Statement by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues- Birkett, Permanent Representative of Guyana to the UN, on behalf of the A3+ at Security Council meeting on “The question concerning Haiti”
Thank you, Madame President
I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely, Algeria, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, and my own country, Guyana. I thank SRSG Maria Isabel Salvador, Executive Director Catherine Russell, and USG Ghada Waly for their briefings. I also wish to recognise the presence of the representative of Haiti and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic at today’s meeting.
The A3+ recognises and applauds the critical work being done by the United Nations Integrated Office in Haiti (BINUH), under increasingly challenging conditions in the country. We are deeply grateful for the dedication and tireless efforts of the BINUH staff and the wider UN Country team, who are operating under significant personal risk to their health and safety, to support Haiti and its people in overcoming the multidimensional crisis in the country.
We appreciate the critical reporting provided by BINUH, UNODC, UNICEF, and other UN agencies operating in Haiti. Your efforts to keep the Council apprised of the rapidly evolving situation are essential to maintaining our active engagement and responsiveness to the growing needs on the ground.
Madame President,
The A3+ remains deeply concerned about the dire security situation in Haiti as heavily armed gangs continue their coordinated attacks and rampage in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, leaving the local population in a constant state of fear and peril. Recent incidents once again highlight the pressing necessity for the deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS) to Haiti, and the urgent need for vital support to the Haitian National Police.
We continue to urge the early deployment of the MSS and welcome the notifications received from Benin, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, and Chad, informing of their intention to participate in the MSS Mission. We are hopeful that all remaining hurdles will soon be overcome, allowing Kenya to fulfil its commitment of leading this Mission. We also encourage States to contribute to the Trust Fund established to support the MSS and to provide other forms of support, including, personnel, equipment and logistical resources.
Stabilizing the security situation in Haiti is necessary to establish conditions conducive to making significant progress on both the humanitarian and political fronts. We believe that the deployment of the MSS and building the capacity of the Haitian National Police are critical in this regard.
Madame President,
The A3+ once again underscores that lasting stability in Haiti cannot be achieved without a political solution, that is led and owned by the Haitian people. In this regard, we extend our appreciation to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and other international partners for playing an instrumental role in facilitating a constructive way forward aimed at resolving Haiti’s political crisis. In particular, we commend their efforts in lending support to relevant Haitian actors in finding a path toward the holding of inclusive, free and fair elections in Haiti.
The A3+ welcomes the publication on 12th April 2024 of the decree formally establishing the Transitional Presidential Council, and the gazetting of the names of its members on 16th April. We hope that these important steps will provide the impetus to reach further consensus among Haitian stakeholders for the implementation of the Council’s mandate, and more importantly to create a pathway for progress in Haiti.
Madame President,
The A3+ notes with grave concern that the humanitarian situation in Haiti continues to worsen and that the Humanitarian Response Plan is just about 8 percent funded. We are also alarmed that almost 5 million Haitians are facing acute food insecurity. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) indicates that almost half of Haiti’s population, is experiencing “high levels of acute food insecurity” and that nearly 300,000 children aged 6 to 59 months are facing, or expected to face acute malnutrition between December 2023 and November 2024.
As Executive Director Russell just mentioned, children are now at risk of death in Haiti as the humanitarian crisis worsens. Action must be taken to increase humanitarian access and to facilitate aid deliveries. We also call upon all those who are able, to substantially scale-up their support for the Haiti Humanitarian Response Plan.
Madame President,
The A3+ strongly denounces the violence, human rights violations, and the employment of heavy weapons against innocent civilians, particularly women and children. Given the widespread use of such weapons, consideration should be given to disengagement and disarmament initiatives, learning from the experiences of other countries. Such initiatives focus on the regulation, possession, use, and distribution, of weapons and ammunition.
We encourage member states to continue to support measures to combat the trafficking and proliferation of illegal arms and illicit financial flows that enable criminal activity in Haiti. We look forward to the expansion of the sanctions regime and considering further appropriate measures.
Madame President,
The A3+ maintains our strong support and solidarity for the Haitian people and calls upon this Council and the wider United Nations System to maintain our attention to this multi-dimensional crisis. With the sustained and collective action of the international community, working closely with regional and national stakeholders, we can and must achieve progress. The millions of Haitian people deserve no less.
I thank you
