(2025) Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti (E/2025/59)

United Nations E/2025/59 Economic and Social Council Distr.: General 25 April 2025 Original: English 25-06541 (E) 160525 *2506541* 2025 session 25 July 2024–30 July 2025 Agenda item 13 (e) Coordination, programme and other questions: long-term programme of support for Haiti Report of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti Summary The present report is submitted pursuant to Economic and Social Council resolution 2024/20, by which the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti was requested to submit a report on its work, with recommendations to the Council for its consideration at its 2025 session. The report covers the activities carried out by the Group from April 2024 to March 2025, including meetings with national authorities and representatives of civil society, the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti, the United Nations country team, regional organizations and international financial institutions. The Group notes with concern the narrowing window to deliver results before the multifaceted crisis in Haiti deepens and calls for a comprehensive approach to addressing the complex challenges facing the country. In this regard, the Group underscores the importance of coordination and coherence among partners and the meaningful engagement of Haitians in all efforts to promote security, stability and prosperity in Haiti. E/2025/59 25-06541 2/17 I. Introduction 1. The Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti was created in 1999 by the Economic and Social Council (resolution 1999/4) and was reactivated in 2004 (decision 2004/322). It is composed of the Permanent Representatives of Argentina, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Italy, Jamaica, Kenya, Mexico, Peru, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Spain, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, the United States of America and Uruguay to the United Nations. Five new members joined the Group: the Permanent Representatives of Germany and Guatemala to the United Nations on 23 July 2024 (Council decision 2024/222 A and B) and the Permanent Representatives of Costa Rica, Italy and Suriname to the United Nations on 16 December 2024 (Council decision 2025/210). Since November 2004, the Group has been chaired by the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations. 2. In its resolution 2024/20, the Council decided to extend the mandate of the Group until the conclusion of the 2025 session, with the purpose of following closely and working together with Haitian authorities on the long-term development strategy of Haiti to promote socioeconomic recovery, reconstruction and institutional stability, with particular attention to the need to ensure coherence and sustainability in international support for Haiti, based on the long-term national development priorities of Haiti, and stressing the need to avoid overlap and duplication with respect to existing mechanisms. The Council requested that the Group submit a report on its work for the Council’s consideration at its 2025 session. 3. The present report, which covers the period from April 2024 to March 2025, contains the main findings and recommendations of the Group following its meetings, both hybrid and in-person, with Haitian authorities and various stakeholders, including representatives of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), the United Nations country team in Haiti, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank Group, the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the Organization of American States (OAS). Given the security situation in Haiti during the reporting period, the Group did not conduct a visit to Haiti, however, the Chair was able to visit Port-au-Prince from 26 to 28 August 2024. The annex to the present report contains a list of the activities undertaken by the Group and its interlocutors during the reporting period. II. Current Haitian context A. Political and security situation 4. Haiti continues to experience a complex and multifaceted crisis that encompasses security, human rights, development and humanitarian challenges. The expansion of armed gangs in Haiti has led to a severe security crisis and a high level of violence, including sexual violence, human rights violations, killings, kidnappings and forced displacements. According to BINUH, over 5,626 people were killed in 2024, while 2,213 people were injured and 1,494 were kidnapped, amid continuing high levels of violence. 1 5. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the Panel of Experts on Haiti, arms trafficking and procurement of large-calibre weapons by the __________________ 1 See https://binuh.unmissions.org/sites/default/files/human_rights_quarterly_report_- _october-december_2024_-_en.pdf. E/2025/59 3/17 25-06541 gangs continue despite the strengthening of the arms embargo. As a result, the levels of armed violence are increasing and the security environment in which the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support Mission are operating is becoming more challenging (see S/2024/704). 6. On the political side, the Transitional Presidential Council and the Transitional Government are working together to address growing insecurity and advance the necessary political process towards the holding of elections. In December 2024, the Transitional Presidential Council finalized the composition of the Provisional Electoral Council. The Group was informed of the Transitional Government’s three main priorities, which are security, constitutional and institutional reforms, and also about the elections that would be held in line with the government decree of 12 April 2023. 7. The Group encourages the Haitian authorities to continue its efforts and underscores the importance of broadening the participation of women, young people and other marginalized groups in decision-making processes to further strengthen the inclusive nature of the governance arrangements. The Group appreciates the continued engagement of the Caribbean Community in support of the political transition in Haiti. 8. During its visit to Washington, D.C., in February 2025, the Group was informed by an OAS official about the efforts of OAS to support Haiti in strengthening security, governance and institutional stability and received an update on the electoral landscape and ongoing consultations by the Haitian Minister Delegate for Electoral and Constitutional Issues. Haitian authorities are planning to hold a referendum on constitutional reform in May 2025 and elections in November 2025. The Provisional Electoral Council, with the support of international partners, is exploring multiple scenarios and ways to raise awareness and educate people, in particular young people, about constitutional reform and the election process. The Group underscores the importance of political unity and encourages Haitian stakeholders to implement the transitional governance arrangements, pave the way for credible, free, fair and transparent elections and tackle corruption. 