The UN reiterated its support for the force fighting gangs in Haiti but warned of a lack of funding

Antonio Guterres reiterated his support for the anti-gang force in Haiti but warns of the lack of funding (Europa Press) The United Nations will continue backing the Gang Repression Force in Haiti following the renewal of its mandate by the Security Council, though it warned that the humanitarian plan for the country still faces a funding shortfall. The spokesman for the Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN), Stéphane Dujarric, specified that the organization has no oversight or evaluation responsibilities regarding the effectiveness of that force. The official indicated that the UN will maintain assistance through the office created to support the mission and will facilitate the fulfillment of its tasks. "We are doing that and will continue to do so, working closely with them to help them implement their own mandate," he said. The Security Council on Tuesday approved a six-month extension of the mandate of the Gang Repression Force (GSF), which will remain in effect until March 31, 2027. Resolution 2829 (2026) received 12 votes in favor, none against, and three abstentions from China, Pakistan, and Russia. The text requests that the Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, maintain logistical and operational support through the United Nations Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH), in accordance with resolution 2793 (2025). The spokesman also warned about the resources available to assist the Haitian population. The Humanitarian Response and Needs Plan requires USD 880 million to assist 4.2 million people, but has received USD 416 million so far. The UN noted that the available funds represent less than half of what was planned and are arriving with three months remaining in the year, so the lack of resources for the needs contemplated in the program persists. Members of the Haitian Police in Port-au-Prince (Haiti) (EFE/Jonet St Élois/File) The renewal of the mandate takes place amid an expansion of armed gangs and the loss of state control in various areas of Haiti. At least 11 people were killed on Monday in Gros-Morne, in the Haitian department of Artibonite, during an attack attributed to members of the Kokorat San Ras gang, according to the town's mayor, Hubert Cénéac. The local official linked the offensive to a prior operation by the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), backed by the United Nations. A Sri Lankan unit, part of that force, had expelled hours earlier members of the gang who had set up illegal toll posts in the area. According to Cénéac, the officers remained in Gros-Morne for a few hours and then returned to their base in Gonaïves, the capital of the Artibonite department. "In revenge, the armed men sowed terror among the population. A dozen people lost their lives this morning in the Dosni neighborhood, and an attack was unleashed on the area, with gunfire in all directions; they killed and burned houses," the mayor said in statements to Radio Kiskeya. Family members and friends carry the coffin of a person killed in an attack by armed gangs that took place on August 23 in Kenscoff, Haiti, on August 30, 2026 (REUTERS/Patrice Noel) Gros-Morne is one of the strongholds of Kokorat San Ras, one of the gangs that have extended their presence from Port-au-Prince into Artibonite, Haiti's main agricultural region. In early 2024, a wave of violence led to the resignation of then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who had held the post since 2021 following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Five years after that crime, the violence has left nearly 1.5 million people displaced. Almost 80% are located outside Port-au-Prince as insecurity spreads to other regions of the country, according to data from the International Organization for Migration. (With information from EFE)