The Organization of American States (OAS) recently approved a resolution supporting Haiti’s request for a UN-backed peacekeeping mission to restore stability in the crisis-stricken nation on November 13, 2024.
Monsignor Juan Antonio Cruz Serrano, the Holy See's Permanent Observer to the OAS, voiced the Vatican's support, amplifying Pope Francis' continuous call for peace and stability in Haiti.
The Haitian people have faced an escalating humanitarian crisis since 2018, with approximately 700,000 citizens displaced due to political instability, poverty, and rampant gang violence.
This turmoil was exacerbated by the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, leaving a power vacuum that fueled ongoing conflicts, particularly in the capital, Port-au-Prince.
The violence reached horrifying levels in early October when a gang massacre claimed the lives of over 115 residents in a single town. A Kenya-led security mission is currently assisting Haiti but faces challenges due to limited funding and resources.
The proposed UN peacekeeping mission, endorsed by OAS’s 35-member states, aims to provide a more coordinated approach, leveraging international resources and funding to contain gang violence and support Haiti’s transition to democracy.
In his address to the OAS, Msgr. Serrano emphasized the Holy See's solidarity with Haiti and urged the global community to commit more fully to peace-building efforts. “The Holy See reiterates, once again, its closeness to the Haitian people,” he affirmed, aligning with Pope Francis' frequent calls to support Haiti's recovery.
Catholic organizations such as Caritas Internationalis and local dioceses continue to provide humanitarian aid, offering essential resources like shelter, food, and clean water for those fleeing the violence.
The Holy See’s endorsement of Haiti's appeal for UN intervention underscores the Church’s commitment to promoting peace and alleviating the suffering of the Haitian people in the face of ongoing adversity.
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