US Congressional Black Caucus calls for Republicans to free up funds for Haiti

THE UNITED States ( US) Congressional Black Caucus has called for Republicans in the US House of Representatives to free up some US$40 million earmarked by the Biden administration to assist Haiti.

In a statement, the chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, Steven Horsford, said that the crisis in Haiti requires immediate attention, pointing out that the funding is critical to protecting the Haitian people from violent crime and creating the environment necessary for Haitian self-determination.

“The humanitarian crisis and rising unrest in Haiti present a security threat across the Western Hemisphere and highlights the i mmediate need for Congress to join the Biden-Harris administration, CARICOM nations and others like Kenya, i n their work to stabilise Haiti and chart a path towards free and fair elections. This is a worsening crisis and House Republicans have yet to release the necessary resources to support this effort.

“We are calling on our Republican colleagues to release an additional $40 million i n security support,” he said.

The Biden Administration, through United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power, said recently that violence by organised criminal groups has escalated dramatically and worsened what is already a dire humanitarian situation in Haiti.

According to the United States, about 362,000 people in Haiti have been displaced, and over five million are in need of immediate humanitarian assistance for the most basic necessities, including food, health care, water and hygiene.

To help address the situation, the United States administration has earmarked some US$40 million through USAID to help alleviate the situation in Haiti.

In the meantime, Jamaica is expected to welcome some 50 Haiti orphans to the country.