9. The Group welcomes the efforts of BINUH, which continues to use its good offices to support State authorities and political and civil society leaders in their efforts to advance the political and electoral processes. BINUH is currently working with OAS, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services and the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN-Women) to support the country’s efforts on the electoral process. 10. During the reporting period, the Security Council extended the mandate of the Multinational Security Support Mission for another year, until 2 October 2025, through its resolution 2751 (2024). The Multinational Security Support Mission, which includes personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, The Bahamas, Guatemala and El Salvador, is aimed at supporting the efforts of the Haitian National Police in restoring stability and creating the security conditions necessary for free and fair elections. In response to the request by the Security Council in a letter dated 29 November 2024 (S/2024/868), the Secretary-General shared his strategic-level recommendations with a full range of options for the possible role that the United Nations could play, considering lessons learned from past missions, political developments and the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti in a letter dated 24 February 2025 to the Security Council (S/2025/122). 11. During the Group’s meeting with the leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission and its support office in February 2025, it was informed of their efforts to support the Haitian National Police in securing critical areas, including the main roads in Port-au-Prince and the airport, and providing training and capacity- building. While welcoming these efforts and the Mission’s transition from the E/2025/59 25-06541 4/17 deployment to the operational phase in early 2025, the Group remains concerned about the challenges facing the Mission, including the lack of equipment and resources, rigidity of contracts and lack of capacity to accommodate more than 1,000 personnel. The Group reiterates its call for urgent support to provide the necessary financial, logistical and coordinated assistance for the full deployment of the Mission in Haiti. 12. On 23 September 2024, the Chair convened a high-level meeting of the Group during the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly to address the political and security challenges and humanitarian and development needs in Haiti. The international community was urged to provide immediate coordinated support to enhance security, strengthen the country’s institutions and promote sustainable development through Haitian-led and Haitian-owned solutions. All stakeholders participating in the meeting emphasized the urgent need to address the root causes of insecurity in the country and to establish long-lasting security for the Haitian population. B. Escalating humanitarian crisis 13. The humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues to worsen. The Group is very concerned about the fact that only 44 per cent of the $673.8 million needed to meet the population’s urgent humanitarian and protection needs was funded in 2024, reaching only 1.9 million of the 3.6 million people targeted by the appeal. 2 In February 2025, the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti was launched to address acute needs caused by recent shocks, including armed violence, forced displacement, epidemics and the consequences of natural disasters. For 2025, the main humanitarian needs experienced by the population of Haiti are food security (5.5 million people); healthcare (4.2 million people); water, sanitation and hygiene (3.8 million people); shelter and non-food items (3.6 million people); and global protection (2.2 million people). As at 21 March 2025, only 5.1 per cent of the country’s $908.2 million funding requirement had been met. 3 14. Food insecurity remains a dire concern: as at February 2025, 5.5 million people were facing acute levels of food insecurity and some 289,000 children were suffering from acute malnutrition. 4 According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification figures, 5 in the period from August 2024 to February 2025, Haiti was facing a humanitarian crisis, where nearly half of the population (48 per cent) was facing high levels of acute food insecurity (phase 3 or above), with 2 million people living in emergency situations (phase 4). The Group has continued to advocate the provision of increased support to promote food security in Haiti, including by amplifying the work of its informal working group on supporting Haiti to meet the needs of crisis-affected populations and to build a more productive and resilient food system (see the subsection below on food security for details). 15. As at January 2025, violence had displaced over 1 million people in Haiti, with many experiencing multiple displacements and children making up more than half of the displaced population. 6 In early March 2025, an additional 60,000 people were __________________ 2 See https://humanitarianaction.info/plan/1178/population. 3 United Nations, Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, “Besoins humanitaires et plan de réponse Haïti”, 9 February 2025; and United Nations, Financial Tracking Service database, available at https://fts.unocha.org/plans/1257/summary. 4 See https://reliefweb.int/report/haiti/haiti-humanitarian-needs-and-response-plan-executive- summary-february-2025-enht. 5 See www.ipcinfo.org/ipc-country-analysis/details-map/en/c/1157971/?iso3=HTI. 6 See www.iom.int/news/violence-triggers-record-displacements-port-au-prince-over-60000- people-month. E/2025/59 5/17 25-06541 displaced due to increased violence. More than half of the internally displaced persons are women and girls. During his visit to Port-au-Prince, the Chair of the Group witnessed the severity of the humanitarian situation during a visit to a school in a neighbourhood that has experienced significant gang violence. The United Nations, the International Organization for Migration and humanitarian partners are providing integrated assistance to internally displaced persons, including water, food, shelter, sanitation, health services, cash assistance and programming for children. Women in sites for internally displaced persons are particularly vulnerable to sexual and gender- based violence. Women-led Haitian organizations have been at the forefront of the response to the displacement crisis by supporting internally displaced persons, assisting survivors, expanding access to sexual and reproductive health services and providing mental health and psychosocial services. Community stabilization efforts, including projects to address public lighting, canal cleaning, water and sanitation and school rehabilitation, were also under way. However, more support is needed. 