absent.

Displaced people are now spread across all ten departments in Haiti, with over 246 informal sites sheltering large numbers in overcrowded, unsafe conditions. More than half of those displaced are women and girls, with thousands facing acute food insecurity and limited access to essential services.

The UN Humanitarian Response Plan remains severely underfunded, and the lack of a coordinated national strategy continues to hamper aid efforts.
Human Rights Watch has urged the UN Security Council to reinforce the MSS and transform it into a full UN mission with a stronger mandate and adequate resources to protect civilians and prevent further deterioration. As violence continues to surge, humanitarian groups warn of worsening conditions and call for immediate international action to address the crisis.