VOA News | Thursday, November 21, 2024 
As international force struggles to stabilize Haiti, calls grow for UN force 

United Nations — A senior U.N. official urged the international community on Wednesday to make good on its commitments to fund and equip a multinational security force in Haiti, which is struggling to help the Haitian National Police subdue armed gangs who are terrorizing the population, while some nations want to transform the multinational force into a U.N. peacekeeping force. “Without a substantial and sustained increase in voluntary contributions from member states, there is a real risk that the MSS will never be fully equipped, fully deployed or able to sustain its support for the Haitian National Police,” Miroslav Jenca, U.N. assistant secretary-general, told Security Council members, using the acronym for the Multinational Security Support mission. He said the mission requires a “sizable increase” in weapons, equipment and specialized expertise that the Haitian National Police lack. “This must be accompanied by efforts to build up national police capabilities to support the government in sustainably delivering security,” Jenca said. He said efforts must also be made to stem the illicit flow of drugs, weapons and ammunition and to curb corruption. He urged the council to utilize sanctions to their “full potential” to address the root causes of gang violence. “Any further delays or operational gaps in providing international security support to the Haitian National Police, whether through the MSS or bilateral assistance, present a catastrophic risk of collapse of national security institutions,” Jenca cautioned. “This could lead to a complete breakdown of state authority, rendering international operations and the support to Haitians in need in the country untenable.” Jenca acknowledged that there are no ideal options for addressing the spiraling situation in Haiti...Read more