S/PV.9988 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Barbados, the Dominican Republic and Haiti to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the following briefers to participate in this meeting: Ms. Catherine Russell, Executive Director, United Nations Children’s Fund, and Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I would like to warmly welcome the Secretary-General, His Excellency Mr. António Guterres. I thank him for being with us today, and I now give him the floor.

I thank Panama for convening this briefing on the humanitarian and child protection situation in Haiti. (spoke in French) The Haitian people are caught in a spiral of suffering. State authority is crumbling as gang violence engulfs Port-au-Prince and spreads beyond, paralysing daily life and forcing families to flee. Civilians are under siege, with appalling reports of rape and sexual violence. Hospitals and schools are under repeated attack. The rule of law has collapsed. The humanitarian toll is staggering: 1.3 million people, half of them children, have been forced to flee their homes. Six million people are in need of humanitarian assistance. Haiti is now one of the five most critical hotspots in the world in terms of acute food insecurity. Humanitarian workers, especially local responders, are being targeted and subjected to threats of violence, extortion and abduction. Let me be clear: all parties must respect international humanitarian law. Humanitarian personnel, property and facilities must be protected. Despite the danger, humanitarian workers remain on the ground, delivering water, food, medicine and shelter. In the first quarter of this year alone, they assisted 1.3 million people. Unfortunately, Haiti remains shamefully neglected and cruelly underfunded. For 2025, we need $908 million to help 3.9 million people. But we have not even received 10 per cent of that amount, making the humanitarian appeal for Haiti the least funded in the world. As a result, more than 1.7 million people are at risk of receiving no assistance at all. This is not a funding gap; it is a matter of life and death. I urge all donors to act without delay, before life-saving operations grind to a halt. (spoke in English) Children are bearing the brunt of this crisis. In my annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247), Haiti ranked among the top five countries for grave violations against children in 2024. Children are being abducted and killed, recruited and used, and subjected to horrific sexual violence, including gang rape. These are crimes that scar bodies, minds and futures. Basic services have collapsed. Mass displacement has left children without education, healthcare or safety. As of April, gang violence had interrupted the schooling of 243,000 students. We verified 154 abductions, 154 attacks on schools and hospitals, and 728 incidents of denial of humanitarian access. The 2024 handover protocol between the United Nations and the Government of Haiti is an important step towards protecting children detained for alleged association with armed groups, but implementation remains uneven. The conditions at the Rehabilitation Centre for Minors in Conflict with the Law, known as CERMICOL, are deeply troubling. I am also alarmed by the rise of so-called community self-defence groups, some aligned with police forces, implicated in grave violations, including summary executions of children. I urge all authorities to implement the handover protocol nationwide; end the detention of children for alleged association with armed groups; ensure access to specialized services, including for survivors of sexual violence; and guarantee accountability for all perpetrators. I call on the Security Council to prioritize the protection of children. The political situation remains fragile, but there are emerging signals of hope. I am encouraged by growing cooperation between the President of the Transitional Presidential Council, Laurent Saint-Cyr, and the Prime Minister, Alix Didier Fils- Aimé, who are both leading consultations to move the political process forward. We are also seeing closer coordination between the Prime Minister’s task force, the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission improving operations on the ground. These fragile gains must be protected and expanded. That requires decisive and coordinated international security support to strengthen national efforts, protect the population and create the conditions for a return to the rule of law and credible, inclusive elections. I welcome efforts by members of the Council to advance my 24 February proposal to strengthen the Multinational Security Support Mission through United Nations logistical and operational support. I urge the Council to act without delay and to authorize an international force supported by the United Nations through logistical and operational backing and predictable financing. Voluntary contributions to the MSS trust fund remain essential, but assessed support would ensure impact and sustainability. Security measures must go hand in hand with increased pressure on those fuelling the violence. This includes an effective arms embargo and a targeted expansion of sanctions against gang leaders, financiers, arms traffickers and others connected to them. These steps are vital to cut off the weapons and money that sustain chaos. Enforcement at ports, borders and online must be strengthened, in close coordination with regional partners. My Special Representative, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, is in Port-au-Prince, working with national and international partners to build consensus at this pivotal moment. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti will continue to support an inclusive political process and work closely with the Haitian National Police, the MSS and donors to ensure coherent, coordinated assistance. I urge all national stakeholders to seize this moment and sustain this spirit of cooperation.

I thank the Secretary-General for his briefing. I now give the floor to Ms. Russell. Ms. Russell: I thank Ambassador Alfaro de Alba of Panama for convening this briefing and Ambassador Shea of the United States for calling for it, and I thank them for the opportunity to address the Security Council today on the dire crisis facing children in Haiti. I thank the Secretary-General very much for his deep and ongoing commitment to the protection of children affected by armed conflict, and I express heartfelt thanks to UNICEF National Ambassador Jean Jean Roosevelt for his passion, art and dedication to the protection of children from violence. Since I last briefed the Council on the situation in Haiti nearly a year ago (see S/PV.9757), the humanitarian crisis has only worsened, spreading beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, to other parts of the country. Haiti’s children continue to endure unimaginable suffering amid the brutal armed violence. Indeed, one of the defining features of this crisis is the rampant rights violations against children. As the Secretary-General said, in 2024, Haiti ranked among the five countries on the children and armed conflict agenda with the highest number of verified grave violations against children anywhere in the world. Last year, the United Nations in Haiti verified more than 2,000 grave violations against children. This marked a nearly 500 per cent increase over the previous year. The increased rate of violations has continued into 2025. In the first quarter of this year, there was a 25 per cent increase compared to the first quarter of 2024. Most alarming is the almost 700 per cent rise in cases of recruitment of children, alongside a 54 per cent increase in killing and maiming. Keep in mind that these are just the cases that we have been able to verify — we believe that the true figures are much higher. Children are being killed and maimed during violence between armed actors, particularly in densely populated areas of Port-au-Prince. We have also verified cases of children being summarily executed. The entry of new armed actors and more sophisticated technology, including explosive weapons, into the fighting is putting children’s safety at even greater risk. The recruitment and use of children by armed groups is rampant. We estimate that children currently account for a staggering 50 per cent of armed groups members active today. Children are being forced into combat roles, directly participating in armed confrontations. Others are being used as couriers, lookouts or porters to carry weapons or are being exploited for domestic labour  — roles that expose them to grave and lasting physical and psychological harm. As I saw when I visited Haiti, children are being subjected to appalling sexual violence that has reached unprecedented levels. In 2024, the number of reported cases of sexual violence against children rose by 1,000 per cent over the previous year. And as members will have seen in the Secretary-General’s annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247), the United Nations found that a quarter of all cases of verified sexual violence were gang rapes. This constitutes a widespread campaign to terrorize communities and inflict lasting physical and psychological trauma on children, especially girls, who account for most of the victims and survivors. In the face of this devastating situation for children, UNICEF and our partners are being denied access to provide the humanitarian response that is so desperately needed, which, I would add, is also a grave violation of children’s rights. In 2023, the United Nations verified five incidents of denial of humanitarian access, while last year, that number skyrocketed to 728. In denying access, armed groups are undermining the ability of humanitarian actors to reach the 1.6 million children and Despite these challenges and the insecurity, UNICEF and our partners remain on the ground working to deliver life-saving assistance for those in need. Together with our partners, so far this year, we have treated 21,000 children for severe wasting, provided healthcare to 117,000 people and reached 140,000 people with safe water. We continue our efforts to engage and negotiate with armed actors to prevent and end grave violations against children’s rights, and we are supporting the authorities to develop a child-sensitive and child-friendly system to respond when violations are reported. Since 2024, the Government of Haiti and UNICEF have demobilized and reintegrated more than 140 children through the framework of the Protocol on the Release and Handover of Children Associated with Armed Forces and Groups. Just last month, the Haitian Government, in partnership with UNICEF, officially launched the prevention and rehabilitation programme against children and youth recruitment. This three-year programme seeks to protect children from recruitment, exploitation and violence, while offering them reintegration solutions and support. But far more must be done to protect Haiti’s children from the scourge of violence that has taken hold of their communities. Today I ask the members of the Council to use all available leverage to protect children and to support concrete actions to prevent further violations. I ask them to demand that all armed groups end attacks on schools and hospitals, immediately release children from their ranks and allow secure, unimpeded humanitarian access for humanitarian workers to safely reach communities in need. I ask that they appeal to security forces on the ground to prioritize the safety and protection of all children and to ensure that they are treated as children first and foremost, taking every measure to avoid further killing and injuring children, including those who have been recruited. I ask that they support the Government of Haiti and its partners to prioritize children’s rights across public policies and through investment in social services. This includes education, healthcare, justice and social protection for children. This also includes reintegration for children currently or previously associated with armed groups and for children who have been subjected to sexual violence and other grave violations. Lastly, we call on donors to show solidarity with the Haitian people and to contribute to funding appeals. The humanitarian needs and response plan to address the needs of nearly 4 million people in Haiti is just 10 per cent funded. Without immediate donor support, our life-saving assistance and protection services for those most in need are at serious risk. Grave rights violations against children in Haiti or anywhere in the world cannot be tolerated. Every child deserves a chance to be safe and healthy and to live in peace. But peace can only be forged and sustained when children are prioritized and protected. UNICEF stands ready to work with the Council, with Haitian children and communities and with every partner dedicated to this cause. We must urgently respond with a shared commitment to finally deliver the promise of a peaceful, prosperous society for all of Haiti’s children.

