UN Secretary General pledges more assistance to address crisis in Haiti

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, plans to continue his push for a robust international security force in Haiti. He made his position known as he addressed the 45^th Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in Trinidad and Tobago.

Arriving in the Twin Island Republic from Haiti, the UN Secretary-General said the security situation in the French speaking CARICOM country is appalling, with its humanitarian needs constantly soaring at a time when there is no political solution in sight.

But Mr Guterres said he is optimistic that things will get better, promising to do more to help the people of Haiti.

“I will continue to push for a robust international security force – authorized by the Security ‎Council – to be able to help to help the Haitian national police to defeat and dismantle the gangs, and I reiterate my call to all partners to increase support for the national police in the form of financing, training, and equipment,” the UN Secretary-General said.

Urging greater support for the Haitian people, the UN Secretary General noted that the UN’s humanitarian appeal is only funded at 23 per cent. “It is a tragedy within a tragedy,” he said.

CARICOM leaders, he said, continue to play a leading role in offering support to the people of Haiti. However, he warned that there can be no lasting security without strengthened democratic institutions, and further, there can be no strong democratic institutions without a drastic improvement in the security situation.

“You have advanced cooperation on every front – from economic and social development … to fighting illegal drugs and arms trafficking… to combatting non-communicable diseases … to advancing gender equality. And, of course, you have championed climate action and focused attention on the plight of Small Island Developing States,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General said the region’s debt burdens have grown heavier with access to global capital markets worsening dramatically. Mr Guterres said to further compound the situation, climate emergency continues to escalate – threatening the very existence of small island and low-lying coastal states.

To cushion the impact, the UN Secretary-General said the SDG Stimulus for investments in sustainable development and climate action should be offered, in addition to the establishment of an enhanced and effective debt relief mechanism.

New financial tools, such as swaps that convert debts into investments in climate adaptation, should also be utilized. he said.

“An increase in the capital base of Multilateral Development Banks and a change in their business model with a new approach to risk to be able to leverage more private finance at a reasonable cost in support of developing countries. And redressing a core injustice facing middle-income countries: the continued lack of access to concessional financing because of allocation metrics that ignore vulnerabilities to shocks such as financial crises or climate-related disasters,” he said.

The UN Secretary-General said he fully supports the Community’s call for a Multidimensional Vulnerability Index.

Underscoring as well the need to address the climate crisis, Mr Guterres endorsed the proposed Climate Solidarity Pact – in which all big emitters make extra efforts to cut emissions; and wealthier countries support emerging economies to do so.

He said developed countries must also finally make good on their financial commitments to developing countries – including by meeting the $100 billion goal, doubling adaptation finance, replenishing the Green Climate Fund, and operationalizing the loss and damage fund this year.