Introduction
Haiti is a chronically fragile state, highly vulnerable to natural hazards and human-induced disasters. The country is presently facing a surge in gang violence amidst deep socio-political instability.
Gang-related violence has reached unprecedented levels: more than 85% of the capital Port-Au-Prince is under the control of armed groups and half of the population (6 million people) is in need of humanitarian aid.
What are the needs?
Haiti has been grappling with a food crisis for the past 5 years. The recurrent gang attacks in the metropolitan area of Port-au-Prince and in other departments of the country have created a hostage-like situation for people, making it difficult for them to access basic services such as food, drinking water and healthcare.
Some 5.7 million people (nearly 50% of the population) are currently facing acute food insecurity, with 2 million in immediate need of help and 8,400 facing catastrophic levels of food insecurity. About 130,000 children aged 6-59 months, along with pregnant and nursing women, are at risk of acute malnutrition, with 165,000 suffering from moderate malnutrition. This is mainly due to exacerbated violence, intensified forced displacement and a continued high level of inflation.
Over 1 million people had to flee their homes to survive, often more than once, becoming internally displaced. As they are sheltered in host communities and makeshift sites (mainly in schools, churches, or public squares), they remain exposed to significant protection concerns with severe incidences of sexual violence, exploitation and abuses. In the first quarter of 2025, Dominican migration authorities deported 86,406 Haitians.
The extreme levels of violence have also made it challenging for children to access education. Many schools have closed and many of them are increasingly used as shelters for internally displaced people. At the same time recruitment of children into armed gangs increased by 70% in 2024, it is estimated that in 2024, 50% of gang members were minors.
In addition, only 40% of health facilities remain fully operational, including only a single public hospital open in Port-au-Prince. Between January and April 2025, more than 1,700 suspected cases of cholera were recorded, including 39 confirmed cases, and 26 deaths.
Furthermore, the airport in Port-au-Prince has not functioned since November 2024.
How are we helping?
With €538 million allocated since 1994, Haiti is the main recipient of EU humanitarian aid in Latin America and the Caribbean.
For 2025, the EU will allocate nearly €20 million to address the needs of the most vulnerable population. This will include €1.5 million in emergency humanitarian funding to support cholera prevention and response efforts in Haiti, particularly following the increase in cases in the capital and the West and Artibonite departments.
Among the different areas of intervention, the funding aims to:
- address the survival needs of people affected by the recent increase in political and gang-related violence, including forcibly displaced people;
- strengthen the capacity of communities to respond to disasters;
- help provide children with access to quality education in a safe environment;
- support the emergency response to the cholera epidemic currently affecting Haiti;
- improve coordination and security management for the humanitarian community.
In April and May 2024, the EU activated 2 EU Humanitarian Air Bridge operations, shipping 107 tonnes of relief items from Panama to Cap-Haïtien.
Since 1998, the EU has invested around €38 million in its disaster preparedness programme, aiming to put in place early warning systems and rapid response capacities.
This funding aims to strengthen the emergency response through strategic partners working closely with national response bodies against recurring natural hazards. Improving the resilience of the most vulnerable communities to natural and epidemic risks remains a priority.
A Memorandum of Understanding on disaster risk management has been established as a new collaboration instrument between the European Union and the Latin America and Caribbean region. This agreement focuses on disaster preparedness and risk management, and it became effective in May 2024. Regional disaster management agencies, including the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA), have signed as parties to the agreement.
Last updated: 15/05/2025
Facts & figures
6 million people in need of humanitarian aid
5.7 million people estimated to be acute food insecure
Over 1 million people internally displaced
130,000 children aged 6-59 months at risk of severe acute malnutrition (SAM)
EU humanitarian funding:
€35.9 million in 2024
€19.88 million in 2025