(2025-10) BINUH - Report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti

S United Nations /2025/641 Security Council Distr.: General 14 October 2025 Original: English United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti Report of the Secretary-General I. Introduction 1. The present report is submitted pursuant to Security Council resolution 2785 (2025), by which the Council extended to 31 January 2026 the mandate of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), in accordance with resolution 2476 (2019) establishing BINUH. It covers the major developments since the previous report on 27 June 2025. II. Political issues and good governance Political developments 2. The Haitian political process entered the final months of the transitional governance arrangements agreed in March 2024, which foresaw the transfer of authority to elected officials by 7 February 2026. Amid continuing gang violence, the transitional authorities have yet to formally announce a calendar for the constitutional referendum and elections, although technical preparations continue. On the security side, the Haitian National Police, the Armed Forces of Haiti and the Multinational Security Support Mission continued to conduct operations in metropolitan Port-au- Prince against gangs but have been unable to reclaim neighbourhoods under gang control. Against this backdrop, on 30 September, the Security Council adopted resolution 2793 (2025), authorizing Member States to transition the Multinational Security Support Mission to the Gang Suppression Force, in close cooperation and coordination with the Government of Haiti, and with logistical support from a United Nations Support Office. The new Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH, Carlos Ruiz Massieu, arrived in the country on 2 August and has since actively engaged with national authorities, political party leaders, civil society organizations and representatives of the international community to encourage an inclusive inter-Haitian dialogue, reduce political tensions and support nationally led efforts to restore democratic institutions and strengthen political stability and human rights. 3. As the rotating coordinator of the Transitional Presidential Council from 7 March to 7 August, Fritz Jean sought to maintain cohesion among transitional authorities and resolve systemic issues in public administration, notably a lack of transparency, and in national security. He established a national hotline for citizens to 25-15804 (E) 161025 *2515804* S/2025/641 report corruption and abuses in public institutions. Following a call for negotiations by a United Nations-sanctioned gang leader on 15 July, the Transitional Presidential Council issued a statement on 21 July rejecting dialogue with gangs and reaffirming that justice, fighting impunity, and reparation for victims remained key transitional priorities. On 7 August, Laurent Saint-Cyr, representative of the business sector, assumed the rotating coordination and pledged his commitment to restore State authority, represent all Haitians and strengthen cohesion among transitional authorities, calling for inclusive dialogue and national unity. On 10 and 11 August, he met with the former Presidents Jean-Bertrand Aristide, Jocelerme Privert and Prosper Avril to discuss governance issues, institutional reform, security and elections. 4. With the 7 February deadline to end the political transition approaching, national stakeholders have expressed divergent views on whether to preserve or modify current transitional governance arrangements, particularly if elections are not held in time. Many have expressed concern about the risk of a political vacuum, while others have advanced alternative proposals or called for dialogue on possible adjustments to the current framework. On 13 August, political groups, including the Accord du 21 décembre, Les Engagés pour le développement and the Collectif du 30 janvier, urged an inclusive national dialogue on new arrangements. That same day, the Bureau de suivi de l’Accord Montana proposed creating a three-member Transitional Presidential Council and an oversight body to monitor government action. On 20 August, a coalition of political and civil society organizations, among them the Rassemblement des démocrates nationaux progressistes, Force Louverturienne, En avant, the Initiative du 24 avril 2025 and the Collectif du 4 décembre 2013, called upon the Transitional Presidential Council to step down at the end of its mandate, advocating instead the appointment of a Court of Cassation judge as transitional President, with the Prime Minister chosen through consultations. In contrast, several political figures, including a group of former prime ministers, proposed a one-year extension, starting on 7 February 2026, under a new political accord, leading to a constitutional referendum and elections by October 2026. 5. Regional and international partners continued to support dialogue efforts. On 1 July, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Eminent Persons Group resumed consultations with Haitian political and civil society actors. At the meeting of CARICOM Heads of Government in Montego Bay, Jamaica, from 6 to 8 July, the coordinator of the Transitional Presidential Council appealed for greater assistance to security institutions, stressing that improved security was essential for credible elections. On 20 August, the Secretary-General of the Organization of American States (OAS) presented to its Permanent Council a road map entitled “Towards a Haitian-led road map for stability and peace with regional and international support”, structured around five pillars covering security, humanitarian response, political consensus, elections and development. On 27 August, the Prime Minister of Haiti, Alix Fils-Aimé, at a Group of Friends of Haiti meeting in Washington, D.C., welcomed the road map as a basis for aligning regional and international support with national priorities, namely security, elections and institutional reforms. 