16. The Group was informed of the latest developments with respect to the deportation of Haitians and the country’s lack of capacity and resources to receive and accommodate thousands of additional deportees. 17. Humanitarian access remains a major challenge in Port-au-Prince due to gang control and checkpoints. The Group notes with concern the funding gap for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service in Haiti, which is jeopardizing the delivery of aid and personnel. The Group urges the international community to immediately provide the necessary funding to support humanitarian response efforts and thereby ensure that the most vulnerable Haitians receive the assistance that they need. The Group underscores the importance of increasing flexible funding for humanitarian operations, particularly those focused on the provision of food and education and access to healthcare. Security and stabilization need to be prioritized to achieve progress on the humanitarian front and deliver effective aid. Protection and humanitarian needs of Haitian children and young people 18. The crisis in Haiti has had a disproportionate impact on children and young people. Armed gangs regularly commit grave rights violations against children and young people, including killings, recruitment and sexual violence. These abuses continue with impunity. According to the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), more than 1.3 million children are affected by violence perpetrated by armed groups in Haiti. Children are actively being recruited and used by these groups; up to 50 per cent of the members in some groups are children. They are being abducted, enticed by promises of cash or protection or threatened with consequences for their families. In 2025, there has been a staggering 1,000 per cent increase in sexual violence against children. 19. Haitian children continue to suffer from a lack of basic services, such as water, sanitation and healthcare. The education system has been severely affected and the closures and irregular operations of schools are, in turn, affecting children’s ability to learn. As at October 2024, ongoing insecurity had led to disruptions in education for around 1.4 million students and teachers. Furthermore, financial constraints prevent many children from enrolling in schools as, for private primary schools, which constitute 80 per cent of the primary education system, parents must pay an average of $140 per year. 20. Building on the work of the Group, the President of the Economic and Social Council convened a special meeting on the theme “Haiti’s children cannot wait: supporting stability, resilience and prosperity in Haiti” on 2 December 2024 to underscore the urgency of the situation in Haiti and to mobilize immediate action to address the critical protection and humanitarian needs of Haitians, particularly E/2025/59 25-06541 6/17 children and young people. During the special meeting, the President issued a call to action 7 to mobilize efforts to support stability, resilience and prosperity in Haiti. In the call to action, the President urged the international community to enhance its support for the children and young people of Haiti, building on progress made in both the political and security spheres. He particularly emphasized the need to provide children and young people with education, including school meals, healthcare and protection from violence and threats of gang recruitment and also to create economic opportunities for Haitian young people. 21. It is crucial for partners supporting child protection in Haiti to harmonize and align their efforts with the National Child Protection Strategy, which is a five-year multisectoral plan. The Group calls upon the Haitian National Police and the Multinational Security Support Mission to prioritize the safety and protection of all children, including those previously recruited by armed groups. Furthermore, there is a need to establish safe reintegration protocols for children associated with armed gangs, provide shelter and expand child protection mechanisms to facilitate recovery and productive opportunities. In this regard, the Group welcomes the efforts of UNICEF to reintegrate children associated with armed groups, which have included providing education and psychosocial support. Together with the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, UNICEF is co-hosting workshops on preventing the recruitment of children into armed gangs, one goal of which is to develop a comprehensive plan for the demobilization and reintegration of children. 22. The Group calls for urgent international support to reopen schools, provide safe learning spaces and invest in education as a key part of recovery and stabilization. Programmes such as cash transfers, school rehabilitation and emergency nutrition support have demonstrated the positive impact of targeted interventions. Preventing child recruitment into gangs by offering alternative education and social services is crucial. Local initiatives by civil society actors focused on socioeducational clubs, support and leadership training for children and women. The Group emphasizes the importance of engaging young people in decision-making and developing education programmes, including technical and vocational training, to equip them with necessary skills and build their resilience. Ensuring children’s access to education is key for the development of long-term peace and stability in Haiti. C. Sustainable development 1. Economic outlook 23. According to the World Bank, the economy of Haiti contracted for five consecutive years: by 1.7 per cent in 2019, 3.3 per cent in 2020, 1.8 per cent in 2021, 1.7 per cent in 2022 and 1.9 per cent in 2023. 8 It is projected to contract by 4.2 per cent in 2024. Furthermore, the World Bank estimates that the proportion of people living on less than $2.15 per day (i.e. below the international poverty line) increased to 36.4 per cent in 2024, with rural areas significantly poorer than urban areas. 24. The Group took note of the observations of IMF regarding the macroeconomic framework, which has remained stable due to the commitment of the Haitian authorities. Monetary financing of the budget has declined to zero during consecutive staff-monitored programmes and the exchange rate has remained stable, while net __________________ 7 See https://ecosoc.un.org/sites/default/files/2024-12/English-ECOSOC_SM_Haiti_Call_to_ Action.pdf. 8 World Bank, “GDP growth (annual %) – Haiti”, World Bank database. Available at https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?end=2023&locations=HT&start=2 014&view=chart. E/2025/59 7/17 25-06541 international reserves have risen to over $1 billion. According to IMF, negative growth has been driven by disruptions in production, exports and the flow of goods and services in local markets. Inflationary pressures have also increased due to supply-side shocks caused by the security crisis. 