Strengthening Police Force part of CARICOM’s plans to aid Haiti

As turmoil in Haiti continues, Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) agreed that strengthening is country’s Police Force is necessary to help restore security in the country.

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, was among the CARICOM leaders who gathered in the Bahamas this week for regional talks.

See below full statement from CARICOM:

Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), at their 44th Regular Meeting in The Bahamas reiterated that the Community must play a leadership role in addressing the deteriorating situation in Haiti, a Member State of the Community, towards which there are moral and political obligations.

Heads affirmed that decisive action is needed at the earliest opportunity by CARICOM in view of the mounting insecurity and its widespread impact on all facets of Haitian life. The Heads of Government were joined in part of their discussions by the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada.

The Heads of Government acknowledged the adoption of the December 21, 2022 political agreement, the National Consensus for an Inclusive Transition and Transparent Elections, launched by the Honourable Ariel Henry, the Interim Prime Minister of Haiti, but were of the view that it needed to be more inclusive. In this regard, Heads of Government agreed to convene an early meeting of stakeholders in Jamaica.

They also agreed to participate in a meeting to be convened in Haiti with Haitian stakeholders, to assist in the development of a plan to restore security and the rule of law.

The Heads of Government noted the various forms of security assistance provided by the Government of Canada and placed emphasis on strengthening the capacity of the Haitian National Police to protect the general population from criminal activities.

Finally, the Heads of Government agreed to build international partnerships in support of efforts to return Haiti to peace and stability as a necessary precursor for free, fair and credible elections.