6. At his first meeting with national authorities on 11 August, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General emphasized the need to make further progress towards securing the country and preparing for elections while preserving political stability and upholding good governance principles. Addressing frustration over security challenges voiced by Haitian stakeholders during consultations on 12 and 13 August, the Special Representative reiterated that an inclusive and constructive Haitian-led dialogue was the only viable path to renewed consensus on ways to create the necessary conditions for holding elections. 2/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 7. Boosting regional engagement, on 11 August the Special Representative visited the Dominican Republic and met the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Defence to discuss international security assistance to Haiti, as well as the importance of BINUH good offices in supporting the Haitian political process. During a meeting with the coordinator of the Transitional Presidential Council, held at the eightieth session of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General noted the importance of unity among national actors to ensure the implementation of the transition road map. In a series of high-level meetings on Haiti, held on the margins of the general debate, the Special Representative called for robust international support to Haiti in addressing its multidimensional crisis. He also highlighted the role of BINUH in supporting a Haitian-owned political process while emphasizing the importance of inclusive dialogue among Haitians. Electoral preparations 8. On 3 July, a decree establishing the legal framework for the organization of a constitutional referendum was promulgated, providing, for the first time, for the participation of the Haitian diaspora and setting a 60-day period between the publication of the draft constitution and the holding of the referendum. On 15 and 16 August, political groups, civil society and faith-based organizations, including the Catholic Conference of Bishops, warned that advancing a constitutional review in the current fragile environment risked inflaming tensions. On 25 August, the Port-au- Prince Bar Association echoed these warnings, pointing to constitutional and legal flaws that could undermine the credibility and legitimacy of the reform. 9. On 28 August, the Chair of the National Conference Steering Committee submitted a revised draft constitution to the Transitional Presidential Council, stressing that it had garnered support from stakeholders in Haiti and the diaspora, albeit far from unanimous. Calls for a constituent assembly continued, while others insisted that adequate security and political conditions should be established before any further progress was made. 10. Despite the challenging environment and uncertainty surrounding the electoral calendar, the Provisional Electoral Council continued technical preparations. With United Nations technical and logistical assistance and security support from the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti, the Council completed the assessment of voting centres across 9 of 10 departments on 21 June. In the West Department, where most voters are registered, insecurity restricted access to 5 of 20 communes. The Council’s list shows the number of voting centres currently standing at 1,309 for an estimated 6.2 million voters, 51.6 per cent of whom are women. To date, about 460 staff from departmental and communal offices have completed training on electoral procedures. 11. On 5 August, the Provisional Electoral Council submitted to the executive a revised operational plan and budget of $136.5 million for the first phase of elections, citing costs linked to insecurity, additional investments and accumulated salary arrears. 12. United Nations support continued through the integrated project led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), complemented by the advisory and technical role of BINUH. On 2 July and 19 August, during visits to the Provisional Electoral Council, the Prime Minister and members of the Transitional Presidential Council reaffirmed their commitment to organizing an inclusive and credible electoral process. 25-15804 3/17 S/2025/641 III. Security, rule of law and human rights Armed violence 13. Gang activities and expansion have slowed in the metropolitan area of Port-au- Prince as a result of ongoing clashes of armed gangs with security forces and vigilante groups. However, gangs have continued expanding into the capital’s peripheral areas, notably Kenscoff and Cabaret (West Department), as well as into the Artibonite and Centre Departments, with a new attack in the North-West Department. 14. Gangs continued to commit human rights abuses, including targeted killings, injuries, deprivation of liberty, extortion and sexual slavery. Residents suspected of cooperating with police or disobeying gang norms continued to be killed, with women and girls also reportedly subjected to rape as a form of punishment. Illegal checkpoints, theft, and destruction of property further undermined social, economic and cultural rights. 15. Between 1 June and 31 August, BINUH recorded 2,123 victims of intentional homicides nationwide, including 161 women, 16 girls and 29 boys, a 10 per cent decrease compared with the 2,364 victims registered between March and May. However, intentional homicides rose dramatically in the Artibonite and Centre Departments, with 1,303 victims reported between January and August, compared with 419 during the same period in 2024, a 210 per cent increase. From 1 June to 31 August, gangs abducted 334 people, including 69 women, 10 girls and 14 boys, compared with 328 kidnappings recorded in the previous three months. 