Haiti's Gang Violence Escalates with Over 5,600 Deaths in 2024, UN Reports

UN calls for urgent international support as violence displaces hundreds of thousands and undermines Haiti's stability.

The UN reported a 20% rise in killings in Haiti in 2024, with over 5,600 deaths, 2,200 injuries, and nearly 1,500 kidnappings attributed to gang violence.
A massacre in December, linked to a powerful gang leader in Port-au-Prince, resulted in at least 207 deaths, many of whom were elderly accused of Vodou-related acts.
Haitian police are accused of human rights abuses, including 281 alleged summary executions, while 315 suspected gang affiliates were lynched by civilians, sometimes with police involvement.
The UN-backed security mission, led by Kenya with support from other nations, has struggled to curb violence due to insufficient personnel and resources.
UN officials have condemned ongoing deportations to Haiti, citing acute insecurity, and called for stricter arms embargo enforcement to prevent weapons from reaching gangs.