HAMILTON, Canada 

The UN Security Council on Monday extended a mandate for security support mission in Haiti for one year.

The resolution, penned by Ecuador and the US, extends the mandate of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission until Oct. 2, 2025.

The MSS mission in Haiti, established to support continuing efforts to stabilize Haiti, was created last year following a call by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Led by Kenya, the MSS mission began its operations on June 25, 2024, to support Haiti's security and assist the Haitian National Police.

Haiti has been struggling with gang violence and political instability for years. The country saw an escalation of violence following the assassination of President Jovenel Moise three years ago.

Rival armed groups took control of the capital, Port-au-Prince, earlier this year, forcing Prime Minister Ariel Henry to resign. Armed gangs are said to control an estimated 80% of the city.

According to the UN, more than 1,379 people were killed or injured in Haiti, and 428 kidnapped from April to June.

Around 5.5 million people in Haiti are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance amid a complex humanitarian crisis exacerbated by civil unrest, disease, economic instability and insecurity.