25. The interlocutors noted the uncertain economic outlook for Haiti. Tax revenues have struggled to recover, showing improvement only recently, and trade has declined in recent years, although there has been a modest rebound of late. While growth in revenues increased in December 2024, it remained negative in real terms when adjusted for inflation. There is concern that tax revenues remain low relative to those of other low-income countries, and government spending has been declining as a share of output. According to a joint analysis by the World Bank and IMF, despite a low level of public debt, the country is at high risk of external and overall debt distress, owing to its significant development needs and a large investment gap. 26. The Group applauds the commitment of the Haitian authorities to achieving the targets and benchmarks set under staff-monitored programmes. 9 These include quantitative targets for Haiti that are designed to incentivize progress towards benchmarks (in relation to levels of reserves, revenue, social spending and governance measures) as a condition for access to financing. 27. The interlocutors underscored the need to increase aid flows and foreign direct investment in order to boost economic growth. They also highlighted the importance of reducing the country’s reliance on remittances and strengthening customs capacity for revenue collection. Maintaining a strong macroeconomic framework remains critical in order to foster an environment that is conducive to investment. Concerns were raised about the impact of insecurity and the suspension of cruise activities on the tourism sector, as well as weakened public institutions due to talent loss and instability. 28. The Group applauds the resilience of several Haitian institutions. For example, the disaster risk management agency has been working effectively, building shelters and establishing early warning systems. Other institutions in the fields of transportation, social protection and health have also been effective, while the energy sector, including local utilities, has faced challenges. The Group was also informed of the support provided by the World Bank, in collaboration with IDB and the Caribbean Development Bank, for microgrids to supply energy to hospitals and schools. 2. Food security 29. Despite its considerable agricultural potential, Haiti faces one of the highest levels of food insecurity in the world due to structural vulnerabilities and insecurity. The working group on supporting Haiti to meet the needs of crisis-affected populations and to build a more productive and resilient food system, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, has been exploring ways to mobilize non-traditional donors to support food security efforts in Haiti. To that end, the working group has focused on the links between food security and climate action and has explored United Nations system initiatives that relate to the interlinkages between climate action, food security and peacebuilding in Haiti. An analysis was prepared in order to provide an overview of existing United Nations system initiatives, as well as information on beneficiaries, implementers, funding mechanisms and funding gaps. A meeting with the United Nations Foundation was held on 14 May 2024 to exchange views on the complex challenges facing Haiti, __________________ 9 See www.imf.org/en/Publications/CR/Issues/2025/01/24/Haiti-Staff-Monitored-Program-Press- Release-and-Staff-Report-561189. E/2025/59 25-06541 8/17 particularly in the areas of security, political instability, humanitarian aid and long- term development, and to explore ways to mobilize attention and support. 30. The working group also focused on addressing the root causes of instability through reforestation to enhance food security. Various interlocutors highlighted the way in which deforestation in Haiti has contributed to soil erosion, flooding, increased vulnerability to natural disasters, biodiversity loss and reduced agricultural productivity. Reliance on wood-based fuels, particularly charcoal, has worsened environmental degradation and economic challenges. The Group is of the view that current practices must change in order to stop deforestation and reduce the country’s vulnerability to natural disasters. 31. The interlocutors highlighted the importance of a nexus approach that connects humanitarian action, development and peacebuilding efforts. The Peace Forest Initiative launched under the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa, was cited as a prime example of such an approach, given its focus on restoring peace, trust and nature. 32. Integrating reforestation with school feeding programmes can serve as a key strategy, in that it links environmental restoration with food security and education. Reforestation with indigenous species, such as breadfruit trees, can enhance resilience, provide resources for school feeding programmes and foster social cohesion. In addition, cultivating high-value crops, such as cacao and breadfruit, can boost the local economy and support sustainable livelihoods. 33. The Group’s interlocutors noted that sustainable reforestation in Haiti requires a focus on education to change behaviour, accessible alternative energy sources, income generation opportunities and addressing economic interests. A comprehensive reforestation strategy should align with the priorities of the Government and be designed to build long-term capacities at the institutional level, including within the Ministry of Agriculture and local governments. Such an approach would change the narrative, mobilize support and address the root causes of instability. 34. The working group engaged with United Nations system entities to discuss existing initiatives with a view to identifying entry points to support Haitian efforts on reforestation. The initiatives in question address various dimensions of reforestation, either directly or indirectly, as well as food security. The World Food Programme, for example, provides conditional cash assistance to the food-insecure households that are most affected by climate-related shocks and also helps communities to identify and restore local environments, including through reforestation. The working group also plans to identify Member States that could support such initiatives through financial and technical assistance. 