The United States has suspended $13.3 million in funding for the Multinational Security Mission in Haiti, led by Kenya, as part of President Donald Trump’s 90-day foreign aid review. This development, announced by the UN on Tuesday, caught Kenyan officials and others by surprise.
UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric provided specific details:
“The US had committed $15 million to the trust fund; $1.7 million of that had already been spent, so $13.3 million is now frozen. We received an official notification from the US asking for an immediate stop work order on their contribution.”
The United States has frozen its financial contributions to a United Nations fund for the multinational security support mission in Haiti, according to @UN Spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric. The move would stop $13.3 million in pending aid. pic.twitter.com/6elm8K7B1A
— George Maringa (@georgemaringa_) February 5, 2025
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Mission Status and International Support
While approved by the UN Security Council, the mission operates independently of the United Nations and relies on voluntary contributions. Currently, it comprises approximately 900 personnel from various nations:
