The United States and Canada on Wednesday, July 3, raised concerns that the international community needed to walk the talk when it came to contributing to the Kenyan-led mission in Haiti.
During a United Nations Security Council meeting, member nations were appraised that only Ksh2.7 billion (USD21 Million) had been raised out of a target of Ksh12 billion (USD118 million) pledge.
The Council approved the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti on October 2, 2023, with a resolution for member nations to deposit the required cash in a United Nations Trust Fund.
“We call on all international partners to do more and give more,” the US ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-Greenfield spoke of the paltry amount raised.
She urged that the money would ensure that Haitians get a deserved peace and stability that would ensure they go to work, school, or a house of worship without the threat of violence.
The UN Security Council deliberated on the challenges the Kenyan-led mission would encounter should the pledged money not be raised soon.
Kenya is supposed to send an additional 600 police officers to Haiti with six other countries showing willingness to deploy police officers to the troubled Caribbean nation.
The multinational security support mission will be in jeopardy without adequate support from the United Nations member states.
“Member states have to walk the talk when it comes to supporting the mission,” Canadian Ambassador to the United Nations Bob Rae urged the international community not to jeopardise the mission.
Ambassador Rae remarked that Haiti, just like any other country, requires peace and stability and that can be achieved through the multinational force that is expected to wrestle the island from violent gangs.
On its part, the United States has supported the Kenyan police contingent with training as well as the construction of barracks.
Additionally, from the Pentagon stockpile, the US has been able to equip the Kenyan police with modern military equipment.
