Haiti nearing 'point of no return', UN warns

UNITED NATIONS — Haiti, where rampant gang violence has surged in recent weeks, is approaching a "point of no return "leading to "total chaos", the UN special representative to the troubled Caribbean nation warned on Monday.

"As gang violence continues to spread to new areas of the country, Haitians experience growing levels of vulnerability and increasing skepticism about the ability of the state to respond to their needs," Maria Isabel Salvador told the UN Security Council.

"Haiti could face total chaos," she said, adding that international aid was desperately needed to avoid that fate. "I urge you to remain engaged and answer the urgent needs of the country and its people."