UNITED NATIONS — During the United Nations General Assembly, humanitarian crises around the globe took center stage. From Gaza, Ukraine, to Sudan, but one nation in crisis needing more support than ever: Haiti.
“They should care, those who live close by, they should care because this is right on their doorsteps,” said Tom Fletcher, the UN Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator.
Fletcher just got back from Haiti and told Local 10 News that the situation on the ground is dire.
“They are facing massive challenges. And of course, the population are the ones who are having to go through the checkpoints each day, who are living in real fear. And as I say, suffering violence, abductions, horrific sexual violence,” Fletcher said to describe why Haiti cannot be neglected.
Gangs currently control 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Because of those challenges, there is a call for action from all nations.
During the sidelines of UNGA, the US, along with Panama, worked together to garner support, with the goal of tackling Haiti’s armed gangs.
They are pushing for a resolution that would take the current Multinational Security Support Mission, led by Kenya, and create a “Gang Suppression Force” supported by a UN field office in Haiti.
The force would rely on international funding and personnel and would authorize more than 5,000 members to help detain gang members and stop escalating violence.
While Kenya has tried to combat the gangs that have taken control of Haiti, their force is only operating at 40%.
The first Kenyans arrived in June 2024 and while they were supposed to have 2,500 troops, that number is below 1,000 because of a lack of funding.
This proposal by the U.S. and Panama is backed by Haiti’s head of the transitional presidential council, Laurent Saint-Cyr.
“Every day, innocent lives are extinguished,” he told the General Assembly.
According to the UN, between January and June, 3,100 people died, with another 1,189 injured. It is estimated that 1.3 million people have been displaced. And what’s to come is troubling. The UN predicts 12 million people are expected to experience severe hunger.
“You can’t just contain problems like these. These problems will explode outwards. We have a shared interest in giving Haitians a better future,” added Fletcher.
Kenya’s current mission expires on Thursday.
The UN Security Council will be voting at the end of the month on the resolution presented by the US and Panama.
It requires at least nine of 15 votes in favor, and no vetoes by the US, Britain, France, Russia, or China.
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