• The UN warns Haiti is nearing a "point of no return" due to escalating gang violence.
• International support is critical as armed gangs control 80% of Port-au-Prince.
• Calls for increased humanitarian aid and support for police forces are emphasized.

Haiti is approaching a "point of no return" as rampant gang violence spirals, leading to fears of "total chaos," according to UN special representative Maria Isabel Salvador. Addressing the UN Security Council, she emphasized that as violence spreads, the population's vulnerability and skepticism about the government's ability to respond increase dramatically, compelling the need for international aid to avert disaster, "I urge you to remain engaged and answer the urgent needs of the country and its people," she stated, underscoring a dire situation exacerbated by cholera outbreaks and gender-based violence, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince... according to lemonde, trtglobal, and aljazeera.

The escalating violence has led gangs to seize control of significant areas, with armed groups reportedly controlling around 80% of Port-au-Prince, where more than 5,000 people have been killed in gang-related violence in 2024. Salvador remarked that the gangs have engaged in territorial battles, leading to increased chaos and instability, a state of affairs she described as a deliberate effort to dismantle the country's institutions and instill fear among the populace... according to lemonde, trtglobal, and africanews.

The UN has launched a call for enhanced support for existing police and security forces to combat the gangs. Salvador noted, "Haiti's humanitarian crisis has reached critical levels," indicating an urgent need for international engagement to bolster police capability in the face of rampant gang operations. Highlighting the significance of international collaboration, she argued that increasing aid should not be seen as optional but as a necessary response to an escalating crisis... according to lemonde, trtglobal, and africanews.