Haiti Security Mission Faces Funding Crisis as U.S. Withdraws $13.3M support

The United States has issued a stop order on funding for the Kenya-led Haiti Multinational Security Support Mission, plunging the UN-backed campaign into a funding crisis.

The United Nations confirmed the funding freeze, with the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, saying the move would impact 13.3 million dollars in pending aid. The development, which aligns with President Donald Trump’s radical approach to cutting foreign aid, comes just a week after President William Ruto reassured that the US had committed to supporting Kenya’s efforts to tackle gangs in the Caribbean nation.

Kenya has deployed 600 police officers to the Haiti Mission, with the latest batch of 200 arriving in Port-au-Prince on January 19.

UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, has repeatedly called for international support, warning that Haiti’s capital Port-au- Prince could become overrun by gangs.