16. In Kenscoff, gangs intensified attacks on farming villages to expand territorial control, digging trenches to block armoured police vehicles. In July and August, 4 police officers were killed, at least 10 were injured, 3 armoured vehicles were destroyed, and the Furcy police substation was burned down. During the same period, 22 residents (11 men, 10 women and 1 child) were killed and 9 men were injured. On 19 August, an accidental drone explosion killed two police officers and injured six others. Gang members also temporarily seized a strategic communications site of the National Civil Aviation Office, which was retaken by police on 25 August. In the West Department on 11 and 12 September, a gang attack on the village of Labodrie in Cabaret left more than 42 people dead as assailants indiscriminately targeted residents and set properties ablaze. 17. Gang activities and abuses in Mirebalais and surrounding areas in the Centre Department persisted in July and August. On 3 July, gangs attacked Lascahobas, near the border with the Dominican Republic, killing at least nine people, including one police officer, injuring several others and displacing residents. Clashes resumed on 7 August in Lascahobas and Mirebalais. On 25 August, national security forces carried out an operation in Mirebalais, regaining control of the area. In the Artibonite, attacks during the same period left 42 residents dead and 29 injured, with the police station in Marchand Dessalines set on fire and the police station in Liancourt destroyed on 15 September. On 18 September, gangs attacked Bassin Bleu in the North-West Department, killing one person and burning the police station. These assaults underscore the capacity of gangs to consolidate control across a corridor from the Centre to the Artibonite amid limited law enforcement presence and logistical constraints. 18. On 13 July, Haitian authorities seized over 1,045 kg of cocaine off Île de la Tortue (North-West Department), the largest drug seizure in the country in three decades. The operation, during which at least one individual was killed, highlighted the country’s continued use as a transit hub exploited by regional trafficking networks. 4/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 Police-related developments 19. Following the appointment of a new interim Director General of the Haitian National Police on 7 August and the declaration of a three-month state of emergency in the West, Centre and Artibonite Departments, personnel changes were made within the police high command. These measures are aimed at revitalizing the institution, preserving its cohesion, strengthening anti-gang strategies and improving coordination between security forces and civilian authorities. 20. As at 31 August, the national police reported a workforce of 13,501 officers, including 1,776 women (13.2 per cent). Between June and August, the Haitian National Police reported the loss of 27 officers, of whom 13 were killed by gunfire. In early October, approximately 892 new recruits, including 161 women (18 per cent), began basic training as part of the thirty-fifth class. Critical operational gaps persist: of 116 armoured vehicles, 25 are non-operational, 23 destroyed in operations and 2 reportedly in gang hands. Of 413 police stations nationwide, 79 remain non-operational. 21. Despite these challenges, infrastructure and operational capacity were reinforced. With international support, the Champs de Mars police station was refurbished, and 24 vehicles and 8 ambulances were delivered. On 7 September, the Government provided the police with 10 armoured vehicles and personal protective equipment. In Kenscoff, the main station and substation were rehabilitated, while in Borgne (North Department) the police station was refurbished. In July, OAS sponsored two specialized training sessions for 35 investigators, including 2 women, on anti-drug operations and investigative techniques, and on 2 October it delivered over 90 motorcycles and a batch of logistical equipment. 22. To support long-term institutional development, on 24 July and 30 September BINUH convened high-level meetings with the national police leadership, international partners and bilateral donors. A coordination mechanism was established to ensure that donor support aligned with the police’s comprehensive strategic development plan, aimed at reducing fragmentation and preventing duplication. 23. Between June and September, BINUH and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented at least 733 killings and 423 injuries during security force operations against gangs. While 78 per cent of casualties were gang members, 22 per cent were residents struck by stray bullets at home or during daily activities, raising concerns from the United Nations about precautionary measures. Outside such operations, some officers continued to summarily execute individuals suspected of gang links. Through a dedicated mechanism, BINUH and OHCHR transmitted details on 100 documented cases of extrajudicial and attempted extrajudicial killings (142 killings: 126 men, 14 women and 2 children; and 30 injuries) to the General Inspectorate of the Haitian National Police. No investigations were completed and handed to the Director General of Police. Since the vetting process began in June 2023, the General Inspectorate has investigated 334 officers. In line with the human rights due diligence policy on United Nations support to non-United Nations security forces, BINUH and OHCHR also provided support to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). 24. On 20 September, a drone operation was carried out by the special police task force against a gang in Cité Soleil (West Department). According to data collected by BINUH and OHCHR, the operation resulted in at least 21 people killed (16 adult male suspected gang members and 5 members of the population: a pregnant woman, a boy and 3 girls) and 41 others injured (23 suspected gang members: 21 men and 2 women; and 18 members of the population: 9 women and 7 children, including 2 girls). 25-15804 5/17 S/2025/641 National authorities informed BINUH that the Haitian National Police was preparing to release a report on the operation. From 1 March to 20 September, drone operations resulted in at least 547 people killed (527 suspected gang members and 20 members of the population, including 11 children) and 489 injured (461 suspected gang members and 28 members of the population, including 9 children). Justice, impunity and corruption 25. On 24 June, the Council of Ministers adopted decrees revising those of 11 March 2020 on the Penal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure, incorporating new provisions proposed by the Commission for the Implementation of Penal Reform. The Codes are scheduled to enter into force on 24 December 2025. BINUH, with the Justice and Corrections Standing Capacity, continues to support the Commission, including through an impact assessment of the reform. 