35. In its engagement with the Adaptation Fund in February 2025, the Group was informed of a project on adaptation and disaster risk reduction mitigation at school facilities in Haiti, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization and the Ministry of Environment as implementing partners. At the time of reporting, additional funding was on offer to the country through the Adaptation Fund, including the $10 million remaining in the country cap and funding opportunities under other windows. The working group is exploring opportunities to secure funding from the Adaptation Fund and other sources for reforestation efforts in Haiti. 3. Health sector 36. The health system in Haiti is in crisis, and immediate action is necessary to avoid further preventable deaths. Only 43 per cent of health facilities in Port-au-Prince are E/2025/59 9/17 25-06541 fully operational. According to the interlocutors, timely interventions could save at least 57,000 lives while ensuring better access to healthcare for those in need. However, a lack of funding, attacks on health infrastructure, brain drain and high out- of-pocket expenditure (51 per cent) remain significant barriers. The governance of the health sector in Haiti is marked by structural and institutional weaknesses. The country faces a deep and chronic deficit with respect to the financing of the public health service (1.1 per cent of gross domestic product is allocated to public spending on health). 37. Despite significant challenges, PAHO has made progress in key areas of public health. Immunization efforts have reached hundreds of thousands of children and pregnant women. Its efforts in infectious disease control have been crucial, with over 800 women receiving ongoing treatment at Hôpital Universitaire la Paix and ongoing surveillance of and response to cholera. In addition, PAHO has supported internally displaced persons in Port-au-Prince by intensifying water, sanitation and hygiene activities. For example, it has distributed water chlorination tablets and installed handwashing stations to prevent waterborne diseases. 38. The Group was informed of the growing mental health crisis in Haiti, which has the fifth highest suicide rate in the region (10 per 100,000 people). Calls to psychological support helplines have increased from 120 to 270 per month and demand for in-person psychosocial support for women who are victims and survivors of violence has risen from 21 to 121 requests per month. In view of these figures, the Group is calling for support for enhanced mental health services and greater access to psychological care. 39. Haiti is grappling with the rise of noncommunicable diseases, which now account for 65 per cent of all deaths in the country. One in three Haitians is at risk of dying from a noncommunicable disease before the age of 70. Diabetes is also a growing concern. Approximately 4,000 children with type 1 diabetes urgently need insulin to survive, yet ongoing airport closures and escalating violence in Port-au- Prince have exacerbated insulin shortages. 40. The Group is concerned that disruptions affecting access to essential medical supplies have placed thousands of lives at risk, further underscoring the need for urgent international intervention. In addition to medicine shortages, the health sector is facing a blood supply shortage. The health situation at sites for internally displaced persons is concerning, and there are pockets of food insecurity. The risk of cholera outbreaks remains high, and the situation could further deteriorate without proper funding. The Group is calling for continued coordination and collaboration with the Ministry of Public Health and Population with respect to health-related efforts and wishes to underscore the need for more predictable funding for the fragile health sector so as to ensure the health and well-being of Haitians. D. Human rights, rule of law and administration of justice 41. The Group is deeply concerned about ongoing human rights violations by gangs, including murder, assault, kidnapping, child recruitment and systematic sexual and gender-based violence, which continue with impunity. The independent expert on the situation of human rights in Haiti shared his observations with the Group from his visit to Haiti in 2024, describing a worsening situation characterized by escalating violence, kidnappings and sexual assaults. Gang activities aimed at controlling strategic areas are affecting economic activity and worsening humanitarian conditions. 42. The Group notes with concern the insufficient implementation of the arms embargo and the poorly controlled borders. The joint meeting of the General Assembly E/2025/59 25-06541 10/17 and the Economic and Social Council on small arms and light weapons, held in March 2025, provided an opportunity to bring attention to the illicit flow of weapons into Haiti and to the gang violence such weapons facilitate. The Chair of the Group called upon Governments to work together to stop the illicit flow of arms and address organized crime, which have political and social implications for the country. 43. The Group was informed of the obstacles faced by the justice system in Haiti. These included a lack of resources, repeated strikes among judiciary actors and the impact of insecurity on magistrates and lawyers. In 2024, with the support of the international community, the judicial authorities committed to establishing specialized courts to combat corruption and hold those involved in mass crimes and sexual violence accountable. During the special meeting of the Economic and Social Council on Haiti in December 2024, participants stressed the need for international cooperation to support reforms in the security and justice sectors and to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable. 44. The working group on supporting Haiti to strengthen the capacity and accountability of its public institutions, including the security and justice sectors, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations since December 2024, focused on juvenile justice in Haiti, building on earlier discussions. The Group welcomed the ongoing collaboration between the Government and the United Nations system. It also welcomed the update to the national framework in February 2025, the purpose of which was to establish clear guidelines for the protection and reintegration of children associated with armed gangs, and reinforce mechanisms to ensure that children who had been separated from their families were treated as victims rather than criminals. 