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."

Salvador cited cholera outbreaks and gender-based violence alongside a deteriorating security situation, particularly in the capital Portau-Prince, with authorities struggling to cope.

Haiti faces severe political instability, while swathes of the country are under the control of rival armed gangs which carry out widespread murders, rapes and kidnappings.

The groups have been battling for control of Port-au-Prince and clashes have intensified as the rival gangs attempt to establish new territories.

A Kenyan-led force authorized by the United Nations has failed to push back the gangs. The mission has around 1,000 police officers from six countries, but was intended to have 2,500.

In a report seen by AFP, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that further international support was "required immediately to allow the national police to prevent the capital slipping closer to the brink", Haiti's Ambassador to the UN, Ericq Pierre, said his country was "slowly dying".

AGENCIES VIA XINHUA