Canada: The Canadian Prime Minister Mr. Justin Trudeau has announced that the country will send navy vessels to the coast of Haiti to gather intelligence as the Caribbean nation continues to reel from economic and political insecurity as well as violence.

The decision was stated at a meeting of Caribbean leaders, where discussions were held on the powerful armed gangs operating in the country, leading to widespread reports of murder, kidnappings, and sexual violence.

“Right now, Haiti is confronted with unrelenting gang violence, political turmoil, and corruption. Now is the moment to come together to confront the severity of this situation,” Mr. Trudeau remarked.

The Prime Minister did not specify how many ships would take part in the effort or the duration of their mission.

Mr. Trudeau further added that Haiti’s plight “weighs heavily” on him and pledged $9.1 million in humanitarian assistance, as well as $7.4 million to help protect Haitian women and children along the country’s border with the Dominican Republic.

Haitian leaders, including Prime Minister Mr. Ariel Henry, have previously requested military assistance from the international community in order to suppress the escalating violence.

Recently, United Nations human rights chief Mr. Volker Turk also called for an international force to help end the island’s “living nightmare.”

According to the UN, the number of reported killings in Haiti in 2022 increased by 35 percent to 2,183 victims. The number of reported kidnappings more than doubled, reaching 1,359 victims. A report last month from the UN Integrated Office in Haiti observed that “gang-related violence” reached levels “not seen in decades” in the Cariean country.

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