45. At meetings prior to the meeting on the juvenile justice system, the working group had focused on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration, community violence reduction and weapons and ammunition management, emphasizing lessons learned and good practices. The expansion of gangs into rural areas was a major concern. The Group was informed about the Haitian interministerial taskforce on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and community violence reduction, which was finalizing an action plan to implement the national strategy on those matters. The interlocutors noted the significant reduction in the number of projects related to community violence reduction in Haiti, from 225 such projects conducted by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti between 2011 and 2015, to 45 conducted by over 17 institutions as of March 2023. 46. The Group is calling for a comprehensive anti-gang strategy. During a meeting of working group 1, it was suggested that a workshop could be held on disarmament, demobilization and reintegration and negotiation, mediation and facilitation of dialogue. The workshop would bring together representatives of the Government of Haiti, the leaders of the Multinational Security Support Mission and experts to delve deeper into these issues. It would be important to engage international financial institutions in these efforts. 47. The Group welcomes the governance diagnostic report published by IMF in January 2025, which includes an action plan with seven priority recommendations relating to governance and measures to combat corruption. The main recommendations include establishing a robust anti-corruption mechanism for major cases, focusing on corruption abroad, money-laundering and legal frameworks, and reducing illegal activities in customs and tax agencies. In addition, IMF suggests working with international partners on foreign assistance management, mandating ex ante evaluations for internally financed projects, creating guides for public financial management and strengthening the role of the Bank of the Republic of Haiti as an independent banking supervisor. E/2025/59 11/17 25-06541 III. Coordinated and coherent international support for sustainable development 48. Official development assistance to Haiti increased from $899.49 million in 2022 to $1,038.84 million in 2023. 10 According to the latest figures for United Nations operational activities for development, funding for United Nations activities in Haiti in 2023 amounted to $415 million on development and humanitarian activities (36 per cent spent on development-related activities and 64 per cent spent on humanitarian activities), up from $297 million in 2022. 49. The Group welcomes the efforts of the United Nations country team and the humanitarian country team in Haiti, which have been mobilized, together with BINUH, to support the national authorities in delivering on key priorities. The United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Haiti for the period 2023–2027 is considered key to shift the needle to connect the humanitarian response with a development response. The fact that the United Nations system has been able to maintain a large share of programmes in the regions outside the capital will provide a foundation to accelerate development efforts. The Cooperation Framework is focused on priority areas, including governance, security and the rule of law, inclusive economic transformation, social services, and the environment. The interlocutors noted that bringing the State back into abandoned neighbourhoods must be a priority with the return of security. 50. During the Group’s visit to Washington, D.C., IMF presented three pillars of its engagement in Haiti, which included: an assessment of the outlook; an update on its staff-monitored programme; and information on capacity development efforts, including governance diagnostics. While there is currently no financial assistance to Haiti, IMF provided financial assistance in the form of unearmarked balance-of-payments support equivalent to $470 million from 2019 to 2023. That included $112 million under the Rapid Credit Facility and $23 million under the Catastrophe Containment and Relief Trust in 2020, $224 million in an allocation of special drawing rights in 2021 and $110 million under the Food Shock Window of the Rapid Credit Facility in 2023. 51. The World Bank continued its programme to support Haiti, including on social protection and support to farmers, in areas where the security situation is better. Haiti has become one of the hardest countries to operate in, due to evacuations of World Bank staff. In terms of its disbursement ($180 million for the fiscal year), the World Bank has had some success in terms of financing and results. Under the new country partnership framework for Haiti for the period 2025–2029, endorsed by the Board of Executive Directors of the World Bank Group on 4 March 2025, the priorities are governance, sustaining essential public services and resuming growth. 11 Under the new strategy, approximately $320 million in grant financing will be made available with the aim of building resilience among the most vulnerable people in Haiti. In addition, a $60 million grant was approved for the Haiti Strengthening Public Financial Management Project to strengthen government capacity and transparency in public revenue mobilization and financial management. 52. Most of the projects of IDB (around 80 per cent) were in the north and the south in different sectors, such as agriculture, education, social sectors and infrastructure. It had few projects in the capital, and those that were in place had a focus on social issues and cash transfers. One of the priorities of IDB is employment generation. The __________________ 10 Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “DAC2A: aid (ODA) disbursements to countries and regions”, OECD Data Explorer. Available at https://stats.oecd.org/ Index.aspx?datasetcode=TABLE2A. 11 See www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2025/03/04/world-bank-announces-new- strategy-for-haiti. E/2025/59 25-06541 12/17 number of people employed in the Caracol industrial park has fallen from 15,000 to 3,000. IDB is working with the Government to reinvigorate employment in the industrial park and called upon international partners to increase support in this area. It was noted that the IDB engagement note (equivalent to a country strategy) is valid until December 2026 and has a focus on bolstering economic growth, access to basic services and human capital, and institutional capacity and rule of law. The IDB portfolio included $1.3 billion across 22 operations. Similar to the World Bank, IDB has seen an increase in disbursements in Haiti since 2023 ($124 million in 2024) despite the situation. Key areas of IDB engagement include $46 million for education, young people and social sectors, with $85 million for education and health, and $45 million for youth inclusion, training and start-ups in 2025. 