Multiple political, security and socioeconomic crises have led to 5.7 million people suffering from a lack of food and have forced 1.3 million people to flee their homes. After the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in 2021, Haitian society has deteriorated amid the political crisis. Clashes between armed groups and the police have grown since and  the government has struggled to control many areas of the capital and beyond.  There has been no elected official in office since January 2023. Haiti faces severe humanitarian challenges, with 5.5 million people in need of aid, widespread food insecurity, a collapsing public health system, and escalating violence impeding relief efforts. Gang activity restricts access to vulnerable populations and poses significant risks to humanitarian workers and resources.

For generations after independence in 1804, Haiti was saddled with the impact of “reparations” to France – the country that enslaved its people – in some years spending 40% of government revenue on its resulting debts. That burden severely hampered economic growth and the development of robust public services. The United States has played a significant role in Haiti's affairs as well. These 109 years of involvement have fostered a reliance on U.S. aid in Haiti that has persisted for well over a century. The country very rarely holds true elections, as a result of the candidates presented to the Haitian public often being selected with minimal input from Haitian civil society. Instead politicians are imposed by external forces . Even the most recent transition government, established after interim President Ariel Henry was removed from office in April 2024, was put into place by the United Nations, the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), and representatives from other nations including Brazil, Canada, France, Mexico, and the United States. Despite recent efforts by Haitian civil society to develop plans for a transition to free and fair elections—most notably through the development of the Montana Accord, signed by over 70 cooperating Haitian civil and political organizations—such initiatives have been largely ignored by the international community.