‘Security situation in Haiti is appalling’ says UN Secretary-General
/ Our Today
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UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres says he will continue to push for a robust international security force, authorized by the Security Council, to help the Haitian national police to defeat and dismantle gangs.
Guterres who was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 45th Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM held in Trinidad and Tobago on Monday (July 3) said, “I am coming here from Haiti. The security situation is appalling, humanitarian needs are soaring, and there is not yet the political solution in sight. But I came with hope and optimism. It is impossible to look at the crisis without seeing the long shadow of centuries of colonial exploitation, extortion, dictatorship and other screaming injustices.”
Highlighting the lack of funding for humanitarian efforts, The UN Secretary-General said that humanitarian appeal is funded at 23 per cent which he described as ‘a tragedy within a tragedy.’
He also called for greater engagement to increase support for the Haitian National Police in the form of financing, training, and equipment.
“Let’s be clear- there can be no lasting security without strengthened democratic institutions – and there can be no strong democratic institutions without a drastic improvement in the security situation,” he said.
Guterres underscored that the challenges in Haiti require greater engagement and greater solidarity, which is the founding spirit of CARICOM.
“You have advanced cooperation on every front – from economic and social development … to fighting illegal drugs and arms trafficking… to combatting non-communicable diseases … to advancing gender equality,” he said.
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