By LEANDRA ROLLE
Tribune Staff Reporter
lrrolle@tribunemedia.net
UNITED States Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed the US support for developing a multinational security force to address the crisis in Haiti while announcing humanitarian assistance for the nation.
During a meeting with CARICOM leaders yesterday, VP Harris said: “First, I will say that our hearts go out to those who have lost loved ones and all who have been impacted by just this week alone, the flooding and the earthquake.”
“The international community must continue to support the Haitian people in light of the devastating humanitarian and security crisis in that country.”
Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry, who attended yesterday’s meeting, looked on as Vice President Harris announced $53.7m in new humanitarian funding.
The money will help to provide food assistance as 4.9 million people face “acute food insecurity”.
Mrs Harris also revealed that the Biden administration would support the extension of HOPE-HELP trade preferences for Haiti, which she said are up for renewal in 2025.
“Finally, in response to longstanding requests from our Caribbean partners, I am pleased to announce that the Biden-Harris administration has begun the process to establish an expanded diplomatic presence in the eastern Caribbean, including two new embassies,” she said.
This latest assistance from the US comes months after CARICOM member states agreed to provide direct support to the Haitian National Police (HNP) to help restore peace.
In February, CARICOM leaders discussed the issue during a three-day CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting held in The Bahamas.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also committed Canada to send navy vessels to conduct surveillance, gather intelligence and maintain a maritime presence off the Haitian coast during that meeting.
“From the climate crisis to development financing to security and Haiti and diplomatic presence,” Vice President Harris said, “we have achieved substantial progress in the last two years based on shared priorities, many of which have been formed and discussed through these convenings that we have had over the last two years.”
Comments
realitycheck242 1 year, 6 months ago
Why does Haiti only worth measly millions and Ukraine has worth hundreds of BILLIONS since the war started last year .....Is it because Haiti does not have Russia on its door steps.....What am i missing ?
GodSpeed 1 year, 6 months ago
Be thankful they get anything because they're entitled to nothing.
John 1 year, 6 months ago
Where is the BILLIONS in aid that was pledged to Haiti since the earthquake and thevUS has been withholding? BILLIONS!! Now they send the lady, who means well, bearing measly gifts , one for $50 million for Haiti. Will the Caribbean leaders sit and cheer when the US comes back into this territory playing mind games and bambozzling the people again? Are these leaders supposed to bow to Uncle Sam and say on behalf of Haiti ‘ Thank you, o mister, master, sir?’ How much aid has the US given the Ukraine since the Russian war began? Keep your measly $50 million and give Haiti the billions you been holding from them!
realitycheck242 1 year, 6 months ago
Since the war began, the Biden administration and the U.S. Congress have directed more than $75 billion in assistance to Ukraine, which includes humanitarian, financial, and military support, according to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, a German research institute.19 May 2023
GodSpeed 1 year, 6 months ago
Give them Billions for what? To make more Haitians we have to support? I got an idea, want America to give Haiti Billions? Then send the fighting age Haitian males to go fight Russia in Ukraine, they'll probably give up some money then.
John 1 year, 6 months ago
Why don’t you send your dumb ass kids there to fight for other people’s things? Haiti has enough resources ( like oil and gold and produce) to support its own people. But The US and Canada and France will not release the stranglehold they had in Haiti since that country and its people fought for and paid for their freedom. But look what is happening now. The Haitians are going to America and occupying from Florida to New York. From California to the East Coast and no one can stop them. And what does the Bible say about this; “ I will judge that strange land that enslaved your forefathers and mistreated you. And you ( the descendants of slaves) shall come out of that country with great riches!!’ If slavery was real, then reparations for slavery must also be real. If racial abuse and discrimination was and still is real, then the judgment for these sins must also be real and tge 600 years for slavery and racism must also be great… let us pray, amen!
ExposedU2C 1 year, 6 months ago
Seems everyone but you knows that the Clinton Foundation kept for the Clinton family clan, i.e., Bill, Hillary and Chelsea, the mega millions in donations that it solicited and received in the immediate aftermath of the major earthquake Haiti experienced in 2010.
John 1 year, 6 months ago
It probably cost the US more than $50 million to send Kamala Harris to The BaHAMAS to say ‘cheeeesseee!’ May as well let her gin visit her daddy people in yard da same time. Yea man! Wat a gwan? Jamaica, no problem!
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