I thank Ms. Russell for her briefing. I now give the floor to Mr. Roosevelt.

We gather once again today, with heavy hearts, to address a reality that shakes us profoundly: the suffering of children in Haiti. Haiti, this great nation, a symbol of courage and freedom, is enduring one of Armed violence is tearing Haiti apart like a broken guitar whose strings produce nothing but tears and cries. Armed groups, who have taken over entire neighbourhoods, have stolen from children the lightness of their steps. They now live in a symphony of fear; every alleyway turned into a dissonant note. And it is always these very children who pay the heaviest price. They are forcibly recruited, abused and used as cannon fodder, as though their youth no longer held any value. In 2024 alone, recruitment surged by 70 per cent. This persistent and worsening situation threatens the future of an entire generation. More than 680,000 children no longer have a home to grow up in. They sleep in overcrowded sites in which even the air seems heavy with sorrow. Many of them are exploited, humiliated and subjected to verbal, psychological, physical and often sexual violence. For example, rape, especially of girls, has risen by more than 1,000 per cent in 2024, compared to 2023. The most recent report of the Secretary-General on grave violations against children in Haiti (S/2025/247) confirms this tragedy. Abductions, killings, sexual violence and attacks on schools and hospitals are now counted by the hundreds. School, once a sanctuary, has become a minefield. Today, schools lie destroyed and classrooms are converted into shelters for displaced persons. This reality is a silent condemnation of an entire generation. Today, more than 1.5 million children are deprived of regular access to education; 3.3 million, two out of every three, depend on humanitarian aid; and 129,000 are at risk of dying of hunger this year. Behind these figures that we repeat aloud, over and over, there is a face, a name, a fragile dream. Perhaps that of a little girl who wanted to be a doctor or that of a boy who dreamed of playing the drum at carnival. Sadly, these dreams are now suspended, suffocated and under threat. I speak before the Council today as a musician and UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador. But above all, I speak to Council members as a Haitian. The child I once was always dreamed of contributing to a better world by carrying messages of love, peace and solidarity to people everywhere. At this precise moment, I am here before the Council, fulfilling that dream. I am convinced that, just like me, the children who Council members once were are also here in this Chamber today, realizing their dream of becoming diplomats, ambassadors, agronomists, doctors, teachers and so many more things. Let us also give that chance to our children: to grow, to dream, and, in turn, to one day become actors of change in the world. Let us restore to them their most fundamental right. Let us give them back the possibility to laugh, to run, to learn and to dream. Let us carry together their dignity, their hope and their future. Let us act so that Haiti may once again have schools, hospitals and safe spaces. Let us act so that children no longer live in fear, but in the promise of tomorrow. Let us act so that the future of Haiti is no longer compromised, but carried forward by the energy, the laughter and the dreams of its children. The children of Haiti have sounded the alarm, raising a cry of urgency. The time to come to their aid is not tomorrow, nor the day after. It is now.

