UNITED NATIONS (CMC) – United Nations Special Representative for Haiti and head of the UN Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), Carlos G Ruiz Massieu, says despite crisis facing Haiti, the people of the French-speaking Caribbean country have not given up and that “their fortitude gives us hope.”

“There is no doubt that the circumstances are dire, but the Haitian people have not given up,” said Massieu in addressing the UN Security Council for the first time on Wednesday.

Massieu, who has met multiple political, international and civil stakeholders in Haiti over the past two and a half months, addressed the continuing gang violence and humanitarian crisis in the country, the upcoming political transition set to take place next year and the bid to restore national security through the recently agreed Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

As armed groups are increasingly targeting farming communities on the outskirts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other areas, Massieu stressed that the scale and impact of internal displacement is “unprecedented”, amounting to over 1.4 million displaced people.

He said the human rights situation also remains “deeply concerning, with widespread abuses linked to gang attacks, violence involving self-defence groups, and even some security operations.

“I am concerned that a steady path towards the restoration of democratic governance has yet to emerge,” said Massieu, addressing the transfer of authority to elected officials expected to take place by February 7 next year.

He welcomed actions by Haitian authorities to consult with political representatives regarding the elections to avoid a political vacuum beyond February, stating that ‘sustained inter-Haitian dialogue remains crucial to forging renewed consensus on the way forward.’

Massieu said BINUH will be providing technical and logistical support ahead of the election.

He welcomed the Security Council backing for the Gang Suppression Force and urged authorities to take appropriate measures to increase security and ensure communities most affected by violence, particularly children, are protected.

The UN Special Representative warned that the hostile security environment continues to affect Haiti’s international partners in the capital but that he is leading efforts in BINUH to achieve “100 per cent staff presence in the capital as a matter of urgency.

“The recent action by this Council was a signal of reassurance to the Haitian people that they are not alone – that the international community stands with them during this critical moment,” he said.

“Now is the time to swiftly translate this signal into real progress and turn the tide of violence,” Massieu added.