Against the backdrop of ongoing instability and humanitarian challenge in Haiti, France reinforced its long-standing cooperation commitment to the Caribbean nation throughout 2025, allocating a total of €45 million across four core priority areas: security, emergency humanitarian aid, cultural exchange, and inclusive economic development.
### Security Cooperation: Building Capacity for Local Stability
Security remained the top pillar of France’s engagement, with a focus on strengthening the operational capacity of Haiti’s domestic security forces. France deepened its strategic partnership with the Haitian National Police (PNH), delivering four tons of specialized equipment across different PNH units and leading 11 targeted training courses that upskilled more than 400 officers from elite units including the SWAT team, Anti-Gang Tactical Unit (UTAG), Border Police (PoliFRONT), Departmental Operations and Intervention Brigade (BOID), and Intervention and Research Brigade (BRI). Several of these training programs were co-supported by France’s own elite law enforcement units, namely the RAID counterterrorism unit and the Anti-Narcotics Office (OFAST).
The bilateral training partnership between Haiti’s Armed Forces (FAd’H) and French Armed Forces based in the Antilles also advanced in 2025, with three new cohorts of Haitian soldiers completing training in Martinique. Since the program launched in 2024, roughly 100 FAd’H soldiers have received training, and the initiative is scheduled to continue expanding in 2026.
On the multilateral front, France threw its support behind the UN-backed Gang Suppression Force (GSF), which replaced the outgoing Multinational Security Support Mission. By 2025, France had contributed an additional €3.5 million to the GSF’s trust fund, adding to the €10 million it had already committed since 2023. France also worked to coordinate support from other European allies, helping secure a €10 million EU contribution to the Organization of American States (OAS) earmarked for constructing forward operating bases for the PNH and GSF.
### Humanitarian Aid: Addressing Urgent Needs Across Vulnerable Communities
France sustained a robust humanitarian commitment to Haiti in 2025, allocating €17 million to United Nations agencies, local and international non-governmental organizations, and human rights groups operating in the country.
A key €5 million investment went toward school canteen programs, implemented through a local procurement policy designed to bolster small-scale Haitian agricultural producers. Running under the joint management of Haiti’s National School Canteen Program (PNCS) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the initiative reached 80,000 students across all 10 of Haiti’s administrative departments for the 2025/2026 academic year.
An additional €3.5 million was allocated to Solidarités International and the WFP to tackle acute malnutrition and deliver emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable households in Haiti’s capital metropolitan area. The remaining €8.5 million was directed to supporting internally displaced persons and returned migrants, with a particular focus on women and girls. These funds provide critical access to medical care, clean water, and sanitation services, delivered through partnerships with UN agencies including UNICEF, UNHAS and IOM, and NGOs such as Solidarités International, ALIMA, Handicap International, ACTED, and Save the Children.
### Cultural and Educational Exchange: Sustaining Connections Amid Disruption
Even amid operational challenges that forced the temporary closure of the French Institute in Haiti (IFH) main premises, France maintained high levels of cultural cooperation through a partnership with Brazil’s Cultural Center and the existing network of local branches. In 2025 alone, IFH organized 183 cultural events spanning concerts, film screenings, theater and comedy performances, art exhibitions, workshops, academic conferences, public broadcasts and festivals, including special programming marking the institute’s 80th anniversary.
Cultural and linguistic engagement is anchored by the network of Alliance Française branches across five Haitian cities: Cap-Haïtien, Gonaïves, Les Cayes, Jérémie, and Jacmel. This expansive local network offers cultural programming, French language courses, and technical training to more than 5,000 registered learners annually. France also continued its long-standing support for leading Haitian cultural events, including the Quatre Chemins Festival, En Lisant Festival, PAPJazz, and the Port-au-Prince Book Fair, alongside funding the production of the Haitian artist spotlight podcast *Terre des Érudits* and the publication of the academic journal *Conjonction*.
In the education sector, France issued 247 student visas to Haitian learners in 2025, and awarded 15 master’s level scholarships and 12 Anténor Firmin doctoral scholarships for study in France. This investment in developing the next generation of Haitian leaders complements the academic excellence provided by the Lycée Français Alexandre Dumas in Port-au-Prince.
### Economic Development and Governance: Fostering Long-Term Inclusive Growth
For long-term economic development, the French Development Agency (AFD) disbursed €16.7 million in 2025 to fund development projects across Haiti focused on education, healthcare, and the cultural and creative industries. This core support was extended through AFD’s specialized subsidiaries: the Civil Society Organizations Support Unit disbursed an additional €3.9 million to local Haitian civil society groups, while Proparco, AFD’s private sector investment arm, issued a €1.5 million loan to support 2,000 local micro-enterprises.
Expertise France also expanded its presence in Haiti, delivering multiple projects backed by AFD and the European Union that aim to strengthen national governance systems, including civil registration, customs administration, and civil security. The French Embassy in Haiti additionally provides support to around 30 local civil society organizations working to advance human rights, with a specific focus on expanding gender equality and women’s rights across the country.