I thank Mr. Roosevelt for his briefing. I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of Panama. We have convened this meeting to address a situation that demands our full attention: the humanitarian crisis in Haiti, and in particular, the tragic situation of its children. This is an issue that, unfortunately, has not received the necessary attention on the agenda of the Security Council, despite being one of the most serious crises in our hemisphere, where only silence has been heard. The same people who once inspired the entire region, including our own people, to free themselves from colonialism and slavery, today face unprecedented criminal violence. To speak of Haiti on this occasion is, first and foremost, to speak of its children, children who, despite their suffering, carry a burden on their shoulders that no childhood should have to bear. The most recent annual report of the Secretary- General on children in armed conflict (S/2025/247), documented an unprecedented increase in grave violations globally in 2024, situating Haiti among the places with the highest increases in violations against children in the entire report. There were 2,269 grave violations against 1,373 children: 351 children killed or maimed; 302 children recruited into gangs; and 566 victims of sexual violence, including 160 cases of gang rape, a 490 per cent increase compared to 2023, requiring access to essential services and justice for survivors. This is compounded by massive internal displacement. Approximately 1.3 million people have been displaced from their homes, more than 680,000 of whom are children. Families repeatedly flee and continue to risk their lives, many to spontaneous sites without basic services, compounding health, nutrition and protection risks, especially for girls and women. The emergency is also an educational, health and food emergency. Violence has struck hard at the heart of classrooms. In 2024, 284 schools were destroyed, and in January 2025 alone, another 47 schools were destroyed in Port- au-Prince. At the same time, fear and attacks have forced the closure of at least 959 schools, many of which have become makeshift shelters for families who have lost everything. The picture is devastating. As of 30 April this year, 1,606 schools remained closed in four departments of the country. As a result, more than 243,000 students have seen their right to education cut short, deprived not only of learning but also of hope of a different future. On the other hand, in a context of persistent hunger and shortages, the entire food supply chain is under threat. The Haitian people risks their lives to obtain the few products available; farmers in the Artibonite Department are afraid to cultivate their land; and truck drivers are forced to pay extortionate taxes to gangs in order to be able to transport food. In this difficult context, more than half of the Haitian population — some 5.7 million people — are enduring acute food insecurity, including more than 37,000 pregnant women. Among them, more than 1 million children are facing emergency levels, and at least 125,000 children under the age of 5 are at risk of severe acute malnutrition. Meanwhile, families are fighting to gain access to basic supplies — food, medical treatment and drinking water. Today Haiti is among the five countries most affected by food insecurity in the world. These The 2025 humanitarian response plan called for $908 million, and even after being hyper-prioritized to $751.6 million, by mid-August, barely 19.5 per cent of it had been funded — the lowest percentage in the world. This plan seeks to assist 3.9 million people but today is on the verge of paralysis. Closing this gap is not a technical or statistical matter; it is literally the difference between life and death for thousands of women, elderly people and children. Faced with this reality, which disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, Panama proposes a child-centred response in line with the resolutions of the Council. We call for all safety measures to incorporate child protection filters, referral protocols and unhindered access for United Nations monitoring teams. We call on all parties to fully respect the Safe Schools Declaration and the guidelines for preventing schools from military use and to urgently fund infrastructure rehabilitation, teacher protection and safe learning, prioritizing high-risk areas. In addition, we urgently call for preferential funding in vital areas, such as nutrition, including treatment for severe wasting and transfers to guarantee food. We must also attend to primary health needs with mobile clinics and immunization, water and sanitation with cholera control measures and child protection through safe spaces and psychosocial support. Each figure is a story that can still have a different ending — a recruited child who can return to school, a girl survivor of violence who can receive care and justice, a baby with severe acute malnutrition who can recover if therapeutic milk arrives in time, a displaced family who can live without fear. As the Haitian saying already quoted in the Council recalls, men anpil chay pa lou — many hands make light work. That is precisely the key. Panama draws inspiration from this popular adage to urge the international community to join more hands and close the gaps that the Haitian people are facing today. Panama will continue to work together with the Council, the Multinational Security Support Mission, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and the sister Republic of Haiti so that child protection is the measure of the success of our collective action. We owe the children of Haiti something more than just figures and speeches; we owe them results. I resume my functions as President of the Council. I shall now give the floor to those members of the Council who wish to make statements.

I thank Secretary-General António Guterres, Executive Director Catherine Russell and Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt for their briefings. The United States remains concerned about the escalating levels of violence in Haiti. The territorial expansion of the gangs threatens to undermine gains made by both the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support Mission. We continue to condemn the recruitment of children in armed gangs and the disproportionate impact of gang violence on children. In 2024, Haiti was reported as one of the countries with the most violations and abuses against children, with the large majority committed by the Viv Ansanm coalition, which, for the first time, was listed in the Secretary-General’s report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247). Owing to the violence, over 1.3 million people — half of them children — have been displaced. Children face constant risks of being killed or injured during gang attacks, police operations or acts of mob justice. Forced recruitment by gangs and recurring incidents of sexual violence rob children of the peaceful lives they deserve. Corruption and indiscriminate violence remain major issues. We have taken concrete steps to counter impunity for those supporting violence in Haiti with the United States Food insecurity also remains a pressing concern. Active humanitarian and life-saving assistance awards continuing in Haiti include United States-grown emergency food aid, nutrition support, logistics, shelter, clean water and medical services for crisis-affected Haitians. This sort of programming addresses critical needs, such as food, shelter, medical care for violence-affected children and survivors of sexual violence, cholera treatment and prevention, hygiene and malnutrition treatment for families and children. In June, the Organization of American States (OAS) General Assembly and the United States co-sponsored a resolution that was adopted unanimously to galvanize action for Haiti and complement efforts here at the United Nations. Moreover, the United States continues to work with the OAS as it proceeds with its road map for Haiti. This is an important step towards the regional leadership that we expect on such shared regional challenges. With respect to the Multinational Security Support Mission, the United States thanks Kenya for its dedication, leadership and support for over the past year. Kenya answered Haiti’s call at a critical moment, demonstrating an enormous compassion and courage, putting its people in harm’s way thousands of miles from home and preventing a complete collapse of the Haitian State. Without the presence of the Mission, the gangs would have been even more emboldened in their ambitions and brazen atrocities against civilians in Haiti. We would also like to thank The Bahamas, El Salvador, Belize, Guatemala and Jamaica for contributing personnel towards this effort and Canada for its sizable contribution to the United Nations trust fund and the planning efforts. As we look to combat the threat of terrorist gangs looking to topple the State, we must ensure an even greater share of the international community is invested in the fight. To address this, today, the United States and Panama are sharing a draft resolution with the Council to help address the growing violence by establishing a gang suppression force and creating a United Nations support office to provide logistical support to efforts on the ground. We urge Council members to join us in responding to the call from the Haitian Government, as we forge a new path towards peace and security and establish the United Nations support office to properly, and sustainably, resource this effort. This will ensure the mission has the tools at its disposal to take the fight to the gangs and ensure that the Haitian State can meet the foundational needs of its people. We note the next international force must be resourced to hold territory, secure infrastructure and complement the Haitian National Police. In parallel, a comprehensive approach is required to disrupt gang financing, arms trafficking and other illicit flows fuelling instability. To make meaningful progress on this collective challenge, we need international stakeholders and donors to come to the table and join the United States, Panama and others who have demonstrated their commitment to Haiti’s security, in meaningful burden-sharing to help promote stability in Haiti. We stand with the Haitian people as they seek a secure, stable future for their country. We remain committed to working with the international community to drive progress forward in Haiti and call on all Council members to take concrete action in support of this effort. I welcome the participation of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados in our meeting. I will make three points. First, the United Kingdom remains deeply concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Haiti. As we have heard today, this crisis is driven by gang violence and instability that devastates communities and undermines efforts to restore democratic governance. We are particularly concerned by the impacts on children, who are among the most vulnerable victims of this crisis. One in eight children in Haiti have been displaced. Armed gangs are systematically recruiting minors, fuelling a surge in exploitation, sexual violence and abuse. These atrocities spread fear and inflict lasting trauma on Haiti’s young people. The United Kingdom remains firmly committed to supporting efforts to tackle insecurity in Haiti, and we unequivocally condemn the use of sexual and gender-based violence as a tool of control and terror. Secondly, we commend Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission and we express our strong support for the vital work of international partners, including the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, in helping the Haitian authority deliver change for the Haitian people. As part of this commitment, the United Kingdom has provided $6.7 million to fund the work of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights with the Multinational Security Support Mission to help ensure compliance with international standards on human rights, conduct and discipline. In parallel, we continue to take action against those responsible for human rights violations, including through the implementation of targeted sanctions. Thirdly, re-establishing security is essential to Haiti’s long-term stability and to alleviating suffering. In this context, we welcome the Secretary-General’s recommendations for enhanced security assistance for Haiti (see S/2025/122). We stand ready to work with the United States, Panama and all Council members to mobilize that support to the Haitian people and to help Haiti’s children enjoy a future free from violence, fear and hunger.

I thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. We thank the Secretary-General for his comprehensive briefing, which provided a clear and authoritative account of the situation in Haiti. I also thank Catherine Russell for UNICEF’s sobering assessment. We also appreciate the testimony by Mr. Roosevelt. Pakistan also welcomes the participation of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados in this meeting. Haiti confronts a crisis of extraordinary complexity: governance collapse, rampant criminal networks and a deepening humanitarian emergency. Addressing this requires urgent, coordinated international support, alongside a Haitian-led and -owned process to restore security, advance the political process, rebuild institutions and expand humanitarian relief. Three points deserve emphasis. First, the humanitarian situation is dire. More than 1.3 million people have been displaced and nearly half the population — 6 million people — need urgent aid. Children are the most affected. As the Secretary-General said, children are bearing the brunt of this crisis. Millions lack healthcare, clean water and schooling; 2.85 million face acute food insecurity, with 1 million at emergency levels. Safe, unhindered humanitarian access is critical to prevent further loss of life and social Secondly, humanitarian relief must be matched by political progress. Haiti’s leadership must rise to the occasion, demonstrate unity and put the national interest first. The Transitional Presidential Council carries a vital responsibility to steer the country through this crisis. Lasting peace must be Haitian-led and supported by sustained international backing. The emerging signals of hope, reported by the Secretary-General, are encouraging. We concur that the fragile gains must be protected and expanded. Thirdly, stabilization requires strong State institutions  — police, the justice system and governance structures. Armed gangs must be dismantled, children must be protected from recruitment, and, in all aspects, the rule of law must be restored. The Multinational Security Support Mission, composed primarily of Kenyan personnel and other contributors who are diligently fulfilling their mandate in extremely challenging circumstances, deserves robust Council backing. The continued role of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti remains indispensable in reinforcing security, governance and political stability. We also welcome the interest and proactive engagement by countries in the region to support Haiti in tackling the challenges that it confronts. The Haitian people deserve to live in peace and dignity, free from fear, free from want. They cannot be left to violence and despair. This is a test of the international community’s resolve. Collective, timely and bold action is indispensable. Pakistan stands in solidarity with the Haitian people. We have supported the Secretary-General’s recommendations, submitted in February this year (see S/2025/122), and we are ready to work with all Council members, including our United States and Panamanian colleagues, to help deliver security, stability and hope to Haiti.

I would like to thank Panama for convening and the United States for calling for this meeting at such a critical juncture, as gang violence continues to ravage Haiti and the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission approaches its expiration next month. The presence of the Secretary-General underscores the gravity of the situation and the urgency for decisive Security Council action. I wish to thank His Excellency Mr. Guterres for his comprehensive briefing, as Greece fully subscribes to his call for immediate action. I would also like to thank the Executive Director of UNICEF, Ms. Catherine Russell, and Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt for highlighting the horrific acts of violence and unthinkable cruelty against children. We welcome the presence of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados. In view of the aforementioned, I would like to make the following three points. First, Greece remains deeply concerned about the deteriorating security situation, with gangs extending their territorial control in the Centre and Artibonite departments. The Multinational Security Support Mission has delivered positive results in combating gang violence in the capital thanks to the steadfast leadership of Kenya and the valuable commitment of all contributing nations. However, the Mission continues to face critical logistical and financial shortfalls. As we have consistently underlined, providing further United Nations logistical and operational support, in line with the Secretary-General’s recommendations, is an essential step towards stabilizing Haiti. In this regard, we welcome the announcement by the penholders that they will put forward a draft resolution on the way forward, and we take positive note of the letter sent by the Haitian authorities yesterday announcing the intention of certain Member States to establish a standing group of partners (S/2025/537, annex). At the same time, efforts to curb criminal activity, including illicit arms and Secondly, as we heard today from the Executive Director of UNICEF and as also highlighted in the Secretary-General’s latest report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247), violence against children in Haiti has reached unprecedented levels. We call for an immediate end to all grave violations against children, notably their recruitment and use by gangs. Safeguarding their access to safety, healthcare, essential services and education must remain a top priority. We commend UNICEF’s life-saving efforts, and we welcome the launch of the prevention and rehabilitation programme against children and youth recruitment — a valuable partnership between UNICEF, the Haitian Government and the European Union. Thirdly, women are also bearing the brunt of this crisis. Gender-based and sexual violence, including systematic rape and collective rape, is being used as a tool of terror and subjugation. According to the Secretary-General’s most recent report on conflict-related sexual violence (S/2025/389), released just last week, Haiti ranks among the five most affected contexts globally in 2024, with many incidents occurring in informal displacement sites. This is particularly alarming given that 1.3 million Haitians are internally displaced, and half of the population faces acute food insecurity — conditions that heighten women’s vulnerability to sexual violence and harmful coping mechanisms. Greece strongly supports efforts to restore security and improve the dire humanitarian conditions in Haiti, paving the way for a peaceful and sustainable political transition. We stand ready to work closely with all Council members in this direction.

I would first like to thank the Secretary-General for being here this morning in the Security Council and for his commitment to fostering a return to security and stability in Haiti. I also thank UNICEF Executive Director, Ms. Catherine Russell, for her briefing on the worrisome situation of children in the country and Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt for his briefing. I welcome the presence here today of the Chargé d’affaires of Haiti. Restoring security in Haiti remains our priority. As we just heard, the situation on the ground is alarming. The Haitian people, in particular women and children, continue to suffer gang violence, which is spreading beyond the Port-au-Prince area. The situation in Haiti now appears in the list of shame of the Secretary- General’s annual report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247). Half of the population — some 6 million people — is in need of humanitarian assistance. More than 1 million people are internally displaced in Haiti, more than half of whom are children. The deteriorating security situation is preventing the delivery of aid and depriving Haitians of access to basic services. France is fully committed — with more than €25 million in emergency humanitarian aid since last year — to combating food insecurity and providing assistance to displaced populations. Re-establishing democratic institutions and the rule of law in Haiti is essential to bringing an end to the violations of human rights and international law. To achieve this, the political transition must move forward, which means restoring security conditions conducive to holding elections. To that end, the Security Council must continue to use all the tools at its disposal, including sanctions. They are a key tool in the fight against the gangs and the transnational organized crime networks that feed them. They are an essential lever for supporting the work of the Haitian National Police and the Haitian justice system. France supported adding the gangs Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif to the Council’s sanctions list. The extension of sanctions to include individuals supporting Increased international support for security in Haiti is essential. France has provided support, including financial support to the tune of $10 million, to the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. France once again welcomes the key commitment of Kenya and the other troop-contributing countries alongside Haiti. Despite the results achieved, the Mission must be better equipped and given more troops to curb the gangs’ expansion and recover the territories under their control. A United Nations office must be established to provide logistical and operational support to a mission with a robust mandate, which could be placed under Chapter VII. The Secretary-General made operational recommendations in February. France stands ready to work with all members of the Council to follow up on those recommendations and respond to Haiti’s call for international solidarity.

