International forces arrive in Haiti to support Kenya-led mission in restoring peace

A new group of soldiers and police arrived in Haiti on Thursday to reinforce the Kenya-led, UN-approved Multinational Security Mission aimed at restoring peace and stability in the country. The additional personnel, including officers from Jamaica and Belize, will provide essential planning, command, and logistics support in the ongoing efforts to curb violent gang activity that has taken control of 80 percent of the capital.

The head of the Kenyan police force leading the mission welcomed the reinforcements, expressing gratitude for the solidarity shown by other nations. “I would like to welcome our brothers from Jamaica and Belize for this special mission that we are undertaking,” he said.

Jamaica has committed to sending a total of 200 personnel, with this batch marking the beginning of their contribution. The Multinational Security Mission is expected to grow to 2,500 personnel, with several other countries, including Chad, the Bahamas, and Bangladesh, also pledging support.

The mission’s arrival is a beacon of hope for Haiti, which has been grappling with a humanitarian crisis exacerbated by gang violence, forcing nearly 580,000 people to flee their homes. As international support continues to grow, there is optimism that the mission will help restore order and provide relief to the 5 million people currently facing severe hunger.