UN briefing: $880 million appealed as Haiti crisis deepens, official warns violence and access barriers are worsening

At a United Nations Correspondents Association briefing, the U.N. briefer Mr. Sornoph appealed for $880 million to support humanitarian operations in Haiti, saying the crisis is “rapidly deteriorating” and that about 6.4 million people — more than half the country — now need assistance.

Mr. Sornoph described mass displacement, constrained humanitarian access and deepening protection problems: “The people of Haiti cannot wait,” he said, noting 1.45 million people displaced and conditions in which schools and shelters are overcrowded. He said about 1,600 schools remained closed because of insecurity and that roughly 250,000 children were missing education as a result.

The briefer highlighted food insecurity and protection concerns. He said 5.7 million people in Haiti are acutely food insecure, with families skipping meals and children leaving school; he warned that the situation showed “indicators that are worrisome” though the technical famine threshold (IPC 5) had not been reached. He also cited gender-based violence statistics from the previous year — 8,100 survivors recorded (a 25% increase), with half the reported cases involving rape — and said only about 30% of survivors received critical assistance within the 72-hour window.

On logistics and response capacity, Mr. Sornoph praised national staff and humanitarian partners, saying humanitarians reached roughly 3 million people last year despite a “horrendous and difficult operating environment.” He underscored the role of the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) and WFP in enabling access to hard-to-reach areas.

Journalists pressed on funding and security. In response to questions about resources, Mr. Sornoph said the current Haiti appeal is about 18–22% funded, reporting roughly $162.4 million received so far with major early contributions from the United States (about $86.9 million) and the European Union (around $49 million); he said more funding was needed to sustain operations. On security, he described alarming local conditions, including what he characterized as widespread armed-group control in parts of Port-au-Prince and recent waves of killings and displacement, and he urged that violence stop so aid can reach people.

On coordination with security actors, Mr. Sornoph stressed humanitarian principles of impartiality, neutrality and independence. Asked whether humanitarian actors would coordinate with a new gang-suppression force, he said aid organizations are engaging with relevant actors where necessary but working to preserve a clear distinction between security operations and humanitarian activities so civilians can be reached safely.

Why it matters: The U.N. presentation paints a picture of urgent need across protection, food security and access, while funding shortfalls and security constraints risk undermining lifesaving assistance. The appeal seeks to enable immediate relief to millions and to shore up protection and basic services amid escalating violence.

The briefer urged donors and governments to increase funding and stressed that humanitarian assistance alone cannot solve Haiti’s long-term trajectory, calling for political solutions and sustained investment in essential services. The session ended without a formal decision; the appeal remains open for donor contributions.