Haiti is facing an unprecedented crisis marked by escalating gang violence and severe instability. This violence and economic hardship have displaced over 100,000 families, forcing them to flee their homes and seek refuge in overcrowded and unsafe conditions.

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Despite these dire circumstances, faith remains a beacon of hope for many. The belief in God continues to provide comfort and support to the children and families in Haiti, offering solace and aid amidst the turmoil.

Key Events and Developments
2018-2019: The beginning of a new crisis

• Fuel Crisis Begins (March 2018): Venezuela halts oil exports to Haiti, triggering severe fuel shortages.

• Government Response and Protests: In summer 2018, Haiti ends fuel subsidies, causing prices to rise by up to 50%. This sparks ongoing protests and violent clashes with police into 2019.

• Lockdown and Humanitarian Impact: By summer 2019, Haiti experiences a two-and-a-half-month lockdown, severely restricting access for humanitarian organizations to vulnerable communities.

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2020-2022: New developments and uncertainties

• COVID-19 Impact and Political Crisis: Lockdowns exacerbate income loss, food insecurity, and civic unrest. Political instability deepens with President Moïse’s constitutional crisis and assassination in July 2021. Ariel Henry becomes prime minister and acting president.

• Major Earthquake Hits Haiti: Five weeks after Moïse’s assassination, a 7.2-magnitude earthquake strikes western Haiti, about 55 miles north of Les Cayes, marking the country’s largest natural disaster since 2010.

• Disaster Response Challenges: The combined effects of the political crisis and earthquake severely strain Haiti’s response and recovery efforts.

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2022-23: Gang war on the rise

• Major Clashes and Crisis: Gang violence surges with significant clashes in the Plain of the Cul-de-Sac region (April-May) and Port-au-Prince (July), leading to a severe humanitarian crisis.

• Conditions worsen with rising reports of violence. By July 27, the U.S. evacuates non-essential personnel, and by September, 80% of Port-au-Prince is under gang control.

• October, the UN approves Kenya's leadership of a multinational security support mission (Resolution 2699). The year sees 2,490 kidnappings and 4,789 homicides.

• In early 2023, the UN reports 1,554 deaths and 826 injuries due to escalating violence across Haiti.

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2024-2025: No clear sign of peace

• Ariel Henry resigns as president on March 11 amid pressure from Guy Philippe and his armed group.

• Multinational mission deployment in Haiti is delayed despite UN Resolution 2699 and international commitments.

• Garry Conille has been acting prime minister of Haiti since May 28, 2024.

• Violence has spread beyond the capital; over 700,000 people are now internally displaced, and 1.6 million face emergency food insecurity.

• Lack of funding has delayed the deployment of 2,500 security personnel and hindered support for Haiti's National Police.

• Over 400 foreign security personnel are currently in Haiti, including Kenyan and a small Jamaican contingent.

• On September 29, 2024, the U.S. drops the UN peacekeeping mission for Haiti due to lack of support from China and Russia.

• Dominican Republic starts mass deportations of Haitians and expels nearly 11,00 in a week.

• Kenya and Haiti urge partners to honor their commitment and support for U.N. peacekeeping mission due to a funding short fall.

• On, December 12th, Haiti has officially lifted its interdiction on the two airports in Port- au Prince. But the FAA's ban on U.S. commercial and cargo flights & U.S. Licensed carriers remain in place for Port au Prince's airspace. This is in response to gang shootings of three planes on Monday, November 11th. And it also comes amid a surge in violence as the country, struggling with gang unrest, swore in a new prime minister after a politically tumultuous process.

• UNICEF reported on Monday, November 15th, that gang recruitment of minors in Haiti is up by 70 percent since last year. And nearly 50% of gang members in Haiti are children.

• UN states on January 16th that more than 1 million displaced in Haiti as gang violence rages. The figures show that in the capital, Port-au-Prince, displacement has surged by 87 percent, driven by relentless gang violence, as well as the collapse of essential services - especially healthcare- and escalating food shortage.