26. On 3 July, the Superior Council of the Judiciary marked its thirteenth anniversary in the presence of the Transitional Presidential Council, the Prime Minister and senior judicial officials. The President of the Superior Council of the Judiciary highlighted achievements and persistent challenges, notably the paralysis of judicial activity in several jurisdictions due to insecurity and lack of resources, and appealed for greater support to judicial reform. 27. Efforts to pursue gang leaders and alleged collaborators continued. On 10 July, the Port-au-Prince Public Prosecutor froze bank accounts of individuals sanctioned by the Security Council and launched investigations. On 28 July, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security adopted a protocol for handling Haitian nationals deported or extradited to Haiti on charges of financial crimes or terrorism links, requiring their immediate transfer to the Public Prosecutor. Former senator Nènel Cassy, accused of alleged links with gangs, was arrested on 2 August by the national police and released on 19 August by the Port-au-Prince Prosecutor. 28. Judicial proceedings in high-profile cases remained slow. On 16 July, the Port- au-Prince Court of Appeal closed hearings in the investigation into the assassination of the then President, Jovenel Moïse, following the Public Prosecutor’s submissions requesting the annulment of the January 2024 order to refer the accused to the Court of First Instance on procedural grounds. The Court deliberating on this case and has yet to render its decision. Hearings proceeded into the Pont Sondé massacre, while the Wharf Jérémie massacre remained under investigation, with support from BINUH and OHCHR. No tangible progress was achieved in other cases, including the Grande Ravine (2017), La Saline (2018) and Bel-Air (2019) massacres and the 2020 killing of the Port-au-Prince Bar Association President Monferrier Dorval. 29. On 17 July, the penal chain committee in Port-au-Prince resumed its work, gathering judicial, civil society and international actors to address pretrial detention, and agreed to meet regularly. On 15 and 16 July, the Port-au-Prince Prosecutor’s Office, with BINUH and OHCHR support, began reconstructing the judicial files of 21 minors detained at the Centre for Education and Social Reintegration of Minors in Conflict with the Law. That same month, BINUH and OHCHR funded criminal hearings at the Court of Les Cayes, which resulted in 27 cases being adjudicated, 25 individuals released and 8 convicted. 30. The justice and anti-impunity programme, implemented by UNDP in cooperation with BINUH, organized two workshops, on 8 August in Les Cayes on corruption in the justice system (32 participants) and on 27 and 28 August in Cap-Haïtien to strengthen the capacity of legal assistants (39 participants). BINUH and UNDP also supported the Judicial Training School in hosting a symposium in Port-au-Prince from 6/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 9 to 11 July for 165 participants, including 100 women, who assessed the challenges and progress in addressing sexual offences. 31. BINUH, OHCHR and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) continued providing technical and logistical support to operationalize the two specialized judicial units established by decree on 14 April 2025. As at 30 September, the Ministry of Justice and Public Security had recruited six public prosecutors to serve in these units, with OHCHR and UNODC supporting the selection process to ensure professionalism, transparency and integrity. The recruitment of magistrates is ongoing. Corrections 32. Haitian prisoners continued to face dire conditions, including severe overcrowding, poor ventilation, limited access to healthcare and food shortages, contributing to a high number of deaths. In July, 13 male detainees died in Jacmel prison due to extreme heat and severe overcrowding. Built for 139 inmates, the facility currently holds 779, including 36 women, with 81 per cent in pretrial detention and only 0.14 m2 of space per person. The precarious conditions of detention prompted BINUH to intensify engagement; the Special Representative met national authorities to address systemic issues across all prisons. BINUH called for the urgent deployment of medical staff, ad hoc hearings to reduce pretrial detention and the construction of new facilities. As at 10 September, the national prison population stood at 7,235 detainees, including 399 women, 247 boys and 31 girls, of whom 5,894 (81.5 per cent) remained in pretrial detention. The occupancy rate reached 299 per cent, with just 0.34 m2 of space per inmate. 33. In July, the sharp reduction in support from a long-standing international prison healthcare provider further aggravated the medical situation. In response, BINUH supported the development of an urgent action plan and held a coordination meeting, on 8 August, with the Directorate of Prison Administration and the Ministry of Public Health and Population. Key outcomes included an agreement to formalize healthcare arrangements through a memorandum of understanding between the two ministries and to strengthen the Directorate’s oversight of prison health data. 34. BINUH and OHCHR began providing legal, administrative and technical support to judicial authorities to organize criminal hearings for minors in detention across the country’s 18 jurisdictions. Between September 2022 and March 2025, four major prison breaches, including the women’s facility, reduced national correctional capacity by about 44 per cent, leaving the only remaining functional site in Port-au- Prince, built for 90 juveniles, overcrowded with