In the face of growing insecurity in Haiti and the proliferation of illegal weapons, the National Commission for Disarmament, Dismantling and Reintegration (CNDDR) held a strategic brainstorming session on the management of weapons and ammunition on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, with logistical support from the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (UNIH). This initiative comes at a time when several UN reports estimate that between 270 000 and 500 000 illegal weapons are currently circulating in the country, fuelling the violence of armed groups.
According to data provided by the United Nations, more than 80 per cent of the weapons seized in Haiti and recovered between 2020 and 2022 came from the United States, mainly Florida, before being introduced into Haiti by sea or via transnational trafficking networks. In response to this situation, the meeting brought together a number of national and international actors, including representatives of the Colombian Agency for Reincorporation and Standardization, who shared their experience in disarmament and community violence reduction.
Through this technical exchange, the Haitian authorities intend to strengthen arms and ammunition control mechanisms in order to curb the expansion of armed groups and gradually restore public security. The organizers believe that better management of weapons is today a major challenge to limit violence, protect civilian populations and strengthen the institutional capacity of the Haitian state.
