Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau Discusses Haiti with CARICOM

Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau took part in CARICOM emergency meetings on Friday, October 21st, together with CARICOM chairman and Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, to talk about the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian and security situation in Haiti.

The leaders expressed their profound worries about the ongoing upheaval and misery, notably the violence carried out by armed gangs against Haitians in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas.

The leaders of CARICOM were given an update by Trudeau on Canada’s aid to Haiti and the evaluation of the present situation. He emphasized recent assistance for Haiti, including combined airlift operations with the United States to supply tactical and armored vehicles and equipment to the Haitian National Police to help restore security and stability.

Trudeau mentioned the establishment of the Joint Program for the Haitian National Police United Nations Development Program basket fund, with seed funding of $10 million from Canada and $3 million from the United States, and he urged CARICOM members to contribute to it.

The leaders talked about how gang blockades, like the one at the Varreux terminal, are escalating the humanitarian catastrophe by preventing access to the gasoline, water, and medications that are urgently required to address Haiti’s mounting cholera cases and food insecurity.

At the emergency meetings, the leaders also talked about the necessity of sanctions to end Haiti’s cycle of corruption, stop support for armed gangs, and penalize those accountable for the disaster.

Prime Minister Trudeau praised CARICOM for its leadership and dedication to resolving the intricate humanitarian, security, and political issues that Haiti is currently experiencing.

In response, CARICOM leaders emphasized the significance of Canada’s dedication to close cooperation with CARICOM and other regional and global partners in order to find a long-term solution to Haiti’s stability and sustainable development.

The leaders highlighted the necessity of continuing their close collaboration in order to address Haiti’s urgent humanitarian and security needs as well as to support an inclusive, Haitian-led political discussion leading to free and fair elections as soon as feasible.