No neglecting Haiti as Caribbean Leaders set to discuss ‘turmoil’ in country

Though Haiti has been plunged into significant turmoil again, Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali said Caribbean nations will not abandon the country and its people.

Instead, he said Caribbean leaders and regional military leaders are assessing the situation.

The crisis in Haiti should come up for discussion next week when leaders of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), a 15-member bloc, meet for the Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government in the Bahamas.

Ahead of that meeting, President Ali emphasised, “The Caribbean cannot and must not neglect Haiti in this time of need.”

Recent reports indicate that there has been an escalation of gang violence, political instability, and a deadly cholera outbreak in Haiti.

The United Nations Children’s Fund’s Haiti representative Bruno Maes told the Guardian at least 2.6 million are expected to need immediate lifesaving assistance this year as the overlapping crises leave Haiti’s children in the worst position since the earthquake of 2010,

Ariel Henry, who has taken over as acting president since the assassination of Haiti’s President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021, has pleaded for international military support but not many have responded. Based on reports, Jamaica is the only country so far to publicly offer troops.

CARICOM’s support to Haiti, a member state, is expected to be a key part of the leaders’ discussions in the Bahamas.

Meanwhile, President Ali also said the “volatile” situation in Peru is one that is engaging his attention. The South-American  country is reeling from two months of violent anti-government protests which have claimed at least 59 lives.