(2025-07) Key Message Update: Uptick of gang violence continues to worsen food insecurity
Summary — Since the March 2025 resurgence of gang violence, food security has deteriorated countrywide, with Crisis (IPC Phase 3) widespread and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in Cité Soleil. Around 2.0-2.5 million people (20-25% of the population) needed food assistance through May 2025; displacement reached ~1.3 million (up 24% since December 2024) as violence spread into Artibonite and Centre. Food inflation held above 31% while humanitarian assistance fell sharply on funding cuts.
Key Findings
- Food security deteriorated countrywide after the March 2025 gang-violence resurgence.
- Crisis (IPC Phase 3) widespread; Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in Cité Soleil.
- ~2.0-2.5M people (20-25%) needed food assistance through May 2025.
- Displacement ~1.3M by June 2025, up 24% on December 2024; violence spread to Artibonite and Centre.
- Food inflation above 31% y/y; humanitarian assistance falling on funding cuts.
Full Description
FEWS NET reports that widespread insecurity from the resurgence of gang violence is driving severe food-security outcomes across Haiti. Following the new wave of violence since March 2025, conditions deteriorated countrywide, especially in the capital, Artibonite and Centre departments, where gangs expanded (Mirebalais, Saut-d'Eau, Lascahobas). Crisis (IPC Phase 3) is widespread with Emergency (IPC Phase 4) in Cité Soleil; the most affected are IDPs in metropolitan sites and very poor households in violence-hit areas. Around 2.0-2.5 million people (20-25% of the population) were projected to need food assistance through May 2025. Displacement reached nearly 1.3 million by June 2025 (up 24% on December 2024); an Artibonite attack (Dessalines/Verrettes, 16 July) displaced ~15,000. Roughly 136,000 Haitians were deported January-June 2025 (98% from the Dominican Republic), adding pressure on host communities. Gang control of National Roads 1 and 2 and illegal tolls fragmented supply chains; downtown Port-au-Prince markets (Croix-des-Bossales) remained dysfunctional. Food inflation stayed above 31% year-on-year in H1 2025, outpacing overall inflation (20-30%). Spring harvests were near normal on favourable March-April rainfall but barely reached the capital; fall prospects were already below normal. Humanitarian and development assistance fell sharply after January 2025 funding cuts, leaving needs growing faster than response.