UNITED NATIONS, May 9, CMC – A new report released by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH) on Friday says at least 1,642 people were killed and 745 others injured during the first three months of 2026.
The report highlights worsening insecurity across the French-speaking country, with violence continuing to spread beyond the capital, Port-au-Prince, into areas including Artibonite and the Centre department.
“Despite security advances in certain areas of downtown Port-au-Prince, insecurity is daily and unbearable for a large number of Haitians,” said Carlos Ruiz Massieu, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti and Head of BINUH.
According to the report, gangs continued to commit widespread human rights abuses in areas under their control, including targeted killings, kidnappings, extortion and destruction of property.
The report says one of the most disturbing incidents documented involves the execution of a 13-year-old in March after the child, who had reportedly been used as a gang “lookout”, flew a kite.
In Lower Artibonite, the report says coordinated gang attacks between March 29 and 31 targeted 16 localities where self-defence groups had been established. At least 83 residents were killed and 38 were injured, the report says.
“Overall, gang members were responsible for 27 per cent of those killed and injured during the quarter,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq.
The report also documents widespread sexual violence, including gang rape and sexual exploitation, affecting more than 292 victims, primarily women and girls between the ages of 12 and 17.
BINUH said more than 69 per cent of those killed or injured between January and March were the result of operations carried out by security forces against gangs, at times supported by a private military company using drones.
The report says that 69 civilians, including five children, were among the victims of drone strikes.
Despite the deteriorating security situation, the report notes some progress within Haiti’s judicial system.
In March, the report says 14 judges were appointed to newly established specialised judicial units tasked with addressing mass crimes and financial crimes, following the appointment of 10 government prosecutors earlier this year.
CMC/nk/ed/2026