The UN requests that alternatives to an international force be studied to solve the serious crisis in Haiti, given the lack of action on the part of the nations to lead this initiative.
The UN special representative for Haiti, María Isabel Salvador, told journalists on Wednesday that even the option of sending blue cases to the Caribbean country should be considered.
The diplomat recalled that it has been almost “a year” since the Haitian government asked the UN for help to restore security in the country and that the members of the organization have not yet provided an answer.
“It is normal that we begin to think about other possibilities, such as the UN peacekeepers,” said Salvador, who took office last March.
Despite the appeal of the UN Secretary General himself, António Guterres, the idea of creating a multinational force to support the Haitian police has been left in the air, with no nation offering to lead it.
Given this scenario, Salvador stressed that it is necessary for countries and international organizations to be “innovative and think in a different way” to solve the crisis in Haiti.
divisions in closure
The diplomat, however, said that she considers that the divisions regarding the Haitian situation have been closing in the UN Security Council.
“There is a general and clear perception that Haiti is in a very dangerous situation and that some kind of action needs to be taken,” he stressed.
Both Russia and China, which have veto power in the UN Security Council, have balked at the idea of sending a force to support the Haitian authorities.
Last week, the leaders of the Caribbean Community (Caricom) called during a summit in Trinidad and Tobago that it is necessary to create a “humanitarian stabilization corridor” for Haiti.
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry requested UN assistance for his country on October 7.
Since then, the security crisis has been exacerbated by political instability, a cholera epidemic and a recent earthquake, to the point that the country’s urgent humanitarian needs total $720 million / €646 million (to help 3 million people).
Between 2004 and 2017, the UN maintained a peace mission in Haiti, made up of almost 3,000 troops and led by the Brazilian Executive.
The presence of the blue helmets in the country, which shares territory with the Dominican Republic, generated much controversy since the troops were related to a strong outbreak of cholera in Haiti, as well as human rights violations and abuses.
