HAITI DECLARES STATE OF EMERGENCY AMID ESCALATING GANG VIOLENCE AND HUMANITARIAN CRISIS

Haiti’s government has declared a three-month state of emergency in several regions as it grapples with escalating gang violence. The emergency measure will apply to the West, Centre, and Artibonite departments. Artibonite, known as the country’s rice basket, has seen a sharp rise in attacks by armed groups in recent months. In a statement, the government said the state of emergency will enable authorities to intensify efforts to combat insecurity and address the deepening agricultural and food crisis. “Insecurity has a negative impact not only on citizens’ lives but also on various sectors of the country,” the statement said.

Haiti has been plagued by years of violence, with powerful armed groups often linked to political and business elites, vying for control of territory and influence. The situation worsened significantly after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, which left a leadership void. According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), nearly 1.3 million people have been displaced nationwide. The United Nations reported that 4,864 people were killed between October 2024 and June 2025. Attempts to curb the violence, including the deployment of a UN-backed, Kenya led police force, have yet to restore order.

 While much attention has focused on the capital, Port-au-Prince, where armed groups control up to 90% of the city violence has increasingly spread to other areas. From October 2024 to June 2025, over 1,000 people were killed and 620 kidnapped in the Centre and Artibonite regions alone. In late April, dozens of residents were seen wading and swimming across the Artibonite River in a desperate effort to escape the violence.

 Meanwhile, the government has appointed Andre Jonas Vladimir Paraison as interim director of the Haitian National Police. He will be working alongside Kenyan officers as part of the international effort to restore security.