Free Haiti:
Calling for the End of Violence
and the Restoration of Community, Stability and Sustainability in Haiti
Held at The House of the Redeemer, 7 E 95th Street, New York, NY 10128
The reality and necessity for immediate cessation of violence and restoration of community and stability in Haiti is essential. The situation for women and young girls is particularly critical, reports of sexual violence have escalated significantly since early 2025, especially in gang-controlled territories. The crisis also extends tragically to children; UNICEF reported that Haiti’s children continue to endure unimaginable suffering amidst the brutal armed violence.[1] On a humanitarian level, Haiti faces a multidimensional crisis with the rise of gang groups causing a major obstacle to the safe and efficient delivery of humanitarian aid. On the socioeconomic front, multidimensional poverty affects a large part of the population.[2] To this end, Grace Initiative Global held a side event to envisage integrating a holistic vision for Haiti’s future, including building schools, providing health care, rehabilitating the youth and training for economic opportunity. The speakers provided insight to holistic development, providing an example of the Haiti Project developed by the New York Diocese of the Episcopal Church. Further Dr. Evan Auguste discussed trauma healing, through circles of Trust.
On September 30, 2025 the United Nations Security Council approved a new resolution for Haiti, res. 2793, calling inter alia for a new suppression force , and addressing the broader drivers of the insecurity in Haiti, with the future being driven by Haitians for Haiti.
The ongoing crisis in Haiti demands not only decisive action, but also a reimagining of the community life, which has endured perpetuated cycles of retaliation and suffering. While a Suppression Force offers means to stop inter alia gang violence and the degrading cruelty, this approach alone cannot mend the deeply woven fabric of mistrust and loss that haunts the nation’s communities. Instead, any comprehensive path forward must consider a restorative process that places healing, accountability, and reconciliation at its heart, linking these goals to SDG 16 (Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development). Further, we propose that the revitalizing agriculture, integrated for climate adaptation, offers restorative qualities, providing most importantly sustenance, connected to SDG: 2 (food security), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15
(sustainable use of land). Agriculture offers purpose, opportunity, and physical and psychological benefits.”[3]
[1] UNICEF. “UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell remarks at the Security Council Open Debate on Haiti” (August 28, 2025). Accessed at https://www.unicef.org/haiti/en/press-releases/unicef-executive-director-catherinerussellremarks-security-council-open-debate.
[2] UN News, Humanitarian Aid (July 30, 2025). Accessed at https://news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165533
[3] http://Farm Veteran Coalition.www.farmvetco.org/about-us/our-vision-mission-goals.
