Haiti Faces Escalating Gang Violence Displacing Over 1.3 Million

Haiti is currently facing a severe humanitarian and security crisis largely driven by violent gang activity, which has escalated to a state described as "at war" by President Laurent Saint-Cyr. The gangs have established a parallel system of governance, controlling vast areas including 90% of Port-au-Prince, and generating significant revenue through extortion and protection rackets, deeply impacting the country's economy and sovereignty. This violence has resulted in over 4,000 homicides in early 2025 and displaced more than 1.3 million people internally, with many suffering from acute hunger and deprivation. Recent attacks in the Artibonite department have exacerbated displacement with thousands forced from their homes, highlighting the persistent deterioration of security and urgent humanitarian needs such as food, water, and psychosocial support. International appeals for intervention have intensified as the Haitian government struggles to counter the gangs' influence and stabilize the situation. The crisis is complex, blending elements of criminal governance and state failure, making conventional responses inadequate.