more than 600 inmates of all categories. Without plans to reopen the breached facilities due to gang control and resource constraints, the Minister of Justice and Public Security endorsed a BINUH proposal to create a task force, involving national and international partners, to improve detention conditions, develop sustainable infrastructure and manage high- security inmates. Community violence reduction 35. The dissolution of the National Disarmament, Dismantlement and Reintegration Commission in May 2025 continues to create an institutional gap, hampering national implementation of related activities. In the absence of a dedicated counterpart, disarmament and community violence reduction efforts have relied on ad hoc mechanisms and international support, while the interministerial and inter-institutional task force on the national disarmament, dismantlement, reintegration and community violence reduction strategy continues to convene relevant national institutions and international partners to ensure coordination. 25-15804 7/17 S/2025/641 36. BINUH facilitated the organization of a private sector national forum on disarmament, dismantlement, reintegration and community violence reduction from 29 to 31 July with 132 participants, 45 of them women, from 10 departmental chambers of commerce. The coordinator of the Transitional Presidential Council also attended. Participants proposed ways to promote youth disengagement from gangs, as well as socioeconomic reintegration at the local level. 37. On 15 July, BINUH convened the interministerial and inter-institutional task force to address child recruitment by gangs. The meeting supported the presidential commission mandated to establish a national network of reception and rehabilitation centres for children released from gangs or in conflict with the law. Discussions were focused on a national disengagement protocol, a joint technical unit for children associated with gangs, and stronger interministerial coordination. These efforts reflected a growing commitment to child protection within the broader framework and underscored the need for a multisectoral approach to prevention and reintegration. BINUH also engaged transitional authorities and civil society to support the design of reintegration pathways covering reception, family reunification, education and employment. 38. BINUH continued to support the security and justice working group of the interministerial task force on weapons and ammunition management, in cooperation with the United Nations Regional Centre for Peace, Disarmament and Development in Latin America and the Caribbean and UNODC, to improve traceability, stockpile security and community safety. On 16 July, BINUH also participated in the Caribbean Firearms Roadmap midterm review, sharing the country’s experience and contributing to regional recommendations. National human rights institutions and civil society organizations 39. BINUH and OHCHR supported national anti-corruption efforts by strengthening civil society capacities and working with public institutions. In June, a civil society organization, in partnership with the Office for the Protection of Citizens, trained 27 organizations in Ouanaminthe (North-East Department) on social audit techniques to improve oversight of public projects. The workshop concluded a cycle of sessions across four departments (Centre, Grand-Anse, Artibonite and North-East), which equipped 78 civil society organizations with tools to monitor local authorities and strengthen accountability. 40. Through the Peace and Integrity Club initiative, implemented with two national partners since November 2024, BINUH and OHCHR supported youth engagement in civic life. The programme reached 17 schools in 17 communes, fostering responsibility and integrity through interactive activities and engaging 495 students (238 boys and 257 girls). In parallel, 38 youth-led projects promoting human rights, civic values and social cohesion were implemented in 24 communes, focused on peacebuilding, environmental protection and community resilience. Activities included rehabilitating public spaces, creating “walls of peace” murals, providing entrepreneurship training and mentorship and holding dialogue sessions between young people and police to build trust. In total, 2,644 participants (1,326 women and 1,318 men) took part in these projects. 41. Capacity-building initiatives supported by BINUH and OHCHR were also aimed at empowering youth human rights defenders. In July, a three-month programme led by a local human rights organization concluded, having trained 28 young people (17 men and 11 women) in human rights principles, monitoring, organizational management, leadership, good governance and standards on the use of force. During a second phase, beginning in September, top participants will be mentored to strengthen their leadership skills. 8/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 42. To address land conflicts, BINUH and OHCHR organized a workshop in the South Department in July with 34 representatives from public administration, the judiciary and civil society to examine challenges and strengthen prevention mechanisms. A follow-up is planned in Gonaïves to launch research initiatives. In line with Security Council resolution 2699 (2023), and to enhance the accountability of security forces, BINUH and OHCHR also supported a local human rights organization in convening the fourth and final round table in 2025 between security forces, including the Haitian National Police and the Armed Forces of Haiti, and human rights groups, which helped to build trust and identify practical avenues for cooperation. IV. Multinational Security Support Mission coordination 43. Following preparatory meetings in July, BINUH, UNODC and the Multinational Security Support Mission held monthly sessions in August and September to deepen cooperation and conduct joint situational assessments of security, gang dynamics, illicit trafficking and border controls. Participants emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation with the Haitian National Police on operational and training needs, with future meetings expected to include national police representatives. Ahead of the expiration of the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission on 2 October, on 30 September, the Security Council adopted resolution 2793 (2025), authorizing the transition of the Mission to a Gang Suppression Force. 