Canada is opening up its wallet to support a UN-backed security mission in Haiti.
What happened: The first detachment of a Kenya-led police force landed in Haiti this week as the mission seeks to stabilize Port-au-Prince. The capital city, ~80% of which is under gang control, has been in crisis since a prime ministerial assassination in 2021.
- Per the UN, ~600,000 Haitians have been displaced this year, with an average of one person killed or injured by gang violence per hour over the first three months of 2024.
Why it matters: Canada is deeply invested in the initiative’s success, announcing this week a $5.7 million top-up to the previous $80.5 million announced in February. This is a continuation of Canada’s long-standing involvement in attempts to stabilize Haiti.
- Motivated by its close proximity and strong Haitian diaspora, for nearly 30 years Canada has participated in every UN peacekeeping mission to Haiti.
- The country has sent over $2 billion in funding — second only to the U.S. — since a devastating earthquake in 2010.
Yes, but: Despite good intentions, some critics feel the involvement of Canada and the UN has only caused further destabilization, and this new mission will continue this trend.—QH