Haitian civil society operates in a complex and deteriorating environment marked by overlapping crises. The country remains mired in a prolonged constitutional and institutional impasse, characterised by an undefined transitional governance system that undermines legitimacy and public trust. Security conditions have deteriorated significantly due to the proliferation of armed gangs responsible for widespread violence, including rape, robbery and the destruction of public infrastructure, while national security forces remain ineffective. Humanitarian indicators are alarming, with more than 4,000 violent deaths recorded between January and May 2025 and more than 1.3 million internally displaced persons.

Economically, Haiti has experienced six consecutive years of negative growth, reflecting the collapse of its productive sectors. Environmental vulnerabilities persist, exacerbated by the physical degradation of Port-au-Prince and the lingering effects of the 2010 earthquake. Civil society is engaged in discussions with the authorities, the private sector and the international community to find solutions to the crisis. In April 2024, a political agreement established a framework for political transition, which is currently stalled. Through resolutions 2653 (2022), renewed by resolution 2700 (2023), and 2699 (2023), the United Nations established a sanctions regime targeting individuals who threaten peace and security in Haiti and authorised a Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS). The still incomplete deployment of this force, combined with a lack of resources to intervene on the ground, appears to explain the mission’s failure.

Despite these challenges, Haitian civil society has become aware of its transformative role. It actively promotes a democratic and inclusive socio-political vision aimed at economic recovery and sustainable development in the ten departments and within the diaspora. Civil society actors are working to influence public policy, advocating for a return to constitutional order and proposing alternative solutions to the challenges of the transition. Their efforts focus on restoring social peace, free movement and revitalising the national economy. However, the effectiveness of civil society initiatives remains dependent on the broader environment, which can either facilitate or hinder their impact.

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VOLONTARIAT POUR LE DEVELOPPEMENT D’HAITI