53. The interlocutors highlighted the potential of Haitian young people and their demand for digital skills and entrepreneurship. Regarding the role of the diaspora, reference was made to the World Bank initiatives around the world involving the diaspora, as well as the facilitation of investment by the International Finance Corporation as a potential entry point for diaspora investment. Training of officials and developing capacity to overcome the bottlenecks in the public sector need to be a priority. Many young civil servants could be trained to that end. 54. In late 2024, the Government of Haiti, with the support of the European Union, the Inter-American Development Bank, the World Bank and the United Nations, finalized the Haiti Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment. 12 The report on the Assessment includes the immediate stabilization and recovery priorities for the next two years, which are designed to complement efforts related to the security and political situation. The geographical scope of the Assessment was limited to the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area. The analysis and financial planning have been broken down to the subregional level to allow a modular approach to the roll-out. The Assessment identified the need for economic support for economic diversification, and institutional reforms to strengthen economic governance; rehabilitation of economic and social infrastructure and reduction in vulnerability to natural and climate shocks; promotion of access to healthcare, education and other basic services, social inclusion and food security; and the rule of law, public security and institutional reforms. In the report, it indicates that investment of approximately $1.34 billion is needed from 2024 to 2026, with around 34 per cent needed for infrastructure, 29 per cent for security and the rule of law, 29 per cent for social protection and basic services, and 9 per cent for economic recovery and governance. 55. The interlocutors consider the Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment to be an important complement to security efforts. It is aimed at quickly improving infrastructure and services for people, promoting stability and creating the peace dividend in the capital as the Multinational Security Support Mission moves into full deployment phase. A donor round table on the Assessment is envisioned during the 2025 Spring meetings of the World Bank and IMF, which will have the following objectives: to secure the commitment of international partners to support investments in development; capitalize the investment plan; and develop a framework for coordinating the Government and development partners on investment priorities. The Group was called to sensitize partners to ensure a successful round-table outcome for the Assessment. 56. The Group appreciates the strong coordination among the international financial institutions and the United Nations system, and the way that the Assessment has enhanced their collaboration with the Government. The Group was also informed that, in addition to weekly meetings among international financial institutions and donors, there were sector table meetings with Haitian authorities and the donor community to __________________ 12 See https://budget.gouv.ht/storage/app/uploads/public/676/693/84b/67669384b5f3e312648326.pdf. E/2025/59 13/17 25-06541 coordinate efforts. Every institution was contributing with their comparative advantage, with the Government leading the exercise. The United Nations in Haiti underscored their ongoing partnerships with local institutions and continued to promote government leadership in donor coordination. The Government has also requested that a long-term plan for Haiti be prepared with international financial institutions and the European Union to identify the investment needs for the rest of the country. IV. Conclusions and recommendations 57. Throughout the reporting period, the Group issued a range of recommendations underscoring the urgent need to restore security in order to help to alleviate the suffering of Haitians, promote sustainable development and help humanitarian organizations and development partners to successfully deliver much-needed assistance. 58. Noting the narrowing window to deliver results before the multifaceted crisis in Haiti deepens, the Group underscores the importance of comprehensive approaches. The Group reiterates that security measures should be complemented by a comprehensive, sustainable and well-funded long-term strategy to address the drivers of violence, such as political instability, economic and social inequalities, extreme poverty, high unemployment, human rights violations, impunity, corruption and weak public institutions. Such a comprehensive and sustainable long-term strategy must be Haitian-led and Haitian-owned. 59. Coordination and coherence among partners and the meaningful engagement of Haitians remain essential. Strengthening global and regional partnerships and deepening North-South, South-South and triangular cooperation are critical to addressing the country’s complex crises and supporting long-term development in Haiti. 60. The recommendations below are set out for consideration by the Economic and Social Council. 61. The Group encourages the Government of Haiti: (a) To strengthen the necessary capacities to provide security, deliver essential services, especially in health and education, support displaced persons and protect the human rights of all Haitians; (b) To continue efforts towards leading an inclusive government and create the conditions for credible, free and fair elections; (c) To address the root causes of vulnerability and instability, including extreme poverty, corruption, impunity and collusion between political and economic spheres; (d) To strengthen Haitian institutions’ capacity and accountability, including the judicial system and the correctional system, and create space for dialogue and social cohesion in communities; (e) To dismantle gangs, halt the illicit flow of arms and ammunition, reduce community-level violence and ensure that individuals and entities supporting gang violence are sanctioned and brought to justice; (f) To provide essential support for survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, ensuring access to medical care, mental health and psychosocial support and justice; E/2025/59 25-06541 14/17 (g) To develop plans for the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration of gang members and to help to mobilize resources for their implementation; (h) To intensify efforts to protect women and young people, as well as to end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, including by placing the meaningful participation of women and young people at the centre of the country’s transition and recovery; (i) To scale up investment in sustainable development, promote inclusive economic growth and social opportunities, create jobs and strengthen the resilience of Haiti to disasters and climate change; (j) To build resilient food systems to promote food security for all Haitians, by addressing the root causes of hunger, strengthening agriculture and infrastructure, and enhancing self-sufficiency and resilience to future shocks; (k) To develop a comprehensive reforestation strategy, informed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework for Haiti for the period 2023–2027 and the existing multilateral agreements and instruments; (l) To strengthen cooperation with countries in the region to promote and protect the human rights of Haitian migrants. 