Guterres calls for urgent consideration of Haiti’s request to deploy international troops

The United Nations Secretary General, António Guterres, has asked this Sunday the International Community to urgently consider the Haitian Government’s request to deploy international troops in the Caribbean country to fight the humanitarian crisis.

Guterres’ spokesman, Stáphane Dujarric, explained that the secretary general has submitted to the Security Council a letter with options for improving security support to Haiti, according to a UN statement.

“The Secretary-General urges the International Community, including the members of the Security Council, to consider as a matter of urgency the request of the Haitian Government for the immediate deployment of a specialized international armed force,” reads the letter from the international organization.

In this sense, the objective is for these international troops to “address the humanitarian crisis, including ensuring the free movement of water, fuel, food and medical supplies from major ports and airports to communities and health centers,” it explains.

In addition, Guterres has called on “Haitian stakeholders to overcome their differences and engage, without further delay, in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue,” after expressing “deep concern about the situation.”

The UN has also reiterated its support for the people of Haiti to support “efforts to build consensus, reduce violence and promote stability in the country.”

Haiti’s Council of Ministers on Friday approved a resolution calling for an intervention of foreign forces in Haiti and its military forces to address the humanitarian crisis caused, among other things, “by the insecurity resulting from the criminal actions of armed gangs and their sponsors,” reports ‘Gazette Haiti’.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry on Thursday called for “help and accompaniment” amid fears of a “hecatomb” in the country, which is affected by supply blockades, protests, violence and a recent cholera outbreak.

Tension has flared up since the withdrawal of fuel subsidies, which has doubled prices in a few days. More than 40 percent of the population was already in need of humanitarian aid before the outbreak of the umpteenth crisis in the poorest country in the Western hemisphere.