UN official warns of 'total collapse of state presence' in Haiti amid rising gang violence

​​​​​​​By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - A senior UN official warned Wednesday that Haiti is on the verge of a complete breakdown, as brutal gang violence continues to erode the rule of law and paralyze the capital.

"Since my last visit to Haiti in January to engage in consultations with authorities on the secretary-general's recommendations, we have continued to witness a sharp erosion of state authority and the rule of law," Miroslav Jenca, UN assistant secretary-general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, told the Security Council.

Jenca described a "profound transformation" of Port-au-Prince, saying the capital is "for all intents and purposes paralyzed by gangs and isolated as a result of the ongoing suspension of international commercial flights into the Toussaint Louverture International Airport."

"Since then, gangs have only strengthened their foothold, which now affects all communes of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and beyond, pushing the situation closer to the brink," he said. "Without increased action by the international community, the total collapse of state presence in the capital could become a very real scenario."

He also highlighted that "this year alone, BINUH (UN Integrated Office in Haiti) recorded 4,026 victims of intentional homicide," including women and children.

"We must not fail Haiti at this critical moment. Let us act now. The options we have on the table now will be considerably less costly and complex than if there is a total collapse of state presence," he said.