Kominike laprès

Reaffirming the United Nations’ support for Haiti: Resilience and a Call for Commitment

22 avril 2025

Washington, 22 April 2025

The United Nations in Haiti, in partnership with the World Bank, hosted a special event to underscore the strength of the Haitian people amid the multidimensional crisis they face and call for urgent action. In the presence of the Haitian Minister of Economy and Finance, Mr. Alfred Fils Metellus, and the Minister of Planning and External Cooperation, Mrs. Ketleen Florestal, alongside diplomats, partners, civil society representatives, and members of the Haitian diaspora, the event emphasized the immediate and long-term needs of the country. Inspired by the Haitians right to stability, dignity, and a life free of fear, the event called for collective efforts to ensure Haiti remains a priority internationally.

This event highlighted the vital work of humanitarian and development actors amidst dire security challenges and a worsening humanitarian crisis. Efforts focus on vulnerable groups, especially in Port-au-Prince and the Artibonite region, where relentless gang violence has displaced hundreds of thousands, disproportionately impacting women and children. Across Haiti, over one million people are now displaced, a threefold increase in just a year. Nearly half the population, 5.7 million people, faces acute food insecurity, including over 8,000 in displacement sites enduring catastrophic hunger.

Held alongside the World Bank's Spring Meetings, the event reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to staying engaged on the ground. "UN humanitarian and development teams, in collaboration with international and national partners, are responding to Haiti's emergency by providing medical and mental health care, food, clean water, education, social protection, and jobs. But beyond immediate aid, we are addressing the root causes of instability, because what Haitians want and deserve is not just assistance, but dignity, stability, and peace", said Ulrika Richardson, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator of the UN system in Haiti.

Since the deterioration of the crisis, the UN has expanded its presence outside the capital Port-au-Prince, working closely with national partners to drive impactful change. Collective efforts focus on strengthening local agriculture and agrobusiness and value chains, job creation, rehabilitating critical infrastructure in education and healthcare. Additionally, environmental protection and resilient landscapes remain parallel priorities.

The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to support Haiti in its path towards stability, sustainable development, and peace. The UN calls on international partners to reinforce their constructive engagement with Haiti and the Haitian people.

Jefferson Belizaire

Associate Development Coordination Officer, Programme Communications and Advocacy

Jefferson.belizaire@un.org