HAITI, a Caribbean island with a population of 12.4 million people, has never been able to develop since gaining its independence.

With a population almost entirely made up of descendants from African slaves, the nation gained its independence from France in 1804. However, over the centuries, there has been a rising trend of economic, political and social difficulties, as well as a significant amount of destruction and displacement due to natural disasters-resulting in chronic poverty, violence, civil unrest and mass displacement.

Within the last decade, gangs have grown in significant numbers, expanding territories and obtaining a crippling control over Haiti’s political and economic structure. There are an estimated 200 criminal gangs operating within Haiti and around 95 across its capital, Port-au-Prince. This has resulted in a major security crisis, with large-scale attacks in communities and against politicians, journalists and humanitarian workers.

As you read this, Haiti is engulfed in a civil war between heavily armed gangs and the Haitian armed forces who are severely outnumbered and ill-equipped. There have been constant calls for an international military deployment to the country to regain control and establish law and order.

As a humanitarian, I believe it is the sole duty of the United Nations Security Council to formulate and execute a plan of action for a United Nations-supervised deployment of coalition troops to Haiti to establish stability, humanitarian aid and restore democracy. The armed gangs ought to be treated as terrorists and enemy combatants.

Caricom must also take the initiative to come to the aid of its member state and neighbour through aid and leading the front in forming an international coalition for the deployment of military peacekeepers, which should consist of a modernised military providing air support, naval support and a specialised unit highly trained in urban warfare.

The United Nations needs to take steps to act now before it is too late for the people of Haiti.

Daniel Bertie