Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader urged global leaders to intensify efforts to stabilize Haiti, citing its crucial role for the security of his country and the entire region. In his address to the United Nations General Assembly, he revealed the substantial impact of the Haitian crisis on Dominican public services and highlighted the need for full deployment of the Multinational Security Support Mission to restore peace.
President Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic addressed the United Nations General Assembly, emphasizing the urgency of stabilizing Haiti for the sake of regional security. In his speech, he articulated the fact that the ongoing crisis in Haiti significantly affects the Dominican Republic and its neighboring countries, thereby necessitating international intervention. He revealed alarming statistics, noting that, in 2023, medical care provided to Haitian immigrants accounted for 9.9 percent of the Dominican Republic’s health services. Between 2019 and March 2024, a considerable number of patients of Haitian descent have utilized the public hospital network. Furthermore, approximately 200,000 foreign minors are currently enrolled in the Dominican public educational system, with an estimated 147,906 originating from Haiti. These figures underscore the Dominican Republic’s commitment to solidarity, yet President Abinader firmly stated, “but we cannot do it alone.” Abinader acknowledged the emergence of a possible pathway towards peace in Haiti, attributed to the establishment of a Presidential Transitional Council and the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS). However, he expressed concern over the inadequate deployment of MSS personnel, indicating that only 400 of the anticipated 1,000 officers have been assigned thus far. He criticized the slow financial response regarding the resources necessary for the complete deployment of peacekeeping forces. “It is unacceptable,” he asserted, “that at this point, countries that have had an impact on the Haitian situation or that have committed to solving it have not fully fulfilled their promises.” The Dominican leader expressed gratitude towards Kenya for providing law enforcement, as well as to the United States for its assistance with funding and logistics. He also recognized the contributions from Jamaica, the Bahamas, and El Salvador, in addition to Caricom’s role in fostering dialogue and consensus pertaining to Haiti.
The situation in Haiti has been precarious for several years, leading to significant humanitarian challenges. Political instability, economic deterioration, and insecurity have escalated, prompting a reaction from neighboring countries, particularly the Dominican Republic. As many Haitian refugees seek assistance in the Dominican Republic, the implications for public health and education systems are substantial. The international community has been called upon to assist Haiti in achieving stabilization and security, particularly as the country prepares for elections.
In conclusion, President Abinader’s appeal to the international community underlines the pressing need for cooperative efforts to stabilize Haiti, which is critical for ensuring security within the region. The Dominican Republic’s extensive support for Haitian immigrants amid the crisis highlights the importance of collaborative action to address these challenges effectively. Abinader’s call for fulfillment of international commitments indicates a hope for enhanced global solidarity towards resolving the Haitian crisis.
Original Source: caribbean.loopnews.com