44. As part of its human rights compliance monitoring and capacity-building mandate, between June and September OHCHR facilitated two predeployment sessions and eight in-mission training and training-of-trainers sessions, attended by 205 Multinational Security Support Mission personnel (199 men and 6 women) from El Salvador, Guatemala and Kenya. The sessions covered human rights compliance, use of force, protection from sexual exploitation and abuse, handling of children associated with gangs, and humanitarian principles, with contributions from the inter- agency protection from sexual exploitation and abuse coordinator, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs of the Secretariat. In August, OHCHR and the Multinational Security Support Mission organized a multi-stakeholder workshop in Cap-Haïtien to harmonize the human rights predeployment training curriculum, bringing together Mission representatives, participating countries (Bahamas (The), El Salvador, Guatemala and Kenya) and financial partners. 45. OHCHR and the Multinational Security Support Mission delivered 12 training sessions for 391 human rights organizations (benefiting 84 men and 205 women) on reporting through the Mission’s complaint and reporting mechanism. Between June and September, OHCHR monitored some 70 operations by Haitian security forces supported by the Mission and confirmed no violations attributable to them; findings were analysed with Mission leadership to inform planning. On 2 September, BINUH and OHCHR supported the sectoral table on security and reaffirmed their commitment to professionalizing the Haitian National Police, strengthening the justice system and integrating human rights into security strategies. V. Women and peace and security 46. From May to August, the monitoring, analysis and reporting arrangements implemented by BINUH to track sexual violence by armed individuals recorded 582 incidents of sexual violence involving 635 victims, predominantly women and girls. Collective rape accounted for 85 per cent of cases. Grande Ravine, Village de Dieu 25-15804 9/17 S/2025/641 and Les Argentins gangs were identified as primary perpetrators. Although 346 incidents occurred prior to the reporting period, they were only disclosed to United Nations entities later. 47. In parallel, the Gender-Based Violence Sub-Cluster received 2,646 reports of incidents of gender-based violence from June to August. Of these incidents, 56 per cent were either rape or sexual assault, and only 25 per cent of survivors reported being able to receive medical care within the first 72 hours. 48. BINUH and OHCHR trained 56 Haitian National Police investigators (including 31 women) in Port-au-Prince to help to strengthen law enforcement capacity to investigate sexual violence and, separately, established coordination platforms with service providers and community groups in four police precincts. On 17 September, a police-led campaign to reduce stigma around reporting was launched with support from the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) and OHCHR, while OHCHR continued to advise the ministerial commission on combating impunity for sexual violence. 49. Efforts to raise awareness of sexual and gender-based violence intensified. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) continued outreach on services and referral pathways, while between June and August the Human Rights Service conducted 22 awareness-raising sessions across seven internally displaced persons sites, reaching 393 people (including 286 women). In July, BINUH engaged with 59 vodou leaders (38 women) from the West and Artibonite in a prevention and response event designed to challenge harmful social norms. Training sessions by UNICEF were aimed at enabling 150 people, including 75 women, to strengthen their role in disseminating positive messages to prevent gender-based violence in their communities and 32 front-line workers to ensure effective and respectful referral of survivors to appropriate gender-based violence services and ensure more timely and effective responses to protection cases. 50. BINUH, in partnership with IOM and Université Quisqueya, concluded a Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs-financed project to strengthen social cohesion and enhance women’s leadership in mediation. A total of 124 women, including civil society leaders, community police officers and camp managers, were trained as peace ambassadors in conflict resolution and mediation; 62 received advanced training as trainers to ensure sustainability. The project advanced the women and peace and security and youth and peace and security agendas by centring women and young people in stabilization and strengthening civilian-security force relations. In August, 58 organizations from Haiti and abroad, in an open letter, urged the Transitional Presidential Council to prioritize women’s participation in public affairs and strengthen protection from sexual and gender-based violence. 51. During the reporting period, UN-Women supported national and regional processes advancing the women and peace and security agenda, including by participating in consultations with the Inter-American Development Bank on the country’s medium-term recovery and development plan for 2025–2030 to ensure women’s participation and gender-responsive priorities. In cooperation with the Ministry for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights, UN-Women provided technical support to develop the national action plan on resolution 1325 (2000), including by ensuring that departmental consultations with 156 women and 51 men were conducted and that an online survey reached 20,000 young people. Between July and August, 30 women-led organizations in Centre and Artibonite received assistance in developing joint initiatives with local authorities and the Ministry. 