(Le Floridien) — On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced a $200 million contribution from the US to the multinational security support mission in Haiti during a gathering of foreign ministers from the G20 group of developed nations in Rio de Janeiro. This funding aims to strengthen the Haitian National Police by providing support in planning, intelligence, airlift capacity, communications, and medical equipment and services.
At the G20 Foreign Ministerial meeting, Blinken called on the international community to bolster the mission further by contributing funding, personnel, equipment, logistics, and training. He emphasized the severity of Haiti’s situation, noting that gangs control over 80% of Port-au-Prince and use sexual assault and rape to terrorize the population, presenting it as one of the most pressing challenges facing the international community.
“We need to do more to help the Haitian national police stabilize the security situation now so that aid can actually flow in effectively and get to people who need it, so that Haitians don’t have to live in terror of gangs, and so that Haiti returns fully and strongly to a democratic path,” Blinken said at the opening of the meeting.
He noted that half the country is surviving on just one meal a day and three million children require immediate humanitarian aid, with the conflict spreading to the country’s agricultural heartland.
The US Secretary of State highlighted the US’s provision of over $300 million in the last three years for humanitarian aid and an additional $189 million since July 2021 to professionalize the national police, alongside sanctions and visa restrictions.
However, Blinken stated that this support is insufficient for Haiti to regain control of its country. He emphasized the need for more help for the Haitian National Police to stabilize the security situation, allowing aid to flow effectively and the country to return to a democratic path. He believes the best way forward is through a UN-authorized multinational security support mission, whose success relies on international contributions.
Blinken thanked the Kenyan government for leading the mission and mentioned commitments from Canada, Benin, France, Germany, and Jamaica, as announced during the event. The State Department noted the establishment of a United Nations Trust Fund for the mission, which can receive additional contributions.
He reiterated the US’s call for the restoration of democratic order, urging Prime Minister Henri and key stakeholders to unite for broader governance. He stated, “The only legitimate path to long-term peace and stability is through free and fair elections.”
Photo credit Reuters
