UN Peacekeeping Presence Grows in Haiti

As of January 25, 2010, The United Nations continued its work to provide emergency relief services to the people of Haiti with a meeting of senior United Nations officials today.  The purpose of the meeting was to coordinate the various sources of aid that are currently being channeled toward the nation.  Immediate goals for the crisis-stricken state include stabilization and security efforts, which are being led primarily through the efforts of UN Peacekeepers.

Based upon the United Nations Security Council resolution of January 19, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) expanded its forces to 8,940 troops and a police force of up to 3,711 individuals.  After visiting Port-au-Prince, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-Mmoon requested an additional augmentation of troops for the region after surveying the devastation.  In describing the mission, Alain LeRoy, the UN Secretary-General for peacekeeping, stated that "their main task is to assure security and, of course, to help the Haitian people remove the rubble in all the places it can."  The latest figures indicate that there have been 81 total fatalities, of which 21 are confirmed UN Peacekeeping fatalities. The earthquake claimed the head of MINUSTAH, Hedi Annabi, as well as individuals representing Tunisia, Nigeria, Canada, Mexico, Italy, USA, Germany, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Guatemala, India, Philippines, United Kingdom, and Brazil.  According to the UN News Centre, "the earthquake has caused the single greatest loss of life in the UN's history."  With at least 50 people unaccounted for, the UN must combine efforts to assist the Haitians as well as identify the dispatched personnel.  Although early recovery efforts are currently underway, it is apparent that much greater investments into reconstruction and redevelopment of infrastructure will be necessary.

The first UN peacekeeping operation in Haiti began in September of 1993.  After initial issues of cooperation with the Haitian government, the UN had several successful missions.  In 2000, the presidential elections were contested and, as a result, armed conflict broke out in 2004.  With Security Council Resolution 1529 (2004), the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) was established.  The devastating effects of the January 12 earthquake have further engaged UN efforts in Caribbean country.  It would appear almost certain that the United Nations will have a continued presence in Haiti for years to come as the nation works to rebuild all that was destroyed.

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