CARICOM Chair and Jamaican Prime Minister, Dr. Andrew Holness, has referred to as on regional leaders to redouble efforts within the worldwide enviornment to revive peace and safety in Haiti, warning that momentum for motion is slowing and the nation stays on the mercy of violent gangs.
“We can’t be true to our CARICOM rules if we don’t redouble our efforts within the worldwide group to garner help for the mission in Haiti. We can’t depart our brothers and sisters in Haiti on the mercy of gangs,” Dr. Holness said throughout the opening ceremony of the forty ninth Common Assembly of the Convention of Heads of Authorities of CARICOM, held on July 6 on the Montego Bay Conference Centre in St. James.
Dr. Holness emphasised that the deployment of a multinational drive, coupled with long-term growth initiatives, is important to stabilizing the French-speaking nation. He pledged to prioritize regional safety and the welfare of the Haitian individuals all through his time period as CARICOM Chair.
Echoing these issues, Prime Minister of Barbados, Hon. Mia Mottley, criticized the worldwide group’s sluggish response to what she described as one of many world’s most pressing humanitarian crises.
“Extra individuals have been killed final yr in Haiti than in every other nation on Earth, together with conflict zones. Regardless of guarantees, the worldwide help stays inadequate, and the struggling continues – displacement, meals insecurity, and lack of life,” Mottley mentioned.
Whereas acknowledging the latest deployment of Kenyan troops to help Haiti’s nationwide police, Mottley confused that the mission requires extra than simply personnel. “With out satisfactory tools, assets, and sustained worldwide dedication, such efforts will fall quick,” she warned. She urged practical, trustworthy conversations about what’s achievable, and for accelerated motion to forestall additional struggling.
CARICOM Secretary-Common, Dr. Carla Barnett, reminded delegates that the regional motion is anchored in unity and shared accountability. “We stand resolutely collectively, supporting the hopes and aspirations of all our residents,” she mentioned, underlining that Haiti’s disaster calls for collective Caribbean resolve.
Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, added that CARICOM’s unity should not waver, declaring, “No CARICOM nation, no matter dimension or financial capability, should be left behind.”
The three-day summit, hosted in Montego Bay, continues with high-level discussions on regional safety, financial integration, local weather resilience, and coordinated efforts to handle Haiti’s deepening disaster.