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the three African members of the Security Council, namely Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my own country, Guyana (A3+). The A3+ thanks the presidency for convening today’s briefing on the humanitarian situation in Haiti and welcomes the participation of the representatives of Haiti, Barbados and the Dominican Republic in the meeting. We are grateful to Secretary- General António Guterres and Ms. Catherine Russell for their briefings and have taken careful note of the contribution of Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt and thank him for his important work in Haiti. Today’s meeting lays bare, in the starkest of terms, the reality confronting Haiti. Expanding gang violence, marked by mass killings, abductions and sexual and gender-based violence, has claimed countless lives, displaced more than 1.3 million people, collapsed essential services and deepened severe food insecurity. The gravity of the crisis is particularly reflected in its impact on children. The Secretary-General’s most recent report on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247) recorded a 490 per cent increase in grave violations in 2024 alone, with more than 2,000 violations verified, placing Haiti among the five countries most affected worldwide. We bear in mind that these figures do not reflect the full scale of violations against children. Women and girls face heightened risks with pervasive incidents of gang rape, cruel, inhumane and degrading treatment. Meanwhile, the humanitarian response is faltering. The humanitarian response plan is only 10 per cent funded. Gangs continue to impose access impediments by expanding their territorial control, while insecurity further constrains humanitarian operations. The situation is also compounded by the rising deportations of Haitian nationals, which place additional strain on already scarce resources. The A3+ acknowledges the ongoing efforts of the Haitian authorities, supported by bilateral, regional and international partners, to strengthen institutions and improve the national response capacity. We especially welcome the launch of the prevention and rehabilitation programme against children and youth recruitment, under the framework of the protocol for the handover of children associated with armed gangs. We urge the Haitian Government to continue working closely with UNICEF and partners to protect children from recruitment, exploitation and abuse, as well as to ensure justice and accountability for the perpetrators of these heinous crimes. We further demand an end to all violations against children and their release from within the ranks of armed gangs. First, the crisis in Haiti is multidimensional, and so too must be our collective response. The A3+ underscores the urgency of coordinated international action across the political, humanitarian, security and economic tracks, each of which is inextricably linked and must be addressed in tandem. For any solution to endure, it must be comprehensive, tackling both security and socioeconomic challenges, while remaining firmly Haitian-led, Haitian-owned and Haitian-focused. This must also inform a comprehensive disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process for children, who should be treated primarily as victims. This is necessary to prevent an entire generation of boys and girls from being lost and to break recurring cycles of violence against children. Secondly, the security situation is urgent. Addressing it is fundamental to unlocking progress in all other areas. Without stabilization, humanitarian goods and personnel cannot reach those most in need. In this regard, discussions on safety and security must also address challenges to the safety of humanitarian personnel and the continuity of aid operations. Addressing security risks without accounting for operational safety, or vice versa, creates gaps and leaves both personnel and affected populations vulnerable. We, therefore, encourage the Haitian authorities to take the lead, working in close partnership with United Nations agencies and other humanitarian actors to implement integrated security approaches that ensure the safety of all humanitarian staff, including local volunteers who are often the most exposed, and to guarantee safe passage for evacuations where necessary. Thirdly, we wish to underscore the need to restore the rule of law and judicial institutions, which are indispensable for long-term peace. In this regard, we support ongoing efforts to combat corruption, impunity and the collapse of justice systems. We reaffirm the need to build resilience and safeguard the future of Haiti’s children. To achieve this, it is essential to address the root causes of the crisis, strengthen good governance, the rule of law and accountability; ensure access to public services, especially education and healthcare, including physical and psychological care; foster economic development; and ensure social inclusion for sustainable peace. We welcome the ongoing contributions of the Security Council, the Peacebuilding Commission, the Economic and Social Council and, regionally, the Caribbean Community and the Organization of American States, in support of Haitian-led efforts. We reiterate our call for stronger collaboration between the United Nations and all partners, convinced that, through sustained collective effort, a lasting solution to Haiti’s multidimensional crisis can and will be achieved. As the Security Council deliberates on the way forward in implementing the recommendations of the Secretary-General issued in February this year (see S/2025/122), and as we collectively consider avenues to further broaden support for the Multinational Security Support Mission, we wish to underscore the continued importance of sustained assistance to the Haitian security forces. In this regard, we stress the need to prioritize capacity-building efforts, including specific provisions for dedicated child protection resources, and to reinforce the institutional effectiveness of national agencies entrusted with the implementation of Security Council resolutions and the administration of related sanctions measures. Lastly, the A3+ reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with the people of Haiti and reiterates its call to the international community not to become desensitized to decades of overwhelming adversity. At this critical moment, we cannot and must not turn away. Instead, we call for urgent action to address human fragility and vulnerability, in keeping with the principles upon which our international law

Let me also thank the Secretary-General and Executive Director Russell for their briefings. Time and again, they have sounded the alarm and drawn the world’s attention to the dire situation in Haiti. Denmark commends their leadership. I thank Jean Jean Roosevelt for his passionate call for action for the children of Haiti. I welcome the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados to the meeting. Today’s briefings leave no room for doubt: Haiti is a country consumed by crisis. Its people, in particular its children, endure daily insecurity, deprivation and despair. Allow me to focus on three key areas. First, the humanitarian situation remains dire and requires urgent, collective action. Insecurity has spread beyond the capital and across the country. As we heard, 1.3 million people, more than half of whom are children, have been forcibly displaced. Women and girls face widespread patterns of conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence at the hands of gangs as a way to control and instil fear into communities. Hunger plagues more than half of the population, with 2 million people in emergency-level food insecurity and thousands in famine-like conditions. Denmark commends the heroic efforts of the United Nations and humanitarian partners on the ground. Even in the most difficult circumstances, they continue to deliver. But their resources are strained, their environment is increasingly dangerous, and needs continue to grow. We call on the international community to urgently scale-up funding for Haiti’s humanitarian response plan, currently funded at approximately 10 per cent. Humanitarian workers must be granted access to those in need and protected, in line with the principles of civilian protection and humanitarian law. Secondly, as Executive Director Russell clearly outlined, the toll of this crisis has had a disproportionate impact on Haiti’s children. Three million children, the highest number on record, require humanitarian support, with many suffering severe malnutrition. Every day, children bear the brunt of insecurity. The most recent report of the Secretary-General on children and armed conflict (S/2025/247) is particularly alarming, and as we heard again from Executive Director Russell, there was a staggering increase of almost 500 per cent in grave violations against children just from 2023 to 2024. Children associated with armed gangs must always be treated as victims. We call on the authorities to facilitate the safe exit of children from gangs and their reintegration into the community and to implement the handover protocol of January 2024. More must also be done to investigate these crimes and end impunity. Accountability must be ensured. Thirdly, tackling this multifaceted crisis requires a concerted and coordinated response. The international community, including the Security Council, can and must do more. Denmark strongly supports the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission and commends Kenya’s leadership role and that of other contributing countries. However, the MSS does not have the capacity to meet the scale of the threat and the complexity on the ground. We believe there must be greater United Nations involvement. It is beyond time for the Council to urgently consider the recommendations put forward in Secretary-General’s letter (S/2025/122) to better support the MSS in fulfilling its mandate. And we welcome efforts to this end, as presented today and led by Panama and the United States. Greater use and implementation of United Nations sanctions is also critical to combating the criminal activity destabilizing Haiti. We welcome the Council’s recent additions to the Haiti sanctions lists. More individuals could be added, particularly In closing, a sustainable and lasting peace must be Haitian-led and Haitian- owned. With six months left in the road map to restore Haiti’s democratic institutions, we strongly urge the Transitional Presidential Council, the Prime Minister and key stakeholders to accelerate their work and prioritize establishing security. The international community must stand with Haiti now to support stability, prosperity and a life of dignity, which the people of Haiti deserve.

