High-Level Meeting in Washington addresses Haiti Crisis, calls for increased support

Washington DC, 8 February 2023 (TDI): The UN ad hoc advisory group (ECOSOC) organized a high-level meeting with North and Latin American States today in Washington DC.

In the meeting, the ad hoc advisory group along with American states pressed for increased support for Haiti’s stability and sustainable development amidst the humanitarian crisis.

In the high-level meeting, Ambassadors from 18 countries met with the International Monetary Fund, The World Bank, and Inter-American Development Bank to underscore the importance of working together to support Haiti.

The ad hoc advisory group on Haiti also discussed with the Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General the importance of enhancing international coordination to support Haiti in addressing its multi-dimensions crisis.

Enhancing cooperation and assistance for Haiti

Regional Countries along with UN and Monetary organizations are deeply concerned about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Haiti. Approximately half of the Haitian population needs urgent humanitarian assistance.

The continued blockade of roads, ports, and the main oil terminal has led to preventable deaths by armed gangs.

The regional community along with the UN, monetary organizations, and local civil society are keen to strengthen their support for the humanitarian and cholera response in Haiti, including by contributing to the 2022 Haiti Humanitarian Response Plan.

The Plan has received only 36 percent of its $373.2 million requirements and to any forthcoming humanitarian appeals, as well as to help address the other multidimensional challenges faced by the country.

Furthermore, it’s also decided to act quickly to restore security in Haiti to enable the flow of humanitarian assistance.

Besides this, the American states strongly support UN Security Council resolution 2653 which established a new sanctions regime for
Haiti.

Also read: Canada calls for action on the situation in Haiti

If the resolution is effectively implemented, this regime will hold accountable the gang, political and business leaders who have contributed to this humanitarian crisis, and those who finance them.

To address the political crisis in the country, the international community encourages and welcomes the national authorities, civil society, political representatives, and the private sector to engage in the national dialogue.