The Canadian government has allocated $80.5 million to a mission aimed at improving security conditions in Haiti, which has been plagued by widespread gang violence and an ongoing crisis. This funding will support a multinational security mission led by Kenya and will assist the efforts of the Haitian National Police. The money will be used for training, communications, logistics, and expertise in areas like human rights due diligence for police deployed to the mission.
It’s important to note that the international mission is not a United Nations operation, but it was authorized by the UN Security Council in October. Gangs have filled the power vacuum in Haiti following the assassination of its president in 2021, leading to a situation that the UN has described as increasingly dire. This crisis has resulted in widespread hunger, a collapse of basic health services, and disturbing accounts of sexual violence in Haiti.
The dire situation in Haiti has prompted the Canadian government to step in and contribute to a multinational security mission designed to help improve security conditions in the country. This funding will support various aspects of the mission, including training, logistics, communications, and expertise in human rights due diligence for police deployed to Haiti. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing crisis, the government of Canada is taking action to address the situation and support efforts to restore stability and security in Haiti.