UN Chief Urges Quick Action to Tackle Widespread Insecurity in Haiti
UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric told reporters in New York that António Guterres wanted to see “urgent action, particularly in providing financial support for the multinational security support mission”, which has been authorized by the Security Council in a bid to restore law and order to the crisis-wracked nation, the poorest in the western hemisphere.
Kenya and Haiti signed a deal a few days ago which expects to see a contingent of 1,000 Kenyan officers lead the support mission, although it is unclear whether Kenya’s high court will allow it to go ahead amidst constitutional challenges.
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Benin confirmed last week it would supply personnel to the mission, which Mr. Dujarric reminded is not a UN peacekeeping force. “This force will need to address the pressing security requirements of the Haitian people and prevent the country from plunging into further chaos,” he said.
Adding to the insecurity is the whereabouts of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who was in the Kenyan capital to sign the deal, but has not yet returned to Haiti, which has been living under a 72-hour state of emergency and curfew.
Around 80 per cent of the capital is now controlled by the armed gangs who tried to take control of Haiti’s main airport on Monday in a bid to oust the current government and prevent the controversial premier’s return.
Death and displacement continues
The UN humanitarian affairs office, OCHA, reported that fresh violence and upheaval in the capital has led around 15,000 people to flee their homes, many of whom were previously displaced.
“Despite the security constraints, our humanitarian partners on the ground have begun to respond to these new displacements by providing food, hygiene and health kits, mattresses, blankets and sheets as well as lamps”, said the UN Spokesperson.
The World Food Programme (WFP) and partners have delivered over 5,500 hot meals to some 3,000 people living in three new displacement sites while the International Organization for Migration (IOM) has started distributing emergency shelter material to more than 300 families.
The humanitarian community in Haiti is calling on all sides to put an immediate stop to the violence, Mr. Dujarric emphasized, to allow safe access to those civilians in need.
Around 5.5 million people – nearly half of the country’s population – need humanitarian assistance.
Funding deficit
This year’s $674 million humanitarian appeal for Haiti is just 2.5 per cent funded, with only $17 million pledged so far.
On Wednesday, the Security Council is scheduled to hold a private meeting on the situation in Haiti, when the head of the UN mission in the country, Maria Isabel Salvador, is expected to brief.
The UN chief is also calling for all political actors “to swiftly agree to the necessary steps to advance the political process towards the restoration of democratic institutions through the holding of elections”, Mr. Dujarric said.
Nora Chambers, an acclaimed journalist with a focus on global affairs and humanitarian issues, has dedicated over twenty years to reporting from conflict zones worldwide. Her work has spotlighted marginalized communities and highlighted urgent international concerns.
It’s crucial that swift action is taken to address the escalating insecurity in Haiti. The international community must step up and provide the necessary support to prevent further chaos and ensure the safety of the Haitian people.
It’s heartbreaking to see the ongoing crisis in Haiti. Urgent action is needed to address the widespread insecurity and restore law and order for the Haitian people. Let’s hope that the international support mission can make a positive impact and prevent further chaos.
It’s crucial for the international community to act swiftly to address the escalating insecurity in Haiti. Financial support and a concerted effort to restore law and order are imperative to prevent further chaos and protect the Haitian people.
It is imperative that immediate action is taken to address the widespread insecurity in Haiti. The support mission must urgently receive financial backing to restore law and order and prevent further chaos. The safety and well-being of the Haitian people should be the top priority in this critical situation.
It is imperative that swift action is taken to address the escalating insecurity in Haiti. Financial backing for the security mission is crucial to restoring stability and protecting the Haitian people from further turmoil. The involvement of international forces is necessary to prevent the country from descending into chaos.
Do you think the multinational security support mission will be able to effectively address the security concerns in Haiti? What steps are being taken to ensure the safety of the Haitian people amidst the ongoing crisis?
Yes, I believe the multinational security support mission, with the involvement of Kenyan and Beninese personnel, will play a crucial role in addressing the security concerns in Haiti. The key is swift and decisive action to prevent further chaos and ensure the safety of the Haitian people. Let’s hope for a peaceful resolution to the crisis.
Is there any update on the whereabouts of Prime Minister Ariel Henry and whether the support mission will be able to effectively address the security challenges in Haiti?
As of now, there is no official update on the whereabouts of Prime Minister Ariel Henry. However, the support mission, although not a UN peacekeeping force, aims to address the pressing security challenges in Haiti to prevent further chaos.
It’s crucial that immediate steps are taken to address the escalating insecurity in Haiti. The situation demands swift action and robust support to prevent further chaos and instability in the region.
UN Chief Urges Quick Action to Tackle Widespread Insecurity in Haiti. It is imperative that the international community swiftly provides the necessary resources to support the security mission in Haiti. The situation there demands urgent attention and collaborative efforts to prevent further deterioration of the country’s stability.
Will the multinational security support mission be able to effectively address the security concerns in Haiti given the escalating violence and political instability?
Do you have any information on the timeline for the deployment of the Kenyan officers to Haiti, considering the constitutional challenges they are facing?
Could you provide more details on the potential implications of Kenya’s high court decision on the deployment of the 1,000 Kenyan officers to Haiti amidst the constitutional challenges?