UN warns of new displacement crisis in Haiti as violence forces more than 1,100 people to flee

The United Nations on Monday warned that escalating armed violence in Haiti's Artibonite department has triggered a fresh wave of displacement, placing additional strain on already vulnerable communities as humanitarian needs continue to grow across the country.

UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric told reporters at the organization's daily briefing that recent attacks have forced more than 1,100 people from their homes in the commune of Petite Rivière de Bayonnais.

Citing figures from the International Organization for Migration (IOM), Dujarric said the displacement followed violent incidents that occurred on May 26.

"Those who fled have sought refuge with host families within the city of Gonaïves, further straining threadbare resources available in these communities," Dujarric said.

He noted that many of the newly displaced people had already been uprooted by previous outbreaks of violence.

"As we can imagine, or just try to imagine, they need shelter, food and water, but they also need healthcare, they need psychosocial support and protection services, including for survivors of gender-based violence," Dujarric said.

"And we have told you repeatedly the horrific situation regarding that in Haiti."

He said humanitarian agencies continue to provide assistance despite difficult operating conditions, but warned that needs are increasing rapidly.

"While we and our humanitarian partners continue to respond under challenging conditions, the pace and the scale of needs are rising rapidly," Dujarric added.

Meanwhile, the REZILYANS AYITI consortium has launched a multi-sector emergency response program targeting more than 400,000 people affected by armed violence and displacement in Haiti's West, Central and Artibonite departments.

The consortium comprises five organizations — Plan International, the Centre for Rural Development and Community Action (CAPAC), Mercy Corps, the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), and Save the Children — and is funded through the Regional Humanitarian Fund for Latin America and the Caribbean.

According to humanitarian agencies, approximately 6.4 million Haitians, more than half of the country's population, currently require humanitarian assistance. The latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) report estimates that 5.8 million people are facing acute food insecurity.

The emergency project, which is scheduled to run through October 2026, aims to improve living conditions for vulnerable populations in 10 communities across the targeted regions.

The initiative will provide support to displaced families and host communities through cash assistance, food security programs, water and sanitation services, and nutrition interventions. It will also strengthen access to screening, prevention and treatment services for acute malnutrition in displacement camps and host communities.

In addition, the project includes child protection measures such as psychosocial support, case management and community outreach programs designed to identify vulnerable children and connect them with essential services, with particular focus on girls and other at-risk groups.

The latest displacement highlights the worsening humanitarian situation in Haiti, where armed groups continue to expand their influence, fueling insecurity, disrupting livelihoods and forcing thousands of people to repeatedly flee their homes.