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: No clear sign of peace

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

• Despite UN Resolution 2699 and commitments from several nations, the multinational mission is slow to be deployed into Haiti.

• Garry Conille is severing as acting prime minister of Haiti since May 28, 2024. 

• Violence has spread beyond the capital. The number internally displaced by the violence has almost doubled in the last six months to over 700,000, while some 1.6 million people are estimated to be facing emergency food insecurity, the worst level before famine.

• The lack of financial support for the international mission has contributed to the delay in the deployment of up to 2,500 security personnel, and affected its ability to help the Haiti National Police combat armed gangs. 

• There are just over 400 foreign security staffers in Haiti including Kenyan and a small contingent of Jamaican soldiers. 

• September 29, 2024, U.S. drops UN peacekeeping mission for Haiti after they could not get support from China and Russia and pushing it into a formal United Nations peacekeeping operation, at least for now.