We are grateful to Mr. António Guterres and UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell for their briefings. We have closely listened to the representative of civil society. Regrettably, the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, as clearly illustrated by the facts presented today by the Secretary-General and by Mr. Roosevelt’s statement. The multilevel crisis in the country is being exacerbated by the fact that there is simply no legitimate State authority in the country, and the transitional mechanisms have still not garnered the requisite support from Haitian society. Against this backdrop, unfortunately, the conditions for either a constitutional referendum or national elections, which were originally planned for early next year, have not been established. This situation has prompted increased instability on the ground. Under such circumstances, it is the vilest elements of society, criminal gangs of all types, that come to the fore. In Haiti this problem is particularly acute. The situation is disastrous. In the region surrounding the capital, there is virtually no State presence, and yet parallel governance structures, rooted in arbitrary action, extortion and intimidation, are flourishing there. In recent months, their influence has only grown. The last impediment that criminals face is the Haitian National Police, but there are many questions regarding the police’s actions stemming from alarming statistics on civilian casualties. The National Police are regularly accused of disproportionate use of force. We remain convinced that the primary responsibility for the fate of the Haitian people lies, undoubtedly, first and foremost with the national authorities. But that does not mean that the international community should remain on the sidelines. What is urgently needed is international support for Haitians, especially in the area of security. Unfortunately, the most valuable support mechanism for Haiti — the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti, the extension of whose mandate will be discussed by Security Council members next month — continues to face a whole host of predictable difficulties owing to the fact that, from the very outset, the provisions with regard to the Mission’s finances, personnel and equipment were insufficiently clarified. We warned about all of this from the beginning, but our warnings fell on deaf ears. As rightly pointed out in earlier proposals of the Secretary-General on strengthening the Mission’s capabilities, its success hinges primarily on sustainable and predictable funding. The reason is very simple: the donor countries that initiated the establishment of the MSS, portraying it as a universal means of stabilizing the situation in the country, are shirking the commitments they made. This is disingenuous on the part of the Security Council members, especially vis-à-vis Kenya, which has shouldered the lion’s share of the problems associated with the deployment and the operation of the MSS. We stand convinced that, with proper supplies and a larger contingent, those forces can and will be able to play a stabilizing role. In this regard, we are encouraged by the positive signals coming from countries in the region, which have expressed their willingness to provide additional assistance In parallel with addressing security issues on the island, what is also needed is greater oversight over the sanctions imposed by the Security Council. First and foremost, this concerns the arms embargo, which exists solely on paper, and which is not complied with by the countries that remain the key suppliers of military products flowing to the island. Unless this simple but highly effective measure is implemented, there can be no talk of improving the security situation in the country nor of successfully combating gangs. During the Council’s discussions on Haiti, we tend to prioritize the security situation and the political process. However, we must not forget that the chaos reigning in the country also affects the most vulnerable segments of society, especially children. They are the future of the young Haitian nation, and they are being subjected to torture and killing, abductions and horrific sexual violence, including against the youngest children. Moreover, what is also having an impact on their fates are regular attacks on schools and hospitals and the denial of humanitarian access. The darkest element of life in Haiti is the rampant practice by gangs of recruiting children and actively involving them in illegal activities. Today, minors make up 50 per cent of the armed groups that are active in the country. Moreover, most of the recruited children are used to directly participate in hostilities. What future awaits them under such conditions? Owing to the ongoing violence, children are losing out on opportunities to get education and medical care. According to the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, more than 1,600 schools in the country are closed, leaving 240,000 children deprived of access to education. Previously, this problem mainly affected the capital, but now, because of increased gang activity, attacks are being carried out on educational institutions throughout the country. School buildings are also being used to house internally displaced persons. Given the shortage of material resources, the country’s authorities must choose whether to provide people with shelter or give their kids an education. Meanwhile, gangs have no scruples about using schools and hospitals as human shields, which only exacerbates the problem. We stand convinced that the Haitian authorities should play a leading role in alleviating the plight of children. We note that they are determined to ensure the protection of children and are prioritizing this issue in the work of the Haitian National Police. We support their consistent efforts to demobilize and reintegrate minors. We believe that self-defence groups should also be involved in these efforts. In turn, international organizations and the global community should support such measures in every possible way. We note that many Haitians remain dependent on international humanitarian assistance. We highly appreciate the work of the United Nations humanitarian wing in Haiti. Its staff remain on the ground and continue to help Haitians despite the huge risks to their own safety. In this endeavour, they are assisted by the Haitian police and the Multinational Security Support Mission. However, many children are simply unable to access this assistance. As of April, one in four children in Haiti lived in areas with limited access to life-saving assistance. Over the past few months, little has changed. At the same time, we should bear in mind that humanitarian workers are severely limited in what they can do owing to the security vacuum that persists in Haiti.

Let me begin by thanking Panama and the United States for requesting this timely briefing in view of the continuing deterioration of the security, humanitarian and human rights situation in Haiti. Of course, I also wish to thank the Secretary-General for his remarks, Executive Director Russell for her briefing and Mr. Roosevelt for highlighting the risks that children are facing in Haiti on a daily basis. I welcome the representatives of the Dominican Republic, Barbados and Haiti to the meeting. At the outset, let me express our deep concern about the escalating spread of gang violence beyond the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince. The growing presence and activities of armed gangs in Haiti’s key rice basket region are fuelling famine-like conditions and driving record-high displacement, further exacerbating an already dire humanitarian crisis. We reiterate our call on all actors to allow and facilitate full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to these and all other areas and to ensure respect for and the protection of humanitarian personnel. Furthermore, reducing the territorial control of armed gangs in urban hubs, agricultural areas and along vital transport routes must be an immediate priority to enable and safeguard food production and its unimpeded transport and delivery. We are deeply alarmed that, amid widespread human rights abuses, children continue to bear the heaviest burden of the insecurity. Many of them, without the possibility of an education, are exposed daily to the killing, maiming, abduction, recruitment by gangs and, particularly for young girls, recurring incidents of sexual and gender-based violence, including gang rape. We urge all actors to uphold their obligations under international law, treat every civilian with dignity and end and prevent grave violations and abuses against children. At the same time, the national authorities, with support from the international community, must prioritize and integrate the safety and protection of all children, including those formerly or currently recruited and used by armed gangs. In this regard, we welcome the Government’s signing of the 2024 handover protocol, which rightly recognizes children associated with armed gangs primarily as victims, and we call for the continued full implementation of its provisions. To alleviate the suffering of the most vulnerable, particularly children, Slovenia calls on the international community to contribute urgently to the critically underfunded humanitarian needs and response plan, which is the lowest funded response plan in the world. Ultimately, however, restoring security across the country must be our central focus, as it the key to Haiti’s economic recovery and democratic stability and what its resilient population is longing for. In recent weeks, the Security Council has demonstrated unity and taken important steps by adding Viv Ansanm and Gran Grif to the sanctions list — gangs responsible, among other things, for committing grave violations affecting children. Yet the Council must do more. The time has come for us to once again demonstrate unity, heed the numerous calls and establish a United Nations support office to help Haiti to break free from the spiral of deadly violence.

