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UN Approves Multi-National Security Mission for Haiti
“People across Haiti, are crying out for help. And they are calling on the international community to step up,” declared U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield.
On October 2, the UN Security Council answered that call by passing a historic resolution – co-penned by the United States and Ecuador – to authorize a Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti.
This mission comes at the request of the Haitian government and Haitian civil society to address the insecurity and dire humanitarian crisis the country has faced for far too long, noted Ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis, Acting U.S. Deputy Representative to the United Nations.
“The deployment of this Mission will help to support Haiti’s critical, near-term needs and to foster the security conditions necessary for the country to advance long-term stability,” he said. “Importantly, this resolution recognizes the need to learn lessons from past missions, and calls for safeguards to promote respect for human rights and accountability.”
The resolution makes clear the Multinational Security Support mission will operate in strict compliance with international law, and include dedicated expertise in anti-gang operations, community-oriented policing, children and women’s protection, and preventing and responding to sexual and gender-based violence.
Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield thanked Kenya for stepping up to lead this mission, and countries like Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda for publicly pledging personnel to the mission. The United States is committed to providing assistance to this multinational force. “We intend to work with Congress to provide $100 million in support,” explained Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. And the Department of Defense is prepared to provide assistance, as well. The United States calls on the rest of the international community to join in supporting this mission in Haiti.
“If we act with urgency,” said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield, “the mission can deploy within months.” There is no time to waste. As President Joe Biden told the UN General Assembly last month, “the people of Haiti cannot wait much longer.”
“To the people of Haiti, my message is this,” said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield: “Continue to stand strong and tall. Help and hope are on the way.”