Haiti Mission: Kenya & Other Countries Offered Another Ksh 14B

The United States Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that an additional Ksh14 billion (USD 100 million) will be offered to support Haiti Mission.

While speaking in Kingston Jamaica on Monday, March 11, Blinken indicated that the United States government would double the amount that had been earlier given to Kenya as it leads troops in the mission. 

According to him, the situation in Haiti had remained challenging and difficult adding that it had continued to deteriorate therefore the support was needed more than ever. 

“What we’ve seen in recent days, again, should remind us that the already challenging and difficult security situation has now deteriorated even further and makes the Multinational Support Mission even more important than ever. 

“Given this increasingly urgent need, I’m announcing today that the United States Department of Defense is doubling its approved support for the mission from Ksh14 billion ($100 million) to Ksh28 billion ($200 million), and that brings the total U.S. support to Ksh32 billion ($300 million) for this effort,” he said. 

Also Read: Boost for Ruto as U.S Pledges Ksh14 Billion for Haiti Operation

US on Additional Effort to the Haiti Mission 

Also, he said that the United Nations Security Council had reaffirmed a collective commitment to deploy it as quickly as possible.

Therefore, it would issue additional humanitarian support for Haiti including Ksh4.5 billion for food and health security. 

“I’m also announcing additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Haiti: $33 million to further support their health and food security.

“All of us know that only the Haitian people can, only the Haitian people should determine their own future, not anyone else. But all of us here, CARICOM, the United States, our other partners, we can help restore a foundation of security that can address the tremendous suffering,” he said.

Also Read: Haiti Prime Minister Resigns as Gangs Reign Terror

Haiti Prime Minister Resigns

On Tuesday, March 12, the chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICIOM) and Guyana President Mohamed Irfaan Ali announced that Haiti’s Prime Minister Ariel Henry issued his resignation.

“We acknowledge his resignation upon the establishment of a transitional presidential council and naming of an interim prime minister,” said Ali.

Following the meeting held in Jamaica, it was decided that a seven-member presidential panel responsible for selecting an interim Prime Minister to succeed Henry will be appointed.

Two observers will be appointed to support the Prime Minister in governing Haiti and supervising the transition towards upcoming elections.

Gangs in Haiti had been demanding for his resignation and escalated violence to force him out. During Henry’s trip to Kenya, armed gangs burnt down police stations and released thousands of inmates from two prisons.