The halt of most US funding in January has led to many services for the most vulnerable being cut or paused.
Multiple crises in politics, security, and the economy have caused 5.7 million people to face food shortages and forced 1.3 million to flee their homes.
With a significant funding reduction, Haiti is at a pivotal “turning point”.
UN News spoke with OCHA’s country director, Modibo Traore, regarding the situation.
UN News: What is the current state of humanitarian funding in Haiti?
Modibo Traore: Haiti’s humanitarian funding is in a critical phase, with a widening gap between needs and resources. As of 1 July, only about 8% of the $908 million needed has been raised.
This partial coverage allows only a small portion of the 3.6 million target group to be reached.
Modibo Traore, OCHA’s country director in Haiti.
The most affected sectors are food security, water access, primary healthcare, education, and protection.
This reduction in support is against a backdrop of global crises – Ukraine, Gaza, Sudan – and a decline in political interest in Haiti.
UN News: Why are there such significant funding needs in Haiti?
Modibo Traore: The rising needs in Haiti are due to structural and cyclical factors. Socioeconomically, multidimensional poverty affects much of the population.
Natural hazards compound the situation.
Major hurricanes have hit the southern region within a week of a devastating earthquake, alongside recurring droughts impacting agriculture and livestock.
The city center of Port-au-Prince remains highly dangerous because of gang activity.
Since 2019, chronic insecurity from armed groups, especially in Port-au-Prince and the Centre and Artibonite regions, adds a new dimension.
In 2024, Haiti’s multidimensional crisis has turned catastrophic.
Violence and insecurity levels remain high, causing significant population displacement.
UN News: How has the control of armed groups impacted donor confidence?
Modibo Traore: The rise of armed groups and their control of strategic sites, like major roads and ports, hinders the safe delivery of aid.
This affects international donors’ perception of risk, seeing Haiti as high-threat for intervention. Access to beneficiaries has become erratic in many regions.
The worsening security situation poses a significant challenge for financial commitments.
Donors have raised concerns about operational risks concerning supply chain security, exploitation prevention, and accountability.
Aid operational costs have increased.
UN News: What is the impact of the new US administration approach?
Modibo Traore: On 20 January 2025, President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, suspending all new foreign funding from US agencies, including USAID’s humanitarian programs.
For Haiti, this led to a sudden stop of about 80% of US-funded programs. NGO staff were laid off, payments stopped, and supply chains disrupted.
US food aid prepared for delivery following floods in Haiti in 2022.
The suspension created deep uncertainty in the Haitian humanitarian system, weakening essential service continuity and affecting trust between communities and humanitarian actors.
UN News: To what extent is the current situation unprecedented?
Modibo Traore: The year 2025 signifies a turning point for Haiti’s humanitarian aid. This crisis isn’t due to a single event but a series of worsening situations amidst declining international focus.
The US program interruption catalyzed the crisis. USAID’s partners managing community health programs in vulnerable areas have ceased operations, depriving many of vital services.
Health centers co-funded by the US have closed, leaving pregnant women and children without help.
The current crisis highlights Haiti’s growing isolation.
While past crises spurred rapid international support, the 2025 humanitarian response has been slow and partial.
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