WASHINGTON, DC — THE United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) is raising fresh alarms about a worsening humanitarian crisis in Haiti, where escalating gang violence is choking off aid deliveries and leaving millions at risk of hunger.
Reports from Haiti indicate that fighting—particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince—is restricting humanitarian access and disrupting the flow of critical supplies. According to the WFP, the situation is forcing families deeper into hunger as funding shortages compel the agency to slash food rations and suspend vital programs.
"Funding shortfalls have forced WFP to suspend hot meals for newly displaced families and to slash food rations in half," UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq told reporters during a press briefing on Thursday. "And for the first time, the lack of resources has prevented WFP from prepositioning food stocks to respond to a natural disaster during the Atlantic hurricane season,”
Haq noted that many farmers are cut off from markets due to insecurity, straining the country’s food system and driving prices even higher.
Much of Haiti’s territory remains under the control of heavily armed gangs, whose influence has spread from the capital into surrounding regions. Regional leaders, including CARICOM, have been working to stabilize the situation, but efforts have faced stiff resistance from gang leaders such as Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier, who has become a dominant force in the country.
Kenya had previously deployed security forces to assist Haiti, though its troops have faced strong pushback from armed groups. In response to the worsening crisis, the UN Security Council recently approved the creation of a new “Gang Suppression Force” (GSF) to replace the Kenyan-led mission.
"Under an initial 12-month mandate, the GSF will work in close coordination with the Haitian National Police (HNP) and the Haitian armed forces to conduct intelligence-led operations to neutralise gangs, provide security for critical infrastructure, and support humanitarian access,” the UN said.
The GSF is expected to field 5,550 personnel tasked with protecting vulnerable groups, supporting the reintegration of former fighters, and helping to strengthen Haitian institutions.
Despite the challenges, the WFP says it has reached more than two million people with assistance since January. It continues to support longer-term food security initiatives, including providing daily school meals to 600,000 Haitian students. The agency has also launched targeted community infrastructure projects—even in gang-controlled areas—such as restoring irrigation systems to boost local food production.
Haiti remains the only country in the Americas, and one of just five globally, where people are facing catastrophic (IPC5) levels of hunger—equivalent to famine conditions, the United Nations said. Approximately 5.7 million Haitians are currently experiencing acute food insecurity, making it one of the most severe food crises in the world.
The WFP has appealed for $139 million in funding over the next 12 months to reach Haiti’s most vulnerable families.
