UN Envoy says Haitian people’s resilience ‘gives us hope’

The United Nations Special Representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Carlos Ruiz Massieu, has praised the resilience of the Haitian people despite the ongoing political, humanitarian, and security crises gripping the country.

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“There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up,” Massieu told the UN Security Council on Wednesday during his first briefing since assuming the role. “Their fortitude gives us hope.”

Massieu, who has spent the past two and a half months meeting with political, international, and civil society stakeholders in Haiti, outlined the severe challenges facing the country — including escalating gang violence, mass displacement, and stalled efforts toward democratic transition.

He described the scale of internal displacement as “unprecedented,” with more than 1.4 million people forced from their homes as armed groups expand their control across Port-au-Prince and surrounding farming communities. The human rights situation, he said, remains “deeply concerning,” citing widespread abuses linked to gang attacks, violence involving self-defence groups, and even some security operations.

“I am concerned that a steady path towards the restoration of democratic governance has yet to emerge,” Massieu said, referring to the planned transfer of authority to elected officials by February 7, 2026.

He welcomed ongoing consultations between Haitian authorities and political representatives on organizing elections to prevent a political vacuum after that date, stressing that “sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial to forging renewed consensus on the way forward.”

Massieu said BINUH will continue to provide technical and logistical support ahead of the election and welcomed the Security Council’s backing for the Gang Suppression Force (GSF) — a multinational mission aimed at restoring security. He urged authorities to prioritize the protection of communities most affected by violence, particularly children.

Acknowledging that insecurity continues to affect international partners operating in Port-au-Prince, Massieu said he is working to achieve “100 percent staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency.”

“The recent action by this Council was a signal of reassurance to the Haitian people that they are not alone — that the international community stands with them during this critical moment,” he said. “Now is the time to swiftly translate this signal into real progress and turn the tide of violence.”