The rise of violent gangs in Haiti has pushed the country into a spiral of disaster. (Source: AP News) |
As Haiti has been engulfed in gang violence for nearly a year, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on the Security Council to deploy a multinational police force to restore law and order in Haiti and disarm gangs.
It is unclear how the five permanent members of the Security Council will vote on the draft resolution. Diplomats are concerned about the unfettered use of force and want to impose a UN arms embargo on all gangs.
The United States drafted the resolution that sent troops into Haiti, which required all mission participants to take steps to prevent sexual exploitation and abuse, as well as conduct health checks on all personnel.
Additionally, the resolution warns mission participants to adopt wastewater management measures to prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, such as cholera.
Disease is a major issue in the campaign. Haiti was cholera-free until UN peacekeepers dumped contaminated sewage into the river in 2010. More than 9,000 people have died from the disease, out of an estimated 800,000 infected.
According to the latest statistics from the United Nations, from January 1 to August 15, more than 2,400 people in Haiti were killed, more than 950 were kidnapped and 902 were injured. More than 200,000 people were displaced because their living areas were destroyed by gangs.
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