Monsignor Max Leroys Mésidor, Archbishop of Port-au-Prince and president of the Haitian Episcopal Conference, issued an urgent appeal to the international community: “We are on the brink of disaster.”
In an interview with the Italian Episcopal Conference’s SIR news agency, the prelate referred to the state of internal turmoil the Caribbean country is experiencing following the presence of a UN-approved Multinational Support Mission, which “has been a great disappointment.”
This Kenyan-led mission has been unable to control the incursion of criminal gangs that are besieging the population. Mésidor himself has denounced that “Port -au-Prince is practically surrounded by armed groups.”
“It’s estimated that 85% of the capital is outside state control. And signs of improvement are desperately needed. The situation is the same in the suburbs, especially in the Kenscoff Mountains,” he said.
Haiti, out of control
The UN Special Representative in Haiti, Ulrika Richardson, stated that the crisis caused by gang violence is “unprecedented.” They are currently seeking to raise €900 million for a humanitarian response.
The United Nations Office in the country (Binuh) has presented a report on armed group clashes in the country, recording, in 2024, 5,626 murders, 2,213 injuries, and a 150% increase in kidnappings, with children being the main victims.
UNICEF has also reported a 70% increase in the forced recruitment of 12-year-old children, who are used in kidnappings, confrontations, and extortion.
Hence Monsignor Mésidor’s outcry. He feels that the Kenyan-led UN Mission is failing to deliver results; more and more neighborhoods in the capital are falling into the hands of criminals. “I think it needs more personnel.”
“Despite the equipment received and the promises made here and there, the Haitian population has not seen any appreciable improvement. No gang has been dismantled, no neighborhood has been reclaimed, and none of the leaders of the violence have been arrested or neutralized,” he lamented.
Bring hope
Amidst the difficulties—in the midst of the Year of Hope—the Church in Haiti continues to push forward with its action, “speaking and acting within the limits of what is possible, of course.”
Furthermore, the prelate maintains, the Church “brings a word of hope and courage to this overwhelmed and exhausted people. It calls the authorities to account for their inaction and indifference.”
In this regard, they have undertaken actions to support populations displaced by violence, delivering food, drinking water, medicine, and clothing, in addition to fundraising activities and collecting goods received in offering processions during Masses.
All of this is distributed among the affected population, especially women, children, and the elderly, who “had to abandon their homes and possessions to escape the barbarity.”
For now, the Church invites believers to organize moments of prayer and reflection for the conversion of hearts and the establishment of security and peace in the country.
Outcry of the Haitian people
Monsignor Mésidor made a forceful appeal to the international community, the same one Pope Francis has made on previous occasions: “Do not forget Haiti. Do not tire of Haiti.”
“The Haitian people need effective aid and clear solidarity. Strengthen the International Mission for Peace and Security. And please, don’t delay, because we are on the brink of disaster,” he said.
Every day, more innocent blood is shed in Haiti, where “children are dying, the elderly are riddled with weapons, entire neighborhoods are burned and destroyed.”
Although there have been “several meetings and discussions about Haiti,” results are not yet visible in the short term, so “please help us save the lives of a population practically abandoned to its own devices.”
