The US ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, visited crisis-stricken Haiti on Monday, where she announced an additional $60 million in humanitarian aid and received updates on the Kenya-led security support mission. During her day-long trip, Thomas-Greenfield held discussions with Haiti’s transitional presidential council and new Prime Minister Garry Conille.
“Haitians deserve free and fair elections and a government that is truly accountable to the people,” she stated at a press conference. She also revealed that $60 million in funding, provided via USAID, will support additional security assets and humanitarian assistance for Haiti. This funding, which will be used for food, water, shelter, and other essential needs, comes on top of the $105 million previously committed by the United States.
Thomas-Greenfield’s visit followed the recent deployment of Kenyan police officers patrolling parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Kenya is sending hundreds of police officers as part of an international force to help Haiti address its rising insecurity.
The country has been plagued by gang violence, which worsened dramatically in late February when armed groups launched coordinated attacks in Port-au-Prince, aiming to overthrow then-Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
Henry, who was unelected and unpopular, stepped down in April, transferring control to the transitional government responsible for leading the country toward its first elections since 2016.
Last week, Prime Minister Conille announced emergency measures to combat unrest in 14 communes under gang control. The UN-approved, Kenya-led mission will include 2,500 personnel from countries such as Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, the Bahamas, and Barbados, and will have an initial duration of one year.
While the United States has ruled out sending troops, it is providing funding and logistical support to the mission, including a significant number of armored vehicles.
The violence in Port-au-Prince has severely impacted food security and access to humanitarian aid, with much of the city under the control of gangs accused of committing murder, rape, looting, and kidnappings.
