The EU sends more than 300 police to Haiti
Thursday, 28 January 2010
At the recent EU Council meeting in Brussels, the European Ministers of Foreign Affairs confirmed the dispatch of 300 troops. This body of gendarmes is composed of militarised police from member states.
The goal is to support the United Nations (UN) Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in security operations and reconstruction of the island.
Countries that have provided assistance include France, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The Government of Silvio Berlusconi, for example, agreed to send between 120 and 140 personnel, while the French contributed a contingent of a 100 policemen. Meanwhile, the Netherlands committed a team of 60 men, and Spain, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU, allocated 23 civil guards.
The Gendarmerie team will work under UN orders, but will wear European and national symbols.
In addition, the 27 member states have agreed to create a coordination unit (EUCO-HAITI) located in Brussels, which will serve to exchange information and channel support that states provide to UN operations.
To the financial contribution of €430 million and 300 police, the EU will add the construction of six hospitals, equipped with medical staff and engineers. As Catherine Ashton, the High Representative for Foreign Affairs stated at a press conference after the Council meeting, “this is the first time we have a coordination of forces from Brussels”.
Sending troops to Haiti responds to a request by the Secretary General of the UN, Ban Ki Moon, who contacted to the Spanish First Vice President, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. The plea came with the hope to boost cooperation work with the Caribbean island, which is in complete chaos.
The European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Karel De Gucht, who also attended the meeting of Ministers, said that the situation is bleak in Haiti after his visit for a week to the Caribbean country. "The Haitian state has disappeared," he said, "government structures have fallen [...] I had to meet with the Haitian President in a police station”. He informed that there are no food and water shortages. However, he noted that the main problem remains the displaced population. In total, some 250 000 people are currently homeless. EU and world aid should resolve this issue through completing construction initiatives before the rainy season starts.
