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The United States has approved $40.7 million in foreign assistance exemptions for Haiti’s National Police (HNP) and the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced.
The aid includes logistical contracts, vehicle maintenance, medical services for HNP personnel, transportation support for equipment deliveries, and expert advisory services. Additionally, the U.S. delivered heavy armored equipment to the MSS and the HNP in Port-au-Prince.
The approval follows concerns over recent reports suggesting the U.S. had suspended all assistance to the MSS, a multinational force led by Kenya. The U.S. government has denied these claims, clarifying that while $15 million in contributions to a UN trust fund were paused, they represent less than 3% of the total U.S. financial support for the mission.
Despite speculation, the MSS maintains that its operations remain uninterrupted. Commander-in-Chief Godfrey Otunge stated that the temporary suspension of a $13 million U.S. contribution is part of a broader review of U.S. development aid. He assured that the MSS continues to receive strong backing from other contributing nations.
“The MSS mission remains a priority for the U.S. government. Structural adjustments are expected as part of the 90-day review process,” Otunge said.
Kenya, which leads the MSS, has dismissed concerns that the temporary freeze on U.S. funds could jeopardize its operations. Kenyan government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura confirmed that the mission has sufficient resources to sustain operations until September.
“The claim that U.S. funding cuts will endanger MSS operations is false and lacks factual basis,” Mwaura stated in an official communication.
For now, the MSS remains operational, and Haiti’s security partners, including Kenya and the U.S., affirm their ongoing commitment to stabilizing the country.
