WASHINGTON, CMC – The United States has reiterated its pledge of US$100 million to Haiti as the United Nations Security Council Monday adopted a resolution to authorize a Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission to the French-speaking Caribbean Community (CARICOM) country.
“As previously stated, we intend to work with Congress to provide US$100 million in foreign assistance, and the Department of Defense is prepared to provide up to US$100 million in enabling support,” said US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken.
“We continue to look to the international community to provide funding, equipment, training, and personnel to support a truly multinational effort.”
Blinken said this “pivotal mission,” which will launch in partnership with Haiti, responds to Haiti’s request for international support to address insecurity and create the necessary security conditions for long-term stability and growth.
Blinken noted that the resolution authorizes the MSS mission to provide operational, static, and training support to the Haitian National Police.
“While this action represents important progress, the United States renews its urgent call to political actors, including Prime Minister Henry and opposition members, to broaden consensus and restore democratic order in Haiti,” he said.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in a White House statement that Monday’s decision at the United Nations Security Council to authorize an MSS mission for Haiti “marks an important milestone in bringing much-needed help to the people of Haiti who have suffered for far too long at the hands of violent criminals.
“We thank our partners at the Council for swiftly approving this decision, which formally endorses the mission and lays the framework for how the international community can best support Haiti at this critical time.
“The global community owes a debt of gratitude to Kenya for answering Haiti’s call to serve as the lead nation of the mission, and likewise to the other countries that have pledged to join this mission alongside Kenya, including Jamaica, The Bahamas, and Antigua and Barbuda. We thank these nations for their leadership and willingness to bring relief to Haiti.
“We have taken an important step today, but our work to support the people of Haiti is not done,” Sullivan said, adding, “It is now crucial that we focus on making progress in mobilizing the international support necessary to deploy this mission swiftly, effectively, and safely.
“The people of Haiti deserve to feel safe enough to leave their homes, restore their livelihoods, and go to the polls to elect a government that represents their interests democratically,” he said.
The UN said the mission was requested by the Haitian government and civil society representatives following months of chaos and steadily worsening conditions affecting civilians.
There have been more than 3,000 homicides reported this year and over 1,500 instances of kidnapping for ransom, the UN said.
It said around 200,000 have been forced to flee their homes while sexual violence and abuse against women and girls by armed gangs ticks up. The UN said tens of thousands of children cannot go to school.
Adopting the resolution with a recorded vote of 13 in favor and two abstentions (Russia and China), ambassadors in New York also authorized the MSS mission to help secure critical infrastructure and transit hubs such as the airport, ports, schools, hospitals, and critical intersections.
They also called on countries participating in the mission to ensure the highest standards of transparency, conduct, and discipline for their personnel. They called for an oversight mechanism to prevent human rights violations or abuses, including sexual exploitation.
The non-UN mission is also slated to help ensure unhindered and safe access to humanitarian aid for millions of needy Haitians.
Haiti’s Foreign Minister of Haiti, Jean-Victor Geneus, thanked ambassadors for their support and for tabling the historic resolution.
“More than just a simple vote, this is an expression of solidarity with a population in distress,” he said, adding that the resolution is a glimmer of hope for the Haitian people who have suffered the consequences of a multipronged crisis for too long.
He urged member states to commit to the mission “as quickly as possible” to help restore a safe and stable environment and re-establish democratic institutions there.
After the adoption, Martin Kimani, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of Kenya, recalled his country’s bold offer to lead the mission. He thanked the Council for responding in an “exemplary spirit of cooperation.”
“With this action, the Security Council has ignited a beacon of hope for the beleaguered people of Haiti,” he said.
The Foreign Minister reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to work closely with Haiti’s allies and CARICOM member-states in establishing the mission by the resolution
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