10/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 VI. Sexual exploitation and abuse 52. From 1 June to 31 August, BINUH registered no allegations of sexual exploitation and abuse involving its personnel or those of previous United Nations missions. The mission continued to ensure that victims of past cases received assistance in line with established protocols, funded through the mission budget. BINUH also facilitated meetings between two victims and representatives of the relevant permanent mission and provided legal assistance to support the resolution of their paternity claims. 53. A series of training-of-trainers workshops on prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse concluded in July, with the final session in the South Department. Facilitated by the inter-agency protection from sexual exploitation and abuse coordinator and the Directorate General for Civil Protection, and with support from the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Directorate General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, the workshops gathered 46 participants from key ministries and institutions, equipping them to cascade knowledge and contributing to a road map aligning the approach of the Directorate General for Civil Protection with global standards. VII. Unemployment, youth and other vulnerable groups Socioeconomic situation 54. The economic and social situation in Haiti remains precarious, with 2025 projected to mark the seventh consecutive year of contraction. World Bank estimates show that gross domestic product is expected to fall by 2.2 per cent, an improvement over the 4.2 per cent decline in 2024 but still reflecting deep fragility. The Ministry of Economy and Finance projects a modest return to growth of 0.3 per cent in 2026 and, in the preparation of the 2025–2026 national budget, has sought to address high levels of poverty and inflation, as well as the erosion of social and economic rights. Gang control of major roads is driving inflation, projected between 20 and 30 per cent in 2025, worsening food insecurity and undermining basic living standards. 55. The United Nations country team continued to implement its Cooperation Framework, adjusting to crisis priorities, particularly the rise in internally displaced persons and deportees. On 4 and 5 September, UNDP and UNICEF consulted with the Government on the recovery and development plan for 2025–2030, designed with international partners. 56. The Government also established an enterprise support facility with the International Labour Organization (ILO) to assist small businesses. On 11 September, UN-Women and the Minister for the Status of Women and Women’s Rights launched the first session of the working group on the country’s gender profile to strengthen evidence-based, gender-sensitive policies. Social protection and food security 57. Through Better Work Haiti, implemented by ILO and the International Finance Corporation, $3.1 million in severance and wage arrears were recovered for 5,200 displaced workers, while 8,500 workers, many of them young women, were newly enrolled in health insurance schemes. United Nations agencies and the World Bank launched initiatives to strengthen social protection systems. The Government created a trust fund to support women-owned businesses, while Peacebuilding Fund programmes revitalized rice production and created jobs. On food security, under the ILO-WFP PROFIT project, additional breadfruit flour units were being constructed 25-15804 11/17 S/2025/641 to supply school canteens, generating 200 jobs, 60 per cent of which were for women. In Les Cayes, post-earthquake school reconstruction supported by UNICEF and UNOPS has created employment. Child protection 58. Child protection remained a serious concern as gangs intensified the recruitment of minors, compounded by insecurity, displacement and weak institutions. By the end of August, 1,606 schools were closed, 1,087 fully and 519 partially, affecting more than 243,000 children, mostly in the West, Centre and Artibonite. In addition, 102 schools, representing 38 per cent of internally displaced persons sites, were used as shelters, further undermining protective environments. According to IOM, by June 2025 about 700,000 children, or 53 per cent of nearly 1.3 million internally displaced persons, had been displaced by violence, a 24 per cent increase since December 2024. In the capital, 45 per cent of health facilities were closed or destroyed, with only 36 per cent fully functional. OHCHR documented 60 cases of child victims of killings and injuries, and at least 12 kidnapped. Facilities to assist minors were expanded, while BINUH, OHCHR and partners supported judicial action, reintegration and awareness-raising initiatives, including the training of 236 adolescent girls as community mentors. VIII. Basic social service delivery and resilience Humanitarian needs and access to basic services 59. As at the end of July 2025, the number of sites hosting internally displaced persons had increased from 246 to 272, sheltering nearly 210,000 people. While 65 per cent of sites are in the Centre and Artibonite Departments, most displaced persons remain concentrated in the capital. A government relocation programme led to only a modest 2.4 per cent reduction in internally displaced persons. Living conditions across sites remain dire, characterized by insecurity, lack of essential services and severe deprivation, with women, children and persons with disabilities exposed to heightened protection risks. 60. As at the end of August, IOM estimated that there were 1,287,593 internally displaced persons and 27,287 migrants forcibly returned to Haiti. The widespread use of schools as displacement sites remains a serious concern: by mid-2025, 102 of 272 sites, or nearly 38 per cent, were schools, severely limiting education and damaging infrastructure. In July and August, the National Office for Migration began relocating families from three schools in Port-au-Prince, but closing schools as shelters remains critical to restoring education access and ensuring child protection. 