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Canadian Foreign Minister Melanie Joly has announced that the country will launch a “joint security coordination cell” to respond to the ongoing crisis in Haiti this summer.

In an announcement Thursday at a ministerial meeting, Joly said Canada would lead the effort from Haiti’s neighbor, the Dominican Republic.

The cell will “boost international security assistance efforts, working with the Haitian National Police and the United Nations to maintain a sustainable environment for long-term peace and security in Haiti,” Joly said in a statement. subsequent tweet.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs did not specify why Canada was partly working outside the Dominican Republic, which expelled tens of thousands of Haitians fleeing the crisis. He said a team would also work from Haiti’s capital, Port-au-Prince.

Additionally, Joly explained that Canada would coordinate international assistance, including funds, equipment and technical support for Haiti’s beleaguered police. The country will also contribute an additional $13 million to UN security and anti-corruption projects.

“The situation on the ground is extremely fragile and the needs are immense – they exceed the ability of Canada or any other country to cope alone,” said Joly, stressing the need for urgent and well-coordinated support.

For Canadian aid to Haiti to be effective, it must be well coordinated and integrated. The Haitian people deserve it.

That is why we held a ministerial meeting in Haiti and announced the creation of a joint security coordination cell led by Canada.
🧵⬇️ pic.twitter.com/4rVJnpwjja

— Melanie Joly (@melaniejoly) June 15, 2023

Haiti has faced multiple crises that have worsened in recent years, exacerbated by natural disasters and the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in 2021. With crowds controlling much of the national capital, the humanitarian community has struggled struggling to respond to the public health emergency and the economic crisis situation.

In response, the government of interim President Ariel Henry called in October for international forces to intervene and help its policing.

Meanwhile, the United States has pushed for Ottawa to take a leading role in the international response, but countries are reluctant to send troops, with some in Haiti rejecting the prospect of foreign intervention.

Meanwhile, Henry argued that security must be maintained to hold credible elections. Since January, no democratically elected official has held power in the federal government of Haiti; Henry, meanwhile, was named by Moise shortly before his assassination.

In discussions with Haitian civil society representatives this week, Henry said he would expand the membership of the country’s transitional council with a view to making the government more inclusive.

Joly also announced sanctions on Thursday against Gracia Delva – a well-known compass musician and former Haitian senator – and Prophane Victor, a former deputy.

Victor was accused of supporting a gang in the Artibonite region, which he represented politically, but he denied the allegations. Joly did not give a specific reason for the new sentencing, but added the number of sanctioned Haitian political and business leaders to 21.

The latest sanctions essentially freeze “any assets these individuals may have in Canada and prohibit their entry into Canada,” Joly said in a tweet.