Despite several positive political developments in Haiti, a worsening security situation — compounded by organized crime — has resulted in death, displacement and crisis in the country, senior United Nations officials told the Security Council today, urging international support to make progress on these intertwined fronts. Meanwhile, delegates discussed the country's request for a UN peacekeeping operation to replace the newly deployed Kenyan-led security mission.
In Haiti, over 1 million people are now internally displaced, three times more than a year ago, with displacement nearly doubling in the capital Port-au-Prince, the International Organization for Migration reports. In 2025, the UN and its partners will need $900 million to support 4 million people across the country.
The United Nations Children’s Fund today released a report warning that the world is facing a new, intensifying era of crisis for children, with those impacted by conflict nearly doubling to almost 19 per cent today from around 10 per cent in the 1990s.
In Ukraine, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that, according to authorities and partners, hostilities in the first week of January resulted in hundreds of casualties. Over the past three days, homes, gas facilities and electricity infrastructure have been damaged in front-line regions.
The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Linda Thomas-Greenfield (United States):
Ongoing conflict in Rakhine has driven an estimated 360,000 people out of their homes, bringing the total number of displaced there to nearly 570,000. This is part of a broader crisis unfolding across Myanmar, displacing more than 3.5 million people — an increase of 1.5 million people compared to a year ago.
In Lebanon, over 900,000 people have begun returning to their areas of origin since the cessation of hostilities was announced on 27 November, the International Organization for Migration reports. Nearly 179,000 people remain displaced. The UN and its partners continue supporting the response across the country.
The Security Council today received a briefing on its sanctions regime for Haiti and heard a call for stronger measures from the country’s representative, who reported a surge in homicides and a tripling of kidnappings this year amid arms embargo violations.
In Haiti, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reports that the activities of armed gangs in Port-au-Prince continue to disrupt people’s lives. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) says that between 6 and 8 December, more than 4,500 people have become newly displaced due to ongoing insecurity.
In Lebanon, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports that while the cessation of hostilities provides a much-needed respite, health needs remain overwhelming. Health services have been severely impacted, and widespread damage to water, sanitation and municipal infrastructure has heightened the risk of disease.
