Haiti: Speech by the High Representative/Vice-President Josep Borrell at the EP plenary on the situation in the country

Madam President, Honourable Members of the European Parliament,

The political, social, and humanitarian crisis in Haiti continues unabated, with the dire situation exacerbated by the surge in violence perpetrated by armed gangs, notably in the past few months.

This rampant insecurity, which severely hinders the capacity of state institutions to function, is alarming. Reports from the UN Integrated Office in Haiti paint a bleak picture.

Lawless gang violence has permeated all aspects of daily life, particularly in Port-au-Prince, where human rights abuses have reached unprecedented levels. Approximately 80% of the capital is under the direct control of gangs, leading to the closure of major ports and the airport. The consequences of these closures on the imports of food and medical supplies are disastrous.

Regional dynamics also play a crucial role, with illicit firearms fuelling gang-related activities and drug trafficking across the Caribbean and towards Europe.

Violence has also spread to rural areas and essential services, with hospitals and schools becoming targets of violence.

Haitian women bear a disproportionate burden of this crisis, with cases of gender-based violence and rape increasing dramatically. The situation has forced the internal displacement of hundreds of thousands of people, including a significant number of children.

This violence has translated into an acute humanitarian crisis and millions of Haitians require urgent humanitarian assistance.

We continue to support the people in Haiti by any means in our power. Working with humanitarian partners and despite huge security and logistic challenges, the European Union committed nearly €40 million in humanitarian aid in the last two years and is committing €20 million more in 2024. In April, an EU Humanitarian Air Bridge was launched and has successfully delivered 62 tons of medical supplies and relief items from our stockpile in Panama to Haiti.

It is also imperative to curtail the flow of illicit arms and strengthen law enforcement and border control measures. The European Union supports the training, equipment, and customs control efforts of the Haitian National Police through our €3 million contribution to the UNDP-managed Basket fund.

Amidst this crisis, political negotiations continue, although maybe too slowly. We congratulate our partners in CARICOM for their continuous efforts in bringing the main Haitian stakeholders together to pursue this dialogue.

Progress has been made with a power-sharing agreement reached in Kingston Jamaica, on 11 March, on the establishment of a transitional governance structure, with the appointment of a new Transitional Presidential Council and of its members.

This is an important step as it opens the way for the deployment of a Multinational Security Support Mission, to strengthen the efforts of the Haitian National Police in its fight against the gangs, restore the rule of law and the basic security conditions in the country, and ultimately pave the way for the holding of free and fair elections. The European Union stands ready to provide its support to the broader objectives of this mission.

The process is not yet complete. We urge all Haitian political forces to continue the work, by appointing an interim Prime Minister and Government, as well as selecting members for the Provisional Electoral Council.

As a long-standing partner of Haiti, the European Union is determined to remain engaged and to accompany Haitians during these difficult times.

Thank you.

Link to the video (starting from 00:30): https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-256055

Closing remarks

President, Honourable Members,

The debate that we just held illustrates the complexity and the gravity of the multidimensional crisis in Haiti. From a political and humanitarian perspective, the situation remains one of the most tragic and visible crises in the Americas.

Unfortunately, we must acknowledge that the humanitarian situation is not receiving an adequate international response. More robust, collective efforts are needed to enhance the delivery of life-saving aid to Haitians. A genuine Team Europe approach is crucial at this point in time to take up this challenge. The European Commission is determined to play its part.

At the same time, we very much hope that the transition plan, as was agreed, will be viable and sustainable as this is currently the best hope for the country. It will be therefore vital to see this political breakthrough quickly translating into concrete results on the ground.

In this process the Haitians will continue to be able to count on us.

Thank you.

Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/video/I-256057