Carlos Ruiz Massieu, head of the UN office in Haiti (BINUH), addressed ambassadors about the ongoing gang violence, humanitarian crisis, and anticipated political transition in the country. He emphasized the dire circumstances but acknowledged the resilience of the Haitian people. Massieu highlighted the unprecedented scale of displacement, with over 1.4 million people affected, and the concerning human rights situation tied to gang violence and security operations.
Regarding the political transition, Massieu expressed concern over the lack of a stable path towards democratic governance, with a power transfer to elected officials expected by February 7 next year. He praised the Haitian authorities for consulting political representatives to prevent a political vacuum and stressed the importance of sustained inter-Haitian dialogue. BINUH is set to provide support for the elections.
Massieu welcomed the Security Council-supported Gang Suppression Force and urged measures to enhance security and protect vulnerable communities, especially children. He noted the challenging security environment’s impact on international partners but is committed to achieving full staff presence in the capital. Massieu underscored the importance of translating international support into tangible progress to curb the violence.
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