The US military announced on Tuesday that it has started deploying elements in Haiti ahead of the deployment of a Kenyan-led multinational security force, amid gang violence and a severe humanitarian crisis.
The operation is coordinated by the US Southern Command, with US military planes transporting civilian contractors, equipment and supplies to Port-au-Prince’s Toussaint Louverture International Airport.
"These personnel will be working alongside Haitian airport officials to secure the equipment and supplies that have arrived in Haiti," the Southern Command said in a statement. It stressed that this mission was made possible "due to the continued coordination and support with the Haitian stakeholders who are working to keep the airport open and operations continuing."
The deployment of the multinational security force had been suspended until a transition council took power in Haiti. The council, tasked in particular with attempting to restore order, was finally sworn in late last month, following the resignation of Prime Minister Ariel Henry.
A source from the outgoing Haitian government told French news agency AFP last week that an initial contingent of 200 Kenyan police officers was due to arrive in Haiti on 23 May.
When questioned about the force’s deployment, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said no specific date had been made public for “operational security” reasons, but added that the goal was to deploy “as quickly as possible.”
The US plans to contribute financially and with equipment to the multinational force, but without involving any troops or police officers.
For decades, Haiti has been suffering from chronic security and political instability. However, since late February, gangs, which were already causing widespread violence, launched coordinated attacks against strategic sites in the capital, seeking to overthrow Prime Minister Henry.
