U.S, Canada deliver armoured vehicles to Haiti 

The United States and Canada have delivered tactical and armored vehicles as well as other supplies to the Haitian National Police (HNP) to help combat criminal gangs.

The United States and Canada stepped in to transport the Haitian government-purchased equipment when the company faced delivery delays, a State Department spokesperson said, adding that Washington would continue efforts to strengthen the Haitian police.

 “This equipment will assist the HNP in their fight against criminal actors who are fomenting violence and disrupting the flow of critically needed humanitarian assistance, hindering efforts to halt the spread of cholera,” the U.S. and Canadian governments said in a joint statement.

Haitians are experiencing catastrophic hunger because of gangsters blockading a major fuel terminal, U.N. officials said on Friday, with more than 4 million facing acute food insecurity.

A coalition of gangs has prevented the distribution of diesel and gasoline for over a month to protest a plan to cut fuel subsidies.

Most transport is halted, with looting and gang shootouts becoming increasingly common.

The U.N. Security Council is considering imposing sanctions on anyone who threatens the peace and stability of Haiti.

Also Read: Gunmen assassinate Haitian President, state of emergency declared

U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for an international force to help Haiti’s police remove the threat posed by gangs.

The U.S. and Mexico-drafted resolution would take note of Guterres’ letter and encourage “the immediate deployment of a multinational rapid action force to support the HNP, as recommended in the Secretary-General’s letter.”

The 15-member Security Council could vote as early as Monday on the draft resolution, diplomats said.

To be adopted a resolution needs nine votes in favor and no vetoes by permanent members Russia, China, the United States, France, or Britain.

Zainab Sa’id