[Media Advisory] UN Peacekeeping Mission Needs Support to Maintain Security in Haiti

For Immediate Release
Media Advisory
January 15, 2010

More than ever before MINUSTAH, the UN peacekeeping force in Haiti, needs the support of countries like Canada to ensure security in the aftermath of this week’s earthquake.

“Long term security and political stability in the country must be ensured by a legitimate, credible and multilateral force approved by the UN Security Council,” according to Fergus Watt, Chair of the Canadian Peace Operations Working Group, a network of Canadian civil society organizations. “The UN mission must take the lead role in coordinating the security efforts in the country. Canada, and all UN member states, should make clear that its deployment in Haiti is fully coordinated with MINUSTAH.”

At a press briefing yesterday, United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon reiterated that, “All the international aid and assistance should be coordinated with MINUSTAH, the United Nations.”

As Canada boosts its efforts to bring much needed relief to the ravaged country, it needs to do so in such a way as to reinforce the UN stabilization mission. Already, police across Canada have reportedly volunteered to go to Haiti to bolster Canadian police officers stationed with MINUSTAH.

Prior to the earthquake, Canada already had a significant presence within MINUSTAH, contributing close to 90 troops and police officers out of a total UN force of 9000. The UN has requested more assets from countries to deal with the current situation.

According to Dominic Leger, Coordinator of the Peace Operations Working Group, “We welcome efforts made by the Government of Canada to send Canada’s Disaster Assistance Response Team and other troop commitments. In the medium to long term we hope that this will lead to lasting commitments on the part of Canada to boost MINUSTAH.”