UN Envoy Reports Grim Situation in Haiti, Calls for Urgent Action

On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, Maria Isabel Salvador, the head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), painted a bleak picture of Haiti’s current state during a UN Security Council meeting.

Salvador emphasized that the situation in the country “has not improved,” with a 22% increase in the number of internally displaced persons, a clear indication of the worsening humanitarian crisis.Salvador highlighted significant obstacles facing the country’s political process, warning that initial hope had now turned into “deep concern.”

She reminded the council that Haiti’s new transitional governance framework, the anticipated deployment of a multinational mission, and the prospect of elections by the end of 2025 had initially raised hopes of stabilization.

“Nevertheless, time is passing,” she warned, noting that the situation has stagnated in the face of the growing threat posed by armed gangs, which now control large portions of the country.

The country remains trapped in a spiral of violence, with weakened institutions as gangs impose their rule and hinder any attempts at reform or normalization.

Salvador pointed out that the slow implementation of international initiatives and the lack of tangible progress on the ground have only exacerbated tensions.

Once promising, the political climate is now marked by deep uncertainty, further complicating efforts to restore stability.Salvador’s message to the Security Council was clear: without decisive and swift action, the future of Haiti remains at serious risk.