Haiti’s Crisis – A Call for Principled and Accountable Engagement

Following the conclusion of the mandate of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council on February 8, 2026, and amid ongoing insecurity and humanitarian need, we acknowledge Canada’s stated intention to support stabilization efforts in Haiti and take note of its decision to join the planned deployment of the Gang Suppression Force (GSF).

At the same time, we remain deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian and protection crisis in Haiti, which continues to severely affect civilians, particularly women and girls, children and other vulnerable communities.

As plans move forward for the deployment of the GSF, it is essential that any security intervention be firmly guided by the protection of civilians, respect for human rights, adherence to International Humanitarian Law and the principle of “do no harm”. Actions must not exacerbate existing vulnerabilities or create new risks for affected populations, including children who are recruited by gangs out of hunger or fear.

Security measures alone cannot address the root causes of Haiti’s crisis. Lasting stability will require Haitian-led political solutions, strengthened institutions and sustained investment in humanitarian assistance, development and community-based protection efforts.

In this context, Cooperation Canada and the undersigned organizations underscore that:

• Humanitarian actors must be able to operate safely and independently, with full respect for humanitarian principles and International Humanitarian Law.
• Strong accountability mechanisms must be established to prevent abuses, ensure transparency and uphold the rule of law.
• All security operations must be designed and implemented with local authorities, and in line with the “do no harm” principle, human rights and International Humanitarian Law, with safeguards to prevent unintended negative impacts on civilians, communities and aid workers.
• Gender equality and the protection of women, girls and children must remain central to all responses, in line with feminist and children rights-based approaches.
• The voices and priorities of Haitian civil society must be meaningfully included in all decision-making processes of the GSF, drawing on established civil-military coordination practices used in humanitarian contexts.

As a country committed to human rights and international law, Canada has a responsibility to ensure that any engagement in Haiti is consistent with its commitments to human rights and international law and contributes to safety, dignity and long-term peace for the Haitian people, not to further harm or instability.

Notes to Editors

• Cooperation Canada is the national voice for Canadian international development and humanitarian organizations. Representing over 100 organizations, we convene, coordinate and advocate for effective, inclusive and accountable international cooperation that contributes to a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.

Media Contact

Gabriel Karasz-Perriau, Senior Communications Manager
gkaraszperriau@cooperation.ca
(514) 945-0309

Signatories:

Action Against Hunger Canada

Cooperation Canada

Development and Peace – Caritas Canada

Doctors of the World Canada

Equality Fund

Humanity & Inclusion Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Lawyers Without Borders Canada

Oxfam-Québec

Plan International Canada

Save the Children Canada

World Vision Canada