Haiti: Anticipated Full Return of UN Personnel by Year-End
By Jean Mapou · Port-au-Prince · · 3 min read · Updated 24 April 2026
Translated from French — AI-assisted and reviewed by the editorial team. The French version is authoritative. Read the original · About our translation policy
After two years of limited operations due to insecurity, the United Nations is preparing to redeploy all its staff in Haiti by December. A strategic decision, as the Haitian crisis reaches a critical point.
PORT-AU-PRINCE.— The UN plans to re-establish a complete presence in the Haitian capital before the end of the year. The announcement was made by Carlos Ruiz Massieu, Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Haiti, following an assessment mission in the country. This redeployment marks a major turning point for an institution that, since 2023, had reduced its staff to a bare minimum in the face of rising violence.
“We must be on the ground to fulfill our mandate,” stated Mr. Ruiz Massieu from New York.
According to the Mexican diplomat, 75% of UN personnel are expected to be back in Port-au-Prince by early November, before a full redeployment by December. This decision was made possible thanks to secure evacuation agreements concluded with the Dominican Republic and the provision of transport helicopters. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), responsible for supporting political stability and human rights protection, had only seventeen international staff on the ground upon Mr. Ruiz Massieu's arrival last August. The objective is now clear: to remobilize teams to support the country during a particularly fragile transition period. A High-Risk Political Transition Institutionally, Haiti remains in an uncertain transition. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, no elections have been held. The Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), established in 2024, is tasked with leading the country towards general elections by February 7, 2026, the scheduled date for the transfer of power to elected leaders. However, concrete signs of electoral preparation are still awaited. “If conditions do not allow for elections before February 7, an arrangement will have to be found to avoid a political vacuum,” warns the UN representative, who calls for collective responsibility in the face of what he describes as a ticking clock. A New Support Office to Frame the Fight Against Gangs While over 80% of Port-au-Prince and several regions of the country are under the control of armed groups, the UN is preparing the creation of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (BANUH). This new structure will support the Gang Repression Force (FRG), a multinational mission of 5,550 men approved by the Security Council at the end of September. BANUH is expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2026, before the full deployment of the FRG scheduled for the following months. Its role will be to ensure the logistical, technical, and financial coordination of the international mission, while supporting the efforts of the Haitian government. Between Security Imperatives and Human Rights Respect Questioned about the controversial use of explosive drones by Haitian forces during recent operations, Mr. Ruiz Massieu reiterated the need to respect international humanitarian law. “We have advised the authorities on the risks of harm to the civilian population. Security forces must respect international human rights standards,” he insisted. Several local organizations have reported civilian casualties, including children, during assaults against gangs in Port-au-Prince. The UN advocates for strengthening the training and supervision of Haitian units to avoid past mistakes. Restoring the Credibility of a Contested Presence For the organization, this full return to Port-au-Prince goes beyond simple logistics: it is a strong political gesture, aimed at restoring the credibility of a UN presence often viewed with suspicion. “This is not an act of bravery, but an obligation,” states Mr. Ruiz Massieu. “We must do everything to help Haitians avoid a political vacuum and find the path to a rule of law,” he concluded. Jean Mapou
According to the Mexican diplomat, 75% of UN personnel are expected to be back in Port-au-Prince by early November, before a full redeployment by December. This decision was made possible thanks to secure evacuation agreements concluded with the Dominican Republic and the provision of transport helicopters. The United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), responsible for supporting political stability and human rights protection, had only seventeen international staff on the ground upon Mr. Ruiz Massieu's arrival last August. The objective is now clear: to remobilize teams to support the country during a particularly fragile transition period. A High-Risk Political Transition Institutionally, Haiti remains in an uncertain transition. Since the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, no elections have been held. The Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), established in 2024, is tasked with leading the country towards general elections by February 7, 2026, the scheduled date for the transfer of power to elected leaders. However, concrete signs of electoral preparation are still awaited. “If conditions do not allow for elections before February 7, an arrangement will have to be found to avoid a political vacuum,” warns the UN representative, who calls for collective responsibility in the face of what he describes as a ticking clock. A New Support Office to Frame the Fight Against Gangs While over 80% of Port-au-Prince and several regions of the country are under the control of armed groups, the UN is preparing the creation of the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (BANUH). This new structure will support the Gang Repression Force (FRG), a multinational mission of 5,550 men approved by the Security Council at the end of September. BANUH is expected to be fully operational by March 31, 2026, before the full deployment of the FRG scheduled for the following months. Its role will be to ensure the logistical, technical, and financial coordination of the international mission, while supporting the efforts of the Haitian government. Between Security Imperatives and Human Rights Respect Questioned about the controversial use of explosive drones by Haitian forces during recent operations, Mr. Ruiz Massieu reiterated the need to respect international humanitarian law. “We have advised the authorities on the risks of harm to the civilian population. Security forces must respect international human rights standards,” he insisted. Several local organizations have reported civilian casualties, including children, during assaults against gangs in Port-au-Prince. The UN advocates for strengthening the training and supervision of Haitian units to avoid past mistakes. Restoring the Credibility of a Contested Presence For the organization, this full return to Port-au-Prince goes beyond simple logistics: it is a strong political gesture, aimed at restoring the credibility of a UN presence often viewed with suspicion. “This is not an act of bravery, but an obligation,” states Mr. Ruiz Massieu. “We must do everything to help Haitians avoid a political vacuum and find the path to a rule of law,” he concluded. Jean Mapou
