An armed member of the G9 and Family gang patrols a roadblock in the Delmas 6 neighborhood of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, March 11, 2024. (PHOTO / AP)

UNITED NATIONS - The Security Council on Monday called for the deployment of a multinational security force in Haiti as soon as possible.

In a press statement, the council members reiterated their deep concern over the security and humanitarian situation in Haiti and strongly condemned the continued destabilizing criminal activities of armed gangs.

Council members heard Kenya's briefing on the ongoing planning efforts on the deployment of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission and the international pledges made to the mission. They expressed the expectation and hope for the deployment of the MSS mission to Haiti as soon as possible.

The Security Council adopted a resolution in October 2023 to authorize the multinational police force for Haiti. The resolution decides that the cost of implementing this temporary operation will be borne by voluntary contributions and support from individual UN member states and regional organizations.

The council members expressed concern about the limited progress in the political process in Haiti. They urged all political actors to engage constructively in meaningful negotiations to allow the holding of free and fair legislative and presidential elections and restoring democratic institutions as soon as possible.

Since the end of February, the World Food Programme and its partners delivered more than 50,000 meals to people who have fled their homes, said Stephane Dujarric, said a UN spokesman

They expressed grave concern at the illicit flow of arms and ammunition to Haiti, which remains a key factor of instability and violence. They reiterated their demand for UN member states to take the necessary measures to implement the arms embargo and called for further actions by the Security Council.

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The council members urged the armed gangs to immediately cease their destabilizing actions. They reiterated the council's call for the perpetrators of these abhorrent acts to be brought to justice and emphasized the council's role in placing and enhancing sanctions on individuals and entities responsible for or complicit in actions that threaten the peace, security or stability of Haiti. 

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges countries to increase funding and contributions of police units to the mission, a UN spokesman said on Monday.

Guterres continues to urge UN members to accelerate plans to deploy and adequately fund the MSS, which is needed to tackle the grave security needs of Haitians, said his chief spokesman, Stephane Dujarric.

"The secretary-general continues to call on the government and all national stakeholders to agree on immediate steps to stop the ongoing deterioration of the situation in the country and to advance the political process that will lead to elections," said Dujarric.

The spokesman said there are no new contributions to the trust fund for the mission, which stands at $10.8 million.

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The spokesman said high-ranking UN officials are in Kingston, Jamaica, for a high-level meeting organized by the Community of Caribbean States.

"Our main message to the meeting is that it is critical that we support the Haitian people with one voice toward finding rapidly a Haitian-led solution to the current grave crisis," the spokesman said.

UN humanitarians continue to do everything they can to deliver assistance to Haitians in need, despite the risks for their own safety, he said.

Since the end of February, the World Food Programme and its partners delivered more than 50,000 meals to people who have fled their homes. The UN Children's Fund and the International Organization for Migration provided nearly 70,000 gallons of water and emergency shelter material, said Dujarric.

The aid is not enough and there is a need for unhindered, safe humanitarian access without preconditions, he said.

The world body's humanitarian partners continue to report shortages of medicine, medical equipment, blood, beds and staff to treat the patients who are coming in with gunshot wounds from areas all around Port-au-Prince, the capital, he said.

The humanitarian response plan for Haiti, which calls for 674 million dollars, is only 2.6 percent funded, Dujarric said.