More than 5,700 people were killed or wounded in gang violence or security operations in Haiti from Jan. 1 to Sept. 11, 2026, the United Nations said Friday.
More than 230 people were abducted, while about 1,000 women and girls were raped, a figure the UN says is likely an underestimate.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said over half of the casualties occurred during operations targeting armed groups.
Hundreds of people were hit by stray gunfire or explosive drones, he added.
Gang influence has grown amid prolonged political turmoil, particularly since President Jovenel Moïse was assassinated on July 7, 2021.
The resulting power vacuum helped armed groups expand their territorial control and influence.
Türk said UN evidence indicates they are seeking to capture additional areas and major transport links.
Although executions by specialised police units have declined in recent months, people suspected of links to gangs remain at serious risk of being killed without trial, Türk said.
The UN also reported that the recruitment of children by gangs has nearly tripled.
Some minors see joining armed groups as their sole means of survival, Türk said, urging that children not be made to choose between their own safety and that of their communities.
Haiti is scheduled to hold presidential and legislative elections on Dec. 13, its first national vote since 2016.
Türk questioned whether conditions would allow a credible poll this year.
A multinational police mission deployed in 2025 to help curb gang violence has struggled to access areas controlled by armed groups.
By: Magdalene Agyeiwaa Sarpong