61. Cholera remains a public health threat. Since January, more than 2,500 suspected and 91 confirmed cases have been reported, including in sites for internally displaced persons. Although suspected cases have declined nationally, risks persist due to poor water quality, sanitation and displacement. The Ministry of Public Health, with support from the Pan American Health Organization, the World Health Organization and donors, has scaled up cholera responses in 66 high-risk sites in the capital region, deploying rapid response teams and pre-positioning supplies with strong community engagement. In the capital, 45 per cent of inpatient health facilities are closed or have been destroyed and only 36 per cent are fully functional. 62. Humanitarian partners continue to scale up life-saving support. Some 1.8 million people received some form of humanitarian assistance between January and June. To enhance water and sanitation services, UNOPS delivered 42 vehicles 12/17 25-15804 S/2025/641 and 134 motorcycles to the National Directorate for Drinking Water and Sanitation, for deployment in remote areas. 63. About 1.5 million people received food aid, 130 million litres of water were delivered, and 80,000 internally displaced persons received shelter kits. Rental subsidies supported 6,000 individuals, while 250,000 children were screened for malnutrition, with over 26,000 treated for severe acute cases. More than 1,000 women and girls at risk of gender-based violence accessed temporary shelters and psychosocial support. In parallel, resilience-building advanced. UNOPS completed the road maintenance centre in Saint-Michel de l’Attalaye to improve rural connectivity, while in northern Haiti, community works included a culvert and 100 m of drainage canal to strengthen flood protection. 64. From 27 to 29 August, UNICEF led a training session for 32 front-line workers (social workers, psychologists, protection officers, etc.) with the aim of strengthening their technical expertise and in-depth understanding of gender-based violence, child protection case management and monitoring and reporting mechanism and the response capacity in accordance with the fundamental principles of safety, confidentiality, non-discrimination and informed consent. With practical tools and updated knowledge, participants enhanced the capacity to ensure effective and respectful referral of survivors to appropriate gender-based violence services and ensure more timely and effective responses to protection cases. IX. Operating environment 65. Insecurity has constrained freedom of movement within Port-au-Prince and key supply corridors, limiting staff mobility, humanitarian access and logistics support. Local procurement capacity remained negligible due to insecurity and economic contraction, forcing reliance on regional and international sourcing at higher cost and longer lead times. Despite the hostile conditions and the reduced international personnel footprint, the mission’s efforts were able to ensure mandate delivery as staff rotated in a manner that allowed for implementation of work programmes through direct in-person presence and online consultations with counterparts on the ground. 66. As a result of increased United Nations Humanitarian Air Service airlift efficiencies achieved through the establishment of a second air bridge in Jacmel (South-East Department), the mission’s footprint was increased from 17 to 20 international personnel on rotation, which, together with the regular deployment of all security and technical personnel and national staff, allowed the mission to achieve a 60 per cent presence on the ground by August. A further effort by the Service to provide refuelling capacity at the Jacmel air bridge further enhanced airlift capacity in September, doubling the mission’s international footprint to 40 international personnel and bringing the BINUH presence on the ground to 70 per cent. Further efforts were under way for supplementary security protocols, standby commercial contracts, reimbursable agreements with Member States and United Nations entities with air assets in the region for a full return of all international personnel on regular deployment in the coming months and achieving a 100 per cent international mission staff presence in Port-au-Prince. 67. BINUH concluded a mission concept review to prioritize its good offices and political support, security coordination and human rights monitoring, while also deferring other activities, to achieve additional efficiencies in mandate delivery. 25-15804 13/17 S/2025/641 X. Observations 68. Critical decisions will be required by national authorities and stakeholders in the coming months in the lead-up to the 7 February 2026 deadline for the restoration of democratic institutions. Haiti cannot afford a political vacuum. Sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial to addressing stakeholder concerns over the path to elections and forging a renewed consensus to take further steps towards the restoration of democratic institutions. I urge the Haitian authorities to ensure that their commitment to creating the necessary conditions for elections is translated into action. I also encourage all stakeholders to come together and engage in constructive and inclusive dialogue on ways to ensure institutional stability, expedite the political transition and support common efforts to improve security by combating gang violence and impunity. 69. Despite intensified efforts by the Haitian National Police, supported by the Multinational Security Support Mission, Haiti continues to face worsening insecurity and the expanding influence of gangs. Armed violence continues to pose a threat to the current transition, and it remains clear that sustainable advancement on the political and electoral front cannot be fully achieved without significant improvement in the security situation. Consequently, national security arrangements, with international support, have not resulted in significant improvement to safety and security, most critically for the population, which continues to be adv