Accountability

As the situation in Haiti continues to deteriorate, 5.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance.  According to UNICEF, this includes almost 3 million children, the highest on record.  Gang violence, food insecurity made worse by climate change, natural disasters, a lack of basic services, and disease outbreaks such as cholera together present major security, humanitarian, and development challenges for Haiti and the international community.  Meetings have been called by the United Nations, CARICOM, and partner countries to urge increased support, without which it could yet become much worse.  The full article by Miami Herald journalist Jacqueline Charles follows. 

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has appointed William O’Neill as an independent expert on human rights in Haiti   He will monitor the human-rights situation in Haiti and provide advice and technical assistance to the Haitian government, national human rights institutions and civil society organisations.  Promoting respect for human rights should be an important aspect of re-establishing security, and one hopes, longer term development in Haiti.  The full article by Jacqueline Charles of the Miami Herald is linked and follows.