U.S. hosts Haiti security meeting during 79th U.N. General Assembly

U.S. hosts Haiti security meeting during 79th U.N. General Assembly
by Sheri Walsh
Washington DC (UPI) Sep 25, 2024

During Wednesday's 79th U.N. General Assembly, the United States hosted a side event to highlight progress being made in restoring security in Haiti, amid ongoing gang violence, and to announce an additional $160 million to help the Haitian people.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated the need for ongoing international support as the Haitian National Police, with the support of the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support mission, work to secure the country.

"I convened global leaders today to reiterate the need for greater contributions to help meet Haiti's security, economic and humanitarian needs," Blinken wrote Wednesday in a post on X.

"The U.S. is doing our part to help the Haitian people write the future they deserve by providing an additional $160 million in foreign assistance."

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield also hosted the event, which included participants Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille and Haitian Transitional Presidential Council President Edgar Leblanc Fils, as well as members of the Caribbean Community, Kenya, Canada and France.

While Conille thanked the international community for their support, he warned "we are nowhere near winning this."

"And the simple reality is, we don't without your help," Conille added.

"There is a sense of urgency because the Haitian people are watching this with cautious optimism. They are really hoping to see clear results, but more than 600,000 of them are living in camps, half the population is food insecure," Conille said.

During the meeting, Blinken announced additional U.S. assistance of $160 million in development, economic, health and security assistance for the Haitian people. That totals more than $1.3 billion in U.S. foreign assistance since fiscal year 2021, according to the State Department.

Those attending also discussed the status of contributions from the international community and the possibility of transitioning the MSS mission into a UN Peacekeeping Operation.

Gang violence has killed thousands in Haiti since October 2022, according to the White House, and gang members have cut off access to critical supplies. The Haitian National Police have increased their anti-gang operations to "build their capacity to maintain public safety and ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need."

On Wednesday, Blinken declared the United States' designation of Prophane Victor, for his role in forming and arming gangs that have engaged in serious human rights abuses. The United States is also targeting Luckson Elan, for his involvement in serious human rights abuses related to gang activity in Haiti's Artibonite department.

In March, the United Nations called for immediate action to end Haiti's "cataclysmic situation," as the capital of Port-au-Prince was consumed by gang violence and former Prime Minister Ariel Henry of Haiti announced his resignation.

Kenyan military forces arrived in Haiti in June as part of a peacekeeping mission to stop the deadly gang violence that was overtaking the Caribbean nation.