UN Secretary-General António Guterres visited Haiti on Tuesday as the country faces worsening gang violence that has displaced millions and left thousands dead or homeless.
According to new UN figures, around 2,300 people have been killed in Haiti so far this year, while another 100 have been kidnapped. The violence has forced about 1.5 million people from their homes. Among the latest kidnapping victims is James Boyard, chief of staff at the Defense Ministry, who was abducted last week in what was considered one of the safer areas of the capital.
Guterres arrived in Port-au-Prince for a one-day visit days after a violent weekend in the seaside slum of Cité Soleil, where more than 30 people were killed, injured or reported missing, according to a local human rights group.
His convoy passed through areas heavily damaged by years of gang violence, including abandoned homes, destroyed businesses and buildings scarred by gunfire. Graffiti on walls reflected public frustration, with messages supporting police and condemning the powerful gang coalition known as Viv Ansanm, which is believed to control about 70% of Port-au-Prince.
The UN chief also saw large numbers of displaced people living in makeshift shelters under tarpaulins and temporary structures.
More than 300,000 people have been displaced by gang violence in Port-au-Prince alone, the highest number ever recorded. The UN's migration agency said over 18,000 people fled Cité Soleil in May.
"Haiti's displacement crisis is entering an even more alarming phase," said Gregoire Goodstein, the International Organization for Migration's chief in Haiti.
During his visit, Guterres toured the headquarters of a newly formed international force that is expected to begin operations in the coming weeks. The force was approved by the UN Security Council and will replace the previous UN-backed mission led by Kenyan police, which struggled with limited funding and manpower.
Troops from Jamaica, Chad, El Salvador and Guatemala have joined the force, although total deployment remains below 1,000 personnel.
The international force is expected to work alongside Haiti's National Police and armed forces to combat gangs and restore security.
Guterres later held talks with Prime Minister Alix Didier-Fils-Aimé, who is under growing pressure to organize elections in the Caribbean nation of nearly 12 million people.
Haiti has been without a president since Jovenel Moïse was assassinated at his private residence in July 2021.
Following the meeting, Fils-Aimé said security remained the government's top priority to allow elections to take place and restore constitutional governance. He also called on countries supporting the international force to fulfill their commitments.
Guterres also visited a temporary shelter set up in a former school, where more than 1,200 displaced people are living in overcrowded conditions.
Many residents said they had fled gang attacks years ago and still could not safely return home. Women living at the shelter complained about the lack of privacy, poor sanitation and concerns for their children.
One resident described the cramped conditions, while others said only one meal a day was guaranteed.
"We're going to do our best," Guterres told a group of women during a private discussion.
Outside the shelter, some residents voiced frustration and demanded a safe return to their communities.
Wendy Cejour, who has lived at the shelter with his family for about 18 months, said conditions remained extremely difficult.
"As long as we're alive we have hope, but things are difficult," he said, calling for the chance to return home.
Ahead of the visit, Human Rights Watch urged the UN chief to focus on protecting civilians and addressing the root causes of violence and human rights abuses.
After meeting displaced families, Guterres said he was deeply moved by what he witnessed.
"What I saw will not leave me," he said. "Each day is a fight to survive. The women and the children pay the highest price."