Ottawa announced Thursday it will lead a cell to coordinate international aid in Haiti to better support local police forces in a country plagued by extreme gang violence.
The aim is to “improve the coordination and mobilization of international security assistance efforts, working closely with the Haitian National Police, international partners and the United Nations,” the Foreign Ministry said. release Canadian Foreign Affairs in a press release.
As a mediator between the international community and the Haitian authorities, Canada is committed to “supporting Haiti-led solutions,” Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly said.
“The situation on the ground is extremely fragile and the needs are immense,” she said.
This announcement comes more than six months after the Haitian Prime Minister issued a UN-transmitted call for an international force to fight gangs. Few countries reported being volunteers and none wanted to take the lead in such an operation.
Ottawa plans to open an office in the Dominican Republic, a country bordering Haiti, “beginning this summer” to carry out its coordination mission.
The government also announced a new investment of 13 million Canadian dollars (9 million euros) in United Nations programs in support of the Haitian police force.
It comes on top of the $100 million announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March during US President Joe Biden’s visit.
Canada’s foreign minister also added two former senators to the list of Haitian elites who have been sanctioned over allegations of gang support, bringing the total to 21 people.