62. The Group recommends that the international community and other development actors: (a) Provide the necessary funding for the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan for Haiti, as well as the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service in Haiti; (b) Mobilize immediate assistance to help to address the emergency food needs of Haitians, while also providing emergency livelihood assistance to build a more resilient and productive food system; (c) Provide support to the country’s investment plan for operationalizing the Haiti Rapid Crisis Impact Assessment and ensure a coherent approach to the coordination, implementation and financing of priority interventions for 2025– 2026; (d) Provide the necessary financial, logistical and coordinated support for the full deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission; (e) Support the work of BINUH and the United Nations country team to effectively assist Haiti during this critical period; (f) Support Haitian-led efforts to strengthen the rule of law and restore security; (g) Create and support reintegration programmes for vulnerable young people, including access to education, school meals and job opportunities, in order to prevent recruitment of children by gangs; (h) Strengthen the country’s capacities through strategic investments in education and vocational training tailored to market needs to retain talent and prevent a brain drain of skilled workers in key sectors, such as agriculture, health, education, infrastructure development and public administration; (i) Promote durable solutions for internally displaced persons, with a focus on community resilience, reintegration and self-reliance; (j) Support women-led organizations to play a role in the country’s transition and recovery; E/2025/59 15/17 25-06541 (k) Promote regional and international responses to halt the illicit flow of weapons, ammunition, drugs and illicit financing to and from Haiti and its neighbours and ensure that individuals and entities who are supporting armed gangs and fuelling violence in Haiti are sanctioned and brought to justice; (l) Adopt a holistic approach by investing simultaneously in efforts to promote peace and security, humanitarian action and sustainable development. 63. The Group stands in solidarity with the Haitian people, who are showing extraordinary resilience in the face of a protracted and multifaceted crisis. It remains committed to supporting Haiti in its efforts to address its complex challenges and ensure stability and long-term development. 64. The Group expresses its appreciation to the Department of Economic and Social Affairs, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of BINUH, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator) for Haiti and the other members of BINUH and the United Nations country team for their continuous support to its work. E/2025/59 25-06541 16/17 Annex Activities of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti 1. During the reporting period, the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Canada to the United Nations, and its working groups, namely the working group on supporting Haiti to strengthen the capacity and accountability of its public institutions, including the security and justice sectors, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Jamaica to the United Nations, and the working group on supporting Haiti to meet the needs of crisis-affected populations and to build a more productive and resilient food system, chaired by the Permanent Representative of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to the United Nations, continued to follow closely the situation in Haiti and carried out a series of activities, as listed below. 2. In addition to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti and Head of the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) and the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General (Resident Coordinator/Humanitarian Coordinator) for Haiti, the Group met with many interlocutors, including representatives of BINUH and the United Nations country team, as well as representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration, the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Environment Programme, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Children’s Fund, and the United Nations Secretariat. Activity Dates Meetings of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti 24 April 2024, 4 June 2024, 11 July 2024, 14 October 2024, 13 November 2024, 22 January 2025 and 3 March 2025 High-level meeting of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti during the high-level week of the seventy-ninth session of the General Assembly 23 September 2024 Meetings of the working group on supporting Haiti to strengthen the capacity and accountability of its public institutions, including the security and justice sectors 3 May 2024, 22 May 2024, 5 November 2024 and 27 March 2025 Meetings of the working group on supporting Haiti to meet the needs of crisis-affected populations and to build a more productive and resilient food system 4 April 2024, 26 April 2024, 5 May 2024, 4 October 2024, 21 October 2024, 8 November 2024, 17 January 2025 and 6 February 2025 Visit to Haiti by the Chair of the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti 26–28 August 2024 Visit to Washington, D.C., by the Ad Hoc Advisory Group on Haiti 11 and 12 February 2025 E/2025/59 17/17 25-06541 Other engagements: • Statements by the Chair of the Group to the Security Council on 3 July 2024 and 22 January 2025. • Participation by the Chair of the Group in the meeting on the transition from relief to development, held by the Economic and Social Council on 24 June 2024, and the joint meeting of the General Assembly and the Council on small arms and light weapons, held on 17 March 2025. • Participation of the Chair of the working group on supporting Haiti to meet the needs of crisis-affected populations and to build a more productive and resilient food system in the event on the theme “Addressing global food insecurity and famine risk: reinforcing collective impact”, held on 29 April 2024, and the commemorative event on the International Day of Forests on 21 March 2025.