Millions of Haitians are grappling with severe food insecurity as armed groups expand territorial control, exacerbating one of the most profound humanitarian crises in the Western Hemisphere. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report, 5.7 million people, over half the population, are now experiencing a food crisis or worse, highlighting the escalation of hunger across the nation. A staggering 1.9 million individuals find themselves in Emergency-level hunger, characterized by large food deficits, acute malnutrition, and increased risk of mortality.
The relentless expansion of armed groups has intensified the crisis. They have seized essential roads, farmlands, and ports, displacing over 1.3 million people, reflecting a 24 percent increase since the end of 2024, as noted by the International Organization for Migration. The number of displacement sites surged from 246 to 272 between June and July 2025, following armed assaults in regions such as Dessalines, Verettes, Liancourt, and Petite Rivière.
The humanitarian challenges in these areas are stark. Thousands reside in overcrowded temporary shelters lacking basic amenities like sanitation and clean water, increasing cholera risks alongside rising reports of sexual violence, trauma, and severe hunger. This dire situation places a significant strain on the state’s ability to uphold various rights enshrined in Haiti’s 1987 Constitution, including life, health, and social welfare. Furthermore, after ratifying the International Covenant on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) in 2013, the Haitian government bears the responsibility to prevent violations related to hunger and displacement.
In an effort to address the security vacuum, the UN Security Council recently voted to replace the faltering international police mission with a more robust force. The newly approved “gang-suppression force” consists of 5,500 military, police, and civilian personnel, tasked with reclaiming control from gangs and restoring democratic governance. This force, initiated under a resolution sponsored by the U.S. and Panama, is empowered to operate independently, conduct arrests, and execute targeted operations to neutralize gangs. Their mandate includes safeguarding vital infrastructure such as ports, airports, and schools over an initial 12-month period.
This decisive action by the UN comes amidst repeated gang-related assaults, undermining social and economic institutions. More extensive measures, such as enhanced international cooperation and sustained development aid, may be pivotal in addressing the root causes of instability and rebuilding the nation’s capacity to provide for its citizens. For more information, you can explore these issues further in reports from JURIST and coverage from Reuters.