Haiti’s escalating security crisis took center stage at the 6th Sectoral Security Roundtable conference this week, where government officials and international partners convened to address rampant gang violence and its devastating societal impacts. Hosted at Port-au-Prince’s Karibe Hotel with support from the United Nations and the Center for Analysis and Research in Human Rights (CARDH), the high-level gathering focused on establishing a specialized Anti-Gang Force and comprehensive security restoration measures.
Serge Gabriel Collin, Haiti’s Minister of Economy and Finance, delivered a stark assessment of how insecurity has crippled the nation’s economic foundations and social fabric. He revealed alarming statistics: approximately 5.7 million Haitians now face severe food insecurity while over 1.4 million have been internally displaced due to gang-related violence. The minister attributed poor economic performance directly to the deteriorating security situation, emphasizing that without stability, economic recovery remains impossible.
Minister Collin outlined the Ministry’s multifaceted approach to combating the crisis through both direct security measures and indirect economic interventions. Key strategies include intensifying efforts against illicit trafficking networks that supply armed groups with narcotics, firearms, and ammunition. The government is strengthening border control operations at ports, airports, and land crossings to disrupt these supply chains. Additionally, financial security measures are being enhanced through aggressive anti-money laundering initiatives and counter-terrorism financing operations.
Beyond security-focused actions, the Ministry is deploying economic tools to address root causes of instability. These include supporting entrepreneurship programs, creating wealth redistribution mechanisms, and allocating specific budgetary resources to finance ongoing law enforcement operations. Social protection programs are being expanded to reduce inequalities and prevent factors that contribute to instability, representing a comprehensive approach to security restoration.
Axel Joseph, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister, reinforced the government’s unwavering commitment to security restoration, emphasizing that this remains the administration’s top priority. The Organization of American States (OAS) representative advocated for a coordinated, sustainable approach centered on building national capacity rather than relying solely on external interventions.
Conference participants unanimously concluded that only through concerted, multi-dimensional action can Haiti hope to achieve lasting stability. The consensus emphasized that security restoration must be accompanied by institutional strengthening and economic revitalization to create a sustainable foundation for peace and development.