The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), with support from the Government of Japan, has launched a new initiative aimed at strengthening Haiti’s capacity to combat escalating violence, illicit trafficking, and organized crime.
Building on Security Council resolutions passed in 2023 and 2024, the program will assist Haitian authorities through three key actions: establishing and equipping new control units at the country’s borders to enhance interdiction of weapons, drugs, and other illicit goods; providing quarterly updates to the Security Council on trafficking and financial flows to guide both Haitian and international responses; and reinforcing maritime security by strengthening the Haitian Coast Guard with advanced training and specialized equipment for decision-making in high-risk operations.
According to the UNODC, these measures are designed to complement the ongoing efforts of the Haitian National Police, the General Administration of Customs, and international partners working to curb criminal networks.
The initiative comes as Haiti continues to grapple with a surge in gang violence, arms smuggling, and drug trafficking, all of which have deepened the country’s humanitarian and security crisis. By targeting border control, financial monitoring, and maritime operations, the UNODC and Japan hope to disrupt the flow of illegal weapons and narcotics that fuel instability and empower criminal groups.
