UN Secretary-General António Guterres has expressed his support for Haiti’s newly sworn-in government, calling on the nation’s leaders to sustain momentum towards reestablishing democratic institutions through elections.

The newly appointed cabinet marks a complete overhaul of the previous administration led by former Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was ousted earlier this year due to intense pressure from criminal gangs controlling significant parts of Haiti.

Notably, the new cabinet features women in several key ministerial positions, signaling a shift towards greater gender inclusivity in the country’s leadership.

In a recent press briefing, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq described the formation of the new government as a “positive transitional governance milestone” and stressed the importance of achieving critical security improvements.

Haq emphasized the need for the rapid deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to assist the Haitian National Police in addressing the severe security issues plaguing the nation.

“The Secretary-General therefore reiterates his call for the swift deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to Haiti to support the Haitian National Police in addressing the dire security situation.”
Farhan Haq

Guterres also appealed to UN Member States to ensure that the MSS mission receives the necessary financial and logistical support to succeed in its objectives.

On the humanitarian front, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported ongoing efforts to aid those displaced by violence in Port-au-Prince.

Between June 8 and June 12, the World Food Programme (WFP) distributed over 40,000 hot meals to more than 9,000 displaced individuals in the city. Since the beginning of the year, the WFP has provided over 1.1 million hot meals to more than 120,000 displaced persons.

In addition, the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) distributed 900 dignity kits to women and girls last month and deployed eight mobile clinics offering sexual and reproductive health services, as well as support for those affected by gender-based violence.

The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) has also been providing psychosocial support through phone services and in camps housing displaced people.

Despite these efforts, the situation in the southern regions of Haiti remains dire, with reports indicating that over 268,000 individuals have been displaced — a 95 percent increase since March.

The health system is also facing critical challenges, crippled by ongoing violence and years of underfunding. Currently, only 20 percent of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are operating normally.

“This year’s Humanitarian Response Plan, which calls for $674 million, is just 23 percent funded at $156 million,” Haq noted.

If fully funded, the plan aims to reach 3.6 million of the most vulnerable among the 5.5 million Haitians in need of assistance. Key areas of focus include protection, healthcare, water and sanitation, and food security.

Haiti’s Gang Plague

The international community continues to monitor the unfolding situation in Haiti, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated support to stabilize the nation and address its humanitarian crisis.

Currently, the streets of downtown Port-au-Prince are completely deserted.

According to Jean-Marie Theodat, a Haitian writer and Caribbean geopolitics expert.

“But I don’t see how we can meet these challenges with our limited military and financial resources. There are roughly as many criminals as police officers, but the criminals are better armed.”
Jean-Marie Theodat

Moreover, part of the country’s police force is corrupt and has ties to the gangs. Jimmy Chérizier, the main gang leader known as “Barbecue,” is a former national police officer. “While half of the police are corrupt, the other half continues to perform patriotic work,” Theodat acknowledged.

To enhance security, an international coalition is being planned, with the United States providing logistical backing. Kenyan police officers are anticipated to arrive in Haiti shortly to help tackle the gang violence.