By Merve Aydogan
HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Thursday that Haiti faces a "perfect storm of suffering" as it remains the world's least-funded humanitarian appeal.
"For 2025, we require $908 million to support 3.9 million people. But less than 10% has been received, making Haiti the least funded humanitarian appeal in the world," Guterres told the Security Council.
"As a result, over 1.7 million people risk receiving no assistance at all," he said. "This is not a funding gap. It is a life-and-death emergency. I urge all donors to act before lifesaving operations grind to a halt."
Guterres described the scale of the crisis. "The people of Haiti are in a perfect storm of suffering. 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."
"Yet, Haiti remains shamefully overlooked and woefully underfunded," he said.
He warned that Haiti is among the five global hunger hotspots of "highest concern," noting that "basic services have collapsed" and "mass displacement has left children without education, health care or safety."
The UN chief also called for urgent protection of children, accountability for perpetrators of violence and swift Security Council action.
"Security measures must go hand-in-hand with raised pressure on those fueling the violence," he said. "These steps are vital to cut off the weapons and money that sustain chaos."
UNICEF chief Catherine Russell stressed the "unimaginable suffering" of children in Haiti.
Noting that the UN in Haiti verified more than 2,000 grave violations against children, Russell said: "The increased rate of violations has continued into 2025. In the first quarter of this year, there has been a 25% increase compared to the first quarter of 2024."
"Most alarming is the almost 700% rise in cases of recruitment and use of children,” in the armed conflict,” she said, “alongside a 54% increase in killing and maiming," adding that the UN regards "the true figures are much higher."
Reiterating the funding gap, she urged solidarity among donors. "Grave rights violations against children in Haiti or anywhere in the world cannot be tolerated."
"Every child deserves a chance to be safe, healthy, and to live in peace. But peace can only be forged and sustained when children are prioritized and protected," she said.
Haiti has faced years of gang violence and political turmoil, which escalated after the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021.
A Kenyan-led force authorized by the UN has failed to push back the gangs. An estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince is under the control of criminal groups.