Haiti

Haiti continues to face a severe humanitarian and protection crisis, driven by political uncertainty, extreme violence, and recurring natural hazards. In 2024, armed groups expanded their control beyond the capital Port-au-Prince, exploiting the erosion of state authority and worsening the breakdown of essential services. As of early 2025, 42 per cent of health care facilities in the capital are closed. Only 27 per cent of hospitals were fully operational nationwide, while 1,606 schools are currently closed, disrupting access to education for more than 243,000 children. Most closures are concentrated in the Ouest and Centre Departments, where insecurity, school occupation and displacement have intensified.

Horrific violence is used against women, children, and the elderly. Reports of gender-based violence remain rampant, with more than 6,500 cases reported last year, 64 per cent of which were rape or sexual assaults. Forced recruitment of children by armed groups has increased by 70 per cent between mid-2023 and mid-2024. Right now, up to half of all armed group members are children. Fear permeates daily life. Many people avoid seeking medical care, going to work, or sending their children to school due to the constant threat of stray bullets, kidnappings, or armed groups violence. In the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, 16 per cent of children are unable to attend school, with rates rising to 43 per cent in Cité Soleil a highly vulnerable commune in Port-au-Prince.

Meanwhile, a cholera epidemic continues to affect all 10 departments, with nearly 9,500 suspected cases recorded in 2024. 

Forced displacement has reached unprecedented levels. The number of internally displaced persons in Haiti tripled last year to over one million Haitians at the end of 2024, while large scale displacements are also observed in 2025. Deportations from the Dominican Republic have further strained humanitarian needs, with an estimated 350,000 Haitians expected to be forcibly returned this year.

In 2025, Haiti is expected to face one of its most severe humanitarian crises in decades. Escalating violence collapse of the basic services, climate shocks, and mass deportations is expected to worsen already dire conditions. Haiti is one of only four countries worldwide with people in famine like conditions, and they are desperate. New data as of April indicates a worsening food security situation. Agricultural disruptions and displacements have pushed 5.7 million Haitians – nearly half the population – in acute food insecurity. The number includes 2.1 million people in an “emergency” stage of the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) or Phase 4, where they are forced to sell assets to overcome extreme shortages of food and 8,400 in the “catastrophe” or “famine” stage of the IPC or Phase 5 – the most severe phase of hunger. At this stage, families suffer from extreme hunger and high levels of malnutrition, with some facing life-threatening health conditions. Many survive by selling their last belongings, eating less than 2,100 calories a day and relying on just a few food groups. As violence spreads outside of Port-au-Prince to the main agricultural center (Artibonite), hunger could further increase. Without urgent improvements in security, access, and resources, humanitarian needs are expected to continue to rise, trapping millions of Haitians in a deepening cycle of vulnerability and deprivation.

In 2025, humanitarian partners aim to assist 3.9 million of the 6 million people in need across Haiti. The response will prioritize the provision of protection services, particularly for women, girls, and boys exposed to escalating risks of gender-based violence, forced recruitment, and exploitation. Ensuring access to essential health care, emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene services, and cholera outbreak response will be a priority. Support for nutrition and food security is also critical to averting famine, while efforts will also aim to help displaced and vulnerable out-of-school children return to safe, protective learning environments. To meet these urgent needs, the humanitarian community is seeking US$908.2 million. Flexible and timely funding will be critical to allow humanitarian actors to scale-up responses swiftly as security and access conditions permit.