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The United States has pledged an additional $160 million in aid to Haiti as part of international efforts to combat the escalating gang violence and improve security in the country. The announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken during a ministerial meeting on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Wednesday.
The new funds will be directed towards enhancing security, economic development, and healthcare initiatives, according to the U.S. State Department. This latest pledge brings the total U.S. aid to Haiti to $1.3 billion since 2021, underscoring the U.S.’s commitment to addressing the crisis in the Caribbean nation.
The aid announcement follows the deployment of an international security mission, led by Kenya, to help stabilize Haiti, where violent gangs continue to control large parts of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and other regions. Despite these efforts, Garry Conille, Haiti’s interim prime minister, stressed the need for further international assistance. “We’re nowhere near winning this,” he said, acknowledging the critical role external partners play in the mission’s success.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concern over insufficient funding for the security mission. He called the current level of financial support, with the trust fund for the mission standing at $85.3 million, “totally inadequate.” Guterres urged countries that have made financial commitments to deliver on their promises promptly.
Edgard Leblanc Fils, head of Haiti’s transitional council, reiterated the country’s need for more personnel and equipment to resolve the security crisis and enable future elections. The persistent violence has severely hindered the country’s ability to stabilize and move forward politically.
In addition to the aid, the U.S. also imposed sanctions on two Haitian individuals linked to the gangs responsible for much of the violence. Prophane Victor, a former parliament member, was sanctioned for his role in supporting and arming gangs. Luckson Elan, leader of the notorious “Gran Grif” gang, was designated for his involvement in human rights abuses connected to gang activity.