I would also like to begin by thanking Secretary-General Guterres and UNICEF Executive Director Russell for their comprehensive and insightful briefings. My appreciation also goes to Mr. Roosevelt for his sobering testimony. I also welcome the presence of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados. Against this backdrop, I would like to highlight three points. First, the Security Council must swiftly determine the next steps in addressing this crisis. Security remains the indispensable foundation for all progress. We must make full use of the limited time before us to accelerate discussions on the Secretary-General’s recommendations and reflect them as concretely as possible in the upcoming draft resolution on the renewal of the Multinational Security Support Mission mandate. Only then can we provide the people of Haiti with the clarity and support that they urgently need. Secondly, we must keep the humanitarian emergency at the centre of our attention, with a particular focus on the children of Haiti, who represent the country’s future. Support for education, healthcare and food security is not only essential to alleviating the immediate crisis but also to laying the groundwork for Haiti’s long-term stability and sustainable development. To this end, we reiterate our call on gangs and armed groups to cease all violations against children and allow unimpeded humanitarian access to the most vulnerable. Thirdly, integrated support from the international community is indispensable. In this regard, we welcome the recent road map put forward by the Organization of American States. We hope that this initiative will serve as a catalyst to mobilize broader regional and international contributions, and we encourage close coordination between the United Nations and regional partners and organizations in advancing these efforts. We know that the most vulnerable are bearing the brunt of this crisis. The statistics on children in Haiti are not just numbers; they represent real people. To save the children of Haiti, and thereby Haiti’s future, we must act with urgency. The people of Haiti have placed their trust in the Council, and we cannot afford to fail them. The Republic of Korea remains ready to work with the Council and the international community to address Haiti’s multidimensional crisis and help to return the country to the path of peace and sustainable development.

I thank Secretary-General António Guterres and Executive Director Catherine Russell for their briefings. I also listened carefully to the statement made by the civil society representative. I welcome the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados to today’s meeting. With multiple crises compounding each other, the Haitian security situation continues to worsen. Its economic development is at a standstill, and the people are suffering deeply. A large number of people do not have enough food. They are displaced and even forced to join gangs. A vast majority of these people are children, the youngest of whom are as young as 8 years old. As major donors have drastically reduced their foreign aid, Haiti’s humanitarian programme this year has only been 9 per cent funded, exacerbating its humanitarian crisis. China deeply sympathizes with the Haitian people, especially the children, and is deeply concerned about Haiti’s prospects. We call on the Haitian authorities, countries in the region and the international community to make joint efforts to help Haiti overcome its predicament as soon as possible. First, responsibility must be taken to promote the political process. The root cause for the chaos in Haiti lies in the absence of a legitimate Government and orderly national governance. Although the Haitian transitional authorities have only six months left in their terms of office, they should still work actively and effectively Secondly, the efforts of all parties must be coordinated to improve the security situation. We call on the Haitian authorities to increase security inputs, rationalize resource allocation and promote synergy in the international community’s security assistance to Haiti. China commends the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support Mission for its assistance in improving the security situation in Haiti. China calls on the country that initiated and contributed to the Mission, and in particular, the country that bears primary responsibility for the situation in Haiti, to continue to provide funding support. Meanwhile, the Security Council should implement the arms embargo against Haiti and cut off the supply of arms and ammunition to the gangs. China will continue to work with the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2653 (2022) concerning Haiti and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime to promote sanctions implementation and increase deterrence against the gangs. China hopes that countries in the region, CARICOM and the Organization of American States (OAS) can continue to increase their support for Haiti. Thirdly, the economy and people’s livelihoods must be improved to alleviate their humanitarian hardship. We encourage the Haitian authorities to increase their investment in development and improve the livelihoods of the people, especially children. We call on the international community to step up humanitarian assistance to help Haiti eradicate poverty and improve education, healthcare and social services, so as to continuously strengthen Haiti’s ability to safeguard people’s livelihoods and develop the economy on its own. We encourage the Economic and Social Council, the Peacebuilding Commission and United Nations development and humanitarian agencies to continue to play their corresponding roles in these areas. We call on the international financial institutions, the OAS and other organizations to invest more in helping Haiti develop its economy, improve people’s livelihoods and eliminate the breeding grounds for violence. Lastly, regarding the proposal to establish a support office for the Multinational Security Support Mission, China believes that any action taken by the Security Council should be based on careful study and sufficient reasoning, drawing on the lessons learned from past United Nations operations and taking into account the legitimate concerns and suggestions of all parties. China stands ready to maintain communication with all parties in searching for consensus. China will continue to work with the international community to play our constructive role in helping Haiti emerge from the crisis at an early date.

I am grateful for the presence in the Chamber of the representatives of Haiti, the Dominican Republic and Barbados, who distinguish us today with their participation and to whom I will give the floor. I now give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

