Statement delivered by H.E. Carolyn Rodrigues-Birkett, Permanent Representative of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana to the United Nations, on behalf of the A3+ during the UNSC Briefing on ‘The Question Concerning Haiti’

Thank you, Mr. President,

I have the honour to deliver this statement on behalf of the A3+, namely Algeria, Sierra Leone, Somalia and my own country, Guyana.

We thank SRSG Salvador, Ms. Juma, and Ms. Solages for their briefings and welcome the participation of His Excellency Jean-Victor Harvel Jean-Baptiste, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Haiti, the Permanent Representative of Haiti and His Excellency Roberto Alvarez Gil, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Dominican Republic, in the meeting.

Today’s meeting comes amidst alarming reports of a further upsurge in violence and other destabilizing activities by criminal gangs in and around Port-au-Prince. The A3+ condemns the killing of innocent civilians by armed criminal gangs and express our unwavering support and solidarity with Haiti. We extend our deepest condolences to the government and people of Haiti in the wake of the attacks carried out in Kenscoff and some neighbourhoods of Carrefour, and to the government and people of Kenya on the loss of two members of the Kenyan contingent.

We reject any attempt to disrupt or replace the transitional governance arrangements by force and violence. We urge the international community to stand firm in supporting a Haitian-led process that prioritizes peace and stability, and the restoration of democratic order in the country.

The growing insecurity has had, and continues to have, devastating consequences for the Haitian people, further compounding the humanitarian, economic and political crises and driving food and nutrition insecurity.

The A3+ commends initiatives undertaken by the national authorities, together with BINUH and other UN and international partners, to address certain gaps in the overall response to the multidimensional challenges in Haiti. We note in particular the steps taken to enhance coordination of the protection response to IDPs; improve human rights monitoring and reporting; and to strengthen protection against sexual exploitation and abuse, inter alia. We also welcome the initiative to promote the reintegration of children and youth who are in conflict with the law by strengthening the National Commission Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration.

Even as we applaud these positive developments, we must acknowledge that the security situation continues to worsen with each passing day. Therefore, the Security Council cannot resign itself to accepting the status quo. We must act now to bolster the international effort and provide necessary support to contribute to strengthening security, stability, economic and social reconstruction, as well as the rebuilding of democratic institutions in Haiti.

Mr. President,

Considering the worsening situation on the ground and the Secretary General’s letter of 24th February with strategic level recommendations and options for enhanced UN support to Haiti, the A3+ wishes to underline the following four urgent appeals:

First, progress in Haiti, on any front, including the restoration of democracy, hinges squarely on getting the security situation under control. At just 40% deployed, the MSS mission is unable to effectively carry out its mandate. The MSS must be fully deployed and adequately resourced to provide the Haitian National Police with the level of support needed to enforce order, increase the flow of humanitarian aid, and create the conditions necessary for the planned democratic elections.

Indeed, the A3+ is concerned that without any improvement in the security situation, the transitional governance arrangements may be imperiled. The A3+ therefore calls on this Council to move with alacrity in considering the options put forward by the Secretary General almost two months ago and provide further security assistance to Haiti.

Second, the funding requirements for meeting the humanitarian needs in Haiti are expanding, while the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan continues to be largely underfunded. Last year, only 44 percent of the required funding was received, limiting aid delivery. This year, Haiti’s displacement crisis has reached unprecedented levels having experienced a threefold increase in just a year.

Additionally, displaced people in some parts of the city now face massive flooding, further adding to the burden of economic hardship, insecurity, and displacement that they have been forced to endure.

Therefore, amid severe funding cuts in the humanitarian sector, the international community must redouble its efforts and strengthen cooperation and solidarity efforts at all levels in support of Haiti.

Third, the A3+ reiterates its support for regional efforts, including those of the CARICOM Eminent Persons Group, through which the Heads of State and Government of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) extend the Community's Good Offices to the Government of Haiti. The transitional governance process leading to democratic elections, which was facilitated by CARICOM with Haitian stakeholders, remains critical. We are concerned about the obstacles impeding the political process and underscore the imperative for all Haitian political stakeholders, in particular the TPC, to remain fully committed to this process, always putting the Haitian people first.

Fourth and final, the A3+ continues to call for the full and effective implementation of the sanctions regime as another tool in curbing gang violence and the illicit trafficking and diversion of arms and ammunition to Haiti. Without access to illegal weapons and ammunition, armed criminal gangs would not have been able to hold almost the entire country hostage. United Nations Member States and the Security Council have a critical role to play in ensuring that the sanctions measures are upheld and applied.

Progress is possible in Haiti, with clear unity of purpose and the combined efforts of national, regional and international stakeholders.

As I close, the A3+ will remain fully engaged in the Council’s deliberations on the situation in Haiti and looks forward to a timely and constructive engagement with fellow Council members on the Secretary General’s recommendations.

I Thank You.