The United Nations has called for a crackdown on arms trafficking in Haiti, where over 3,600 people have been killed in the first half of this year due to gang violence. The situation has been exacerbated by armed groups vying for control and influence in the country. Violence has escalated, with serious human rights violations documented in various regions, including the use of sexual violence by gangs.
Arms trafficking, primarily from the United States, is fueling the violence in the country. The UN has urged for a global arms embargo, a travel ban, and an asset freeze to address this issue. A UN-backed multinational force, the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), has been deployed to help combat the violence, but only a fraction of the pledged troops have been deployed so far.
With the MSS’s mandate set to expire soon, Haiti has requested for it to be turned into a formal peacekeeping mission for more stable funding and capacity. The interim prime minister of Haiti has called for international support to address the escalating crisis in the country. Over 700,000 people have been internally displaced, and around 1.6 million are facing food insecurity due to the ongoing violence. The situation is dire, and urgent action is needed to address the humanitarian crisis in Haiti.
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