At the outset, I would like to welcome the Panamanian presidency of the Security Council for the month of August and to thank Panama and the United States of America, the two co-penholders for the Haiti file, for convening this meeting on the humanitarian situation in Haiti. I would also like to thank the Secretary-General for his detailed and enlightening briefing. We welcome the constructive and forward-looking contributions of the members of the Security Council. We welcome the presence of the Ambassador of the Dominican Republic. Lastly, we welcome the presence of the Ambassador of Barbados, who will be making a statement on behalf of CARICOM, with which we align ourselves. We greatly appreciate the organization of this important meeting, which was preceded yesterday by a crucial meeting of the Organization of American States on Haiti’s road map for stability and peace with regional and international support. The meeting was attended by the Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr. Alix Didier Fils- Aimé, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, His Excellency Mr. Jean-Victor Havel Jean-Baptiste. As previous speakers clearly pointed out, the humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate at a worrisome rate, illustrated by the figures presented. I would like to highlight a number of factors that are undermining the social fabric of Haiti. These include the use of rape by gangs as a weapon of control and humiliation, particularly against women and children; the dysfunction of the health system, especially outside Port-au-Prince, where fewer than 50 per cent of facilities are active; and the increase in malnutrition, which has become one of the most pressing concerns. The humanitarian response remains vital, particularly in view of the large number of internally displaced people fleeing the violence of armed gangs. According to some estimates, a large proportion of the displaced population is unfortunately living in a situation of acute food insecurity. Furthermore, a large proportion of agricultural production cannot reach the main consumption centres, especially the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. To address this misery, which is compounding the structural problems of our society, the Government has mobilized resources to help more than 200,000 of the most vulnerable families hit hardest by the crisis. We are aware that this is still far from enough to meet the extent of the needs. In this context, while our institutions are considering ways and means of significantly increasing food aid, the Government strongly recommends that regional and international partners direct their support towards initiatives that will enable displaced people to return to their homes and reduce their dependence on humanitarian aid. All this is in line with the Secretary-General’s proposal for a hybrid format combining security, humanitarian and development assistance. Indeed, the combination of these three components is essential. Security assistance helps to restore order and protect the population, while humanitarian aid meets the immediate needs of the most disadvantaged sections of the population and supports agricultural recovery in order to reduce food dependency. The short-term strategy is based on finding solutions to pressing needs — food, health, education — and at the same time laying the foundations for the resumption of economic activity and the revival of agricultural production. To this end, the Government is calling for secure logistical support for the delivery of aid and massive support for the revival of agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises. These actions are essential to meet the immediate needs of vulnerable populations and gradually reduce food dependency. This is an integrated approach The gravity of the situation in Haiti requires a coordinated, integrated and sustainable humanitarian response. It should be endowed with adequate and sufficient resources so that we can confront the multiple challenges we face. It is worrisome to see that the humanitarian response plan devised by our international partners has, to date, only been 8 per cent funded. As the Secretary-General recalled earlier, of the $908 million required to help 3.9 million people in need, only $70 million has been received to date, or less than 10 per cent. Given this situation, we must find imaginative ways of securing other sources of funding and effectively and efficiently manage the meagre resources available. This is why we need to work in unison, to meticulously implement the Sevilla Commitment, the new financing architecture for international cooperation, at a juncture when international affairs are dominated by multiple crises which require, which compel multilateralism to urgently prioritize humanitarian issues and solidarity among peoples, especially the most vulnerable sectors of society, in order to leave no one behind. We must also be particularly vigilant so as to avoid duplication as well as isolated efforts being undertaken. On this note, we would like to once again call for coordinated and sustained humanitarian action, in line with national priorities. In conclusion, resolving Haiti’s humanitarian crisis will inevitably requires addressing the serious security crisis affecting the country. We would therefore like to once again reiterate that there is a pressing need for Security Council members to take a stance, without delay, on the Secretary-General’s proposal setting out the major elements of the role that the United Nations is called upon to play in Haiti as it faces this multidimensional crisis which has gone on far too long and cost the lives of thousands of innocent civilians.

I now give the floor to the representative of the Dominican Republic.

The Dominican Republic would like to thank Panama and the United States for convening this debate on the eve of the twentieth anniversary of resolution 1612 (2005), which established an historic framework for the protection of children in armed conflict. We join speakers before us such as the Secretary-General, the Director of UNICEF, Ms. Russell, and the representative of Haiti, who underscored in their statements that today the international community is facing an unprecedented challenge. Grave violations against children have reached alarming levels, in terms of both scale and cruelty. I would also like to recognize the presence of the representative of Barbados at this meeting. Haiti is a particularly alarming case in this context and a litmus test for the Council’s credibility. The situation in the humanitarian situation in Haiti is tragic. More than 5.4 million people are facing acute food insecurity, and 1.3 million have been displaced by violence, half of them children. The lack of food, water, medical and educational services have created a breeding ground for the expansion of criminal gangs. Against this alarming backdrop, children are the main victims. Between 30 and 50 per cent of members of gangs are children and teenagers, recruited forcibly or used for spying and carrying messages. Girls disproportionately face sexual violence as a way of control and humiliation. There were more than 560 cases verified in 2024, but that is surely only a fraction of a larger, more painful reality. Allow me to state the obvious. Without security, there is no possible humanitarian solution in Haiti. No nutritional, health or education programme can prosper while more than 80 per cent of Port-au-Prince and many other parts of the country remain Resolving the crisis is not impossible. What is needed is political will and concerted action. The Dominican Republic believes that the path towards stability in Haiti involves three areas of work. First, security and the rule of law must be restored, as has been mentioned here. The Multinational Security Support Mission, led by Kenya, is a commendable effort, but it is not enough. The Council must equip it with resources, capacity and a robust strategic framework to allow it to dismantle the power of the gangs and restore safe spaces for civilians. Secondly, humanitarian assistance must be strengthened, with a focus on the children. Programmes must prioritize therapeutic food, drinking water, vaccination and emergency education, while also providing psychological care and protection mechanisms for children, with a particular focus on children who have been victims of sexual violence. Thirdly, the reintegration of minors linked to armed groups must be ensured. It is essential to invest in education, vocational training and community support so that these children find dignified alternatives and do not remain trapped in a cycle of intergenerational violence. We acknowledge the efforts that are ongoing in the Council, and we welcome and are optimistic regarding the initiatives proposed, such as the one by the United States and Panama. These will help to mobilize international action, and we trust that this will pave the way towards a swift, sustained and effective response that will allow Haiti to recover its security and to open the way for humanitarian aid and development. The Dominican Republic reiterates its willingness to work constructively within the Council and the wider United Nations. Every day of inaction means more children recruited, more girls violated and more families condemned to hunger and displacement. Protecting children means protecting hope for an entire country. The Council has a duty to show that the international community can respond effectively and with humanity.

I now give the floor to the representative of Barbados.

I have the honour to deliver today’s statement on behalf of the 14 member States of the Caribbean community (CARICOM). CARICOM would like to thank you, Mr. President, and the members of the Council for convening this meeting. We also take the opportunity to thank Secretary- General António Guterres, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell and Mr. Jean Jean Roosevelt for their insightful and heartfelt briefings. CARICOM is encouraged that the Council continues to remain engaged on the steadily deteriorating and worrisome situation in Haiti, and that it has chosen to convene this briefing at this most critical moment, a moment when Haiti needs the support of the international community more than ever. As we have heard countless times before, and again today, the situation in Haiti is untenable and requires urgent action. It is for this reason that CARICOM reiterates its strong support for the Secretary-General’s recommendations, contained in his letter to the Council of February (S/2025/122). We continue to look forward to substantive discussions by the Council on those proposals. In our view, the proposals contained in that letter constitute a pragmatic approach to addressing some of the limitations under which the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission is currently operating. It is clear In order for there to be sustained and tangible improvement in the living conditions of the people of Haiti, international support and collaboration must remain central and must be significantly enhanced. CARICOM therefore underscores other calls for the urgent capitalization of the Haiti humanitarian needs and response plan and for greater support for the MSS Mission. The briefing by the UNICEF Executive Director makes clear that the consequences of our inaction are, as ever, affecting the most vulnerable, the children and the young people of Haiti, most dramatically. CARICOM heads of Government convened in Jamaica in July and expressed their deep concern over the lack of improvement of conditions in Haiti. At that meeting, they also reiterated their own commitment to expanding efforts to engage with all relevant actors for resources for security support and humanitarian assistance. CARICOM acknowledges with appreciation the considerable efforts made by the MSS Mission and its contributing member states, including several CARICOM countries, and the able leadership provided by Kenya. We also express our appreciation to the leadership and staff of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti and other stakeholders, who have been unsparing in their efforts to address the crisis in Haiti. We look forward, in particular, to working closely with the new Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Carlos Gabriel Ruiz Massieu Aguirre. In closing, time is of the essence. We urge the Council to step up its support to the people of Haiti and to take action today to put an end to the violence and the displacement that has ravaged Haiti and the Haitian people for too long.