The United Nations has warned that Haiti is facing a rapidly worsening humanitarian crisis, with violence, displacement, insecurity and natural hazards affecting millions across the country.
Addressing the UN Security Council, Indrika Ratwatte, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, said more than half of Haiti’s estimated 6.4 million population requires humanitarian assistance.
Nearly 1.5 million people are internally displaced, including many children, while almost 200,000 people have been forcibly returned to Haiti in the first eight months of 2026, creating additional protection challenges.
Ratwatte said healthcare access has also deteriorated, with only 10% of health facilities with inpatient capacity remaining operational in Port-au-Prince. He called for protection of humanitarian workers and maintaining a clear distinction between humanitarian and security actors to preserve aid access.
Closing his remarks, Ratwatte outlined three priorities: ending violence, ensuring sustained humanitarian funding, and addressing the underlying causes of the crisis through improvements in security, political stability and essential services. He said Haiti’s people deserve “safety, opportunity, and hope for a better future.”
The recent attack in Kenscoff, a community near Port-au-Prince, has become a stark example of Haiti’s worsening security crisis. The assault, carried out by armed gangs in late August 2026, killed at least 47 people, injured others, and forced more than 2,600 residents to flee their homes, while more than 50 people were reportedly abducted.
The violence has intensified concerns over the expansion of armed groups beyond the capital and the ability of authorities to protect civilians.
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