UN Report: Nearly 5,000 Killed in Haiti Amid Expanding Gang Violence

A new United Nations report paints a grim picture of the deteriorating security situation in Haiti. Between October 2024 and June 2025, nearly 5,000 people have been killed, the majority in and around Port-au-Prince. The violence is largely attributed to heavily armed gangs fighting for control over key neighborhoods, leaving civilians caught in the crossfire.

What alarms the UN most is the rapid expansion of this violence beyond the capital. Once relatively calm regions such as Artibonite, the Central Plateau, and parts of the South are now experiencing attacks, kidnappings, and roadblocks set up by criminal groups. This spread reflects the weakening of state authority and the growing reach of gang networks into rural and semi-urban communities.

The humanitarian consequences are severe. Health facilities are closing due to insecurity, aid convoys are being hijacked, and medical personnel are fleeing volatile areas. As a result, thousands of Haitians are left without access to basic healthcare, food, or protection, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis.

The UN is calling for urgent international action. It urges both the Haitian authorities and the global community to prioritize restoring security, protecting civilians, and ensuring safe humanitarian access. Without a coordinated and decisive response, Haiti risks sliding even further into chaos and lawlessness.