US ambassador to UN announces $60M humanitarian aid package to Haiti

PORT-AU-PRINCE — U.S. Ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, announced Monday $60 million in humanitarian aid and additional armored vehicles for Haiti. The announcement followed her visit to the Multionational Security and Support (MSS) mission base in Port-au-Prince and meetings with Haitian transitional authorities. She emphasized the aid’s purpose to support the Haitian people’s pursuit of a safer, more prosperous and democratic future.

“This assistance has one purpose: to help deliver on the needs of the Haitian people and their pursuit of a safer, more prosperous, and democratic future,” Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield posted on X, during her brief visit to Haiti. 

During her visit, Thomas-Greenfield, accompanied by Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Affairs Brian Nichols and U.S. Ambassador in Haiti Dennis B. Hanks, praised the installation of the MSS survival zone, crucial for training and supporting mission personnel and aiding Haitian police efforts to restore peace in the nation. She met with Haitian Prime Minister Garry Conille, the Transitional Presidential Council (CPT), human rights defenders and the U.N. team in Haiti.

The visit coincided with escalating violence, including recent attacks by the 400 Mawozo armed gang, resulting in significant casualties and destruction in Ganthier during the weekend. Between June 30 and On July 1, other attacks orchestrated by Jimmy “Barbecue” Chérizier’s Viv Ansanm gang coalition killed at least 28 people and set fire to police stations in Gressier and Carrefour. 

Worrying humanitarian crisis demands urgent actions, international organizations say

The aid announcement came six days after international organizations, including the UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), UNICEF and European Union Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Service, highlighted the impact of insecurity and deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Haiti, with nearly five million facing acute famine and 600,000 displaced due to gang violence. 

The international organizations called for urgent actionsfrom member countries  to support  the 2024 Humanitarian Response Plan that remains underfunded, with less than a quarter of the $674 million appeal met by donors.

Meanwhile, the Kenya-led MSS mission, authorized by the U.N. Security Council in October 2023, still faces financial and logistical challenges to be fully deployed on the ground. 

Despite the deployment of  400 Kenyan police officers etween June 25 and July 16 , other countries have yet to fulfill their troop commitments to the 2,500-member mission due to financial constraints. The mission, which requires $600 million for one year, is currently short by $188 million even if the pledged financial support from the U.S., Canada, France, and Japan is fully realized. As of the end of June, the mission’s fund managed by a UN trust had only raised $21 million 

Amid the alarming the situation, Haitian transitional authorities have declared a state of security emergency in affected areas and requested the gradual start of police operations with the assistance of Kenyan police officers. Prime Minister Conille reaffirmed his commitment to improving the lives of Haitians, with U.S. support for governance reforms, crime reduction,and human rights protection.

“We met with one of our most important partners to discuss a little about the support that the United States is giving us in this transition period,” said Prime Minister Conille, reaffirming his mission to improve the existence of the Haitian population. 

For his part, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield expressed satisfaction with the meetings and reiterated U.S. support for Haiti’s democratic transition and security. She appreciated the CPT and new government’s efforts towards transparency and democratic elections.

“We’re here to reaffirm our steadfast support for Haiti’s democratic transition and the safety and security of all Haitians,” the U.S. diplomat said. “Our commitment to Haiti includes supporting governance reforms, reducing crime, and protecting human rights.”

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