Background
Haiti explained: why the crisis is deepening ¡ª and what comes next (21 January 2026)
Haiti is entering 2026 facing one of the most complex crises in its recent history. On Wednesday, the Caribbean island nation will be high on the international agenda as the UN Security Council holds its first meeting of the year to update ambassadors.
Armed gangs control large swathes of territory and violence has spread well beyond the capital Port-au-Prince, weakening the State¡¯s ability to govern and deliver basic services.
Presidential elections have not been held for a decade and humanitarian needs have reached unprecedented levels with millions struggling to meet their daily needs.
¡°Violence has intensified and expanded geographically, exacerbating food insecurity and instability, as transitional governance arrangements near expiry and overdue elections remain urgent,¡± according to the UN Secretary-General Ant¨®nio Guterres in his latest report on the UN¡¯s political mission in Haiti, BINUH.
Why Haiti matters
The crisis in Haiti is multifaceted. Gang control of urban zones and transport routes and increased activity in rural areas, are disrupting livelihoods and humanitarian access nationwide.
Extreme weather events, including hurricanes, floods and droughts as well as devastating earthquakes have worsened the humanitarian situation and complicated the ability of the country to recover and develop.
With more than one in ten Haitians having fled their homes due to violence, the country risks prolonged instability.
The displacement of people - including through migration ¨C could heighten pressures on neighbouring countries and undermine regional economic and security stability.
¡°Gang violence affects communities nationwide, with particularly devastating consequences for women, children and youth, undermining the country¡¯s social fabric over the long term.¡± Ant¨®nio Guterres.