The United Nations is raising fresh concerns over the deepening humanitarian emergency in Haiti, where escalating violence and a worsening cholera outbreak are compounding an already dire situation.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported Wednesday that conditions continue to deteriorate, particularly in Haiti’s Centre and Ouest departments, which include the capital, Port-au-Prince. Armed violence in these areas has led to mass displacement and increased vulnerability among already struggling communities.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that more than 30,000 people have been forcibly displaced in recent weeks, primarily from the communes of Saut d’Eau and Mirebalais in the Centre department.
“Most of the displaced have remained within the same region,” said Stéphane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General António Guterres, during a press briefing. “Our humanitarian partners are delivering critical support—including food, hygiene supplies, clean water, and psychosocial care—to those affected.”
On top of the security challenges, Haiti is also contending with a surge in cholera cases. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly 1,300 suspected cholera infections have been reported in the first three months of 2025. Of those, nine cases have been confirmed and 19 deaths have been recorded, pushing the fatality rate to 1.65 percent, which exceeds the 1 percent emergency threshold.
“Significant spikes in suspected cases have been noted in high-risk areas such as Cité Soleil and Arcahaie, including within displacement sites where sanitary conditions are especially fragile,” Dujarric said.
The Cholera Response Task Force, led by Haiti’s Ministry of Public Health and supported by humanitarian and international agencies, continues to conduct surveillance and deliver services such as case management, vaccination, lab testing, water and sanitation improvements, and infection control.
Despite these efforts, OCHA warns that the overall humanitarian response remains severely constrained due to ongoing violence, limited access to affected areas, and chronic underfunding.
The UN has repeatedly called for international support to boost humanitarian aid and stabilize conditions in Haiti, urging both donors and partners to act swiftly as the crisis deepens.
