Organisation of American States urges Washington to revive Haiti aid

The Organisation of American States (OAS) Secretary General Albert Ramdin has called on the United States to renew its aid programs in Haiti to protect youth from being recruited by criminal groups. Ramdin emphasised that this is vital to sustaining long-term security in line with strengthened efforts to restore peace in Haiti. "With the recent resolution adopted by the UN Security Council, international support must be matched with economic measures that create opportunity and hope. An immediate extension of HOPE/HELP is essential," said Ramdin days after the vote to end the mandate of the Multi-National Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti. On January 20, 2025, US President Donald Trump signed Executive Order 14169, which imposed an immediate suspension of all new foreign funding by US federal agencies, including humanitarian programs run by USAID and multilateral partners. In the case of Haiti, the effects were felt through the sudden halt of approximately 80 per cent of US-funded programmes. NGO partner staff were laid off, payments were suspended, and supply chains were disrupted. According to the UN, the suspension created profound uncertainty in the Haitian humanitarian system, weakening the continuity of essential services, but also affecting trust between beneficiary communities and humanitarian actors. Earlier in the year, Modibo Traore, OCHA's country director in Haiti, said Children were among the hardest hit. "UNICEF and its partners have treated more than 4,600 children suffering from severe acute malnutrition, representing only 3.6 per cent of the 129,000 children expected to need treatment this year. The proportion of institutional maternal deaths has also increased from 250 to 350 per 100,000 live births between February 2022 and April 2025," he said on July 30. In terms of security, he noted that the effects included an increase in Gender-based sexual violence (GBV) in neighbourhoods controlled by armed groups. "In short, the withdrawal of US funding has led to a multidimensional regression in the rights of women and girls in Haiti, with consequences that are likely to last for several years," he added. The OAS is expected to play a key role in the formation of troops for the new Gang Suppression Force (GSF). After the adoption of the resolution authorising the new mandate, Ramdin said the new force's adoption is a vital step toward restoring peace and security. "These are essential foundations for advancing the priorities outlined in the Haiti Roadmap: establishing a clearly defined political framework, supporting credible elections, delivering humanitarian assistance, and enabling sustainable development," said Mr Ramdin. On September 9, a joint declaration by the OAS Member States announced its support for Haiti and the ongoing efforts at the United Nations Security Council to ensure the rapid deployment of a force to combat and counter organised criminal groups and gangs in the Caribbean country.