Haiti, a French-speaking Caribbean country, requires the world’s attention, Prime Minister Andrew Holness said to a diplomatic gathering on Tuesday, only a day after returning from a Caricom trip there.
Before the official report, the prime minister provided his initial impressions on the Haiti mission during a Diplomatic Week event at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade.
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According to Holness, “All stakeholders that we have spoken to [in Haiti] have pointed out the emergency situation they face with security and safety of their citizens.”
He emphasized that despite his belief that “Haiti has institutions that are functioning,” these institutions are under threat.
The PM added, “And with the right support, with the right attention, Haiti can overcome its challenges.”
The prime minister declared: “I remain hopeful for the Haitians, and Jamaica and Caricom stand in solidarity with them. And we will continue to use our good offices and give whatever support we have in bringing global attention to the situation in Haiti and in supporting the Haitian people in reaching consensus and resolution of their challenges.”
In response, Senator Kamina Johnson Smith, the minister of foreign affairs and foreign trade, who was also a member of the mission, said: “We are deeply concerned about our Haitian brothers and sisters and we are working with our partners to treat the matter with the urgency that it deserves.”
She stated that yesterday’s sessions were “well received” and “we look forward to discussing them formally within the wider Caricom body and beyond”.
His Excellency Neville Gertze of the Republic of Namibia stated that there is an “urgent need” for improved multilateralism, one that “is built on caring for one another, “is based on caring for one another”.
Gertze noted, “spotlight to the crisis in Haiti. When the focus of the world is elsewhere, we should ensure that we do not leave others out. We should ensure that inclusivity is the order of the day, and we recognize the efforts you are [making].”
In an effort to find a way to forge a consensus for the restoration of political and security stability in the nation, the leaders of Caricom met with government representatives and members of civil society in high-level meetings on Monday in Haiti.
This was in addition to a security-related discussion with Canada.
Along with meeting with political parties, civil society, the commercial sector, and religious organizations, the Caricom team also had meetings with the High Transition Council and the Political Accord groups.
Under the theme of “‘Transcending Borders, Strengthening Partnerships, Advancing Development,” Jamaica is celebrating Diplomatic Week.
The program for the week is being attended by more than 50 Heads of Mission, both local and non-resident.
