Key Message Update: Uptick of gang violence continues to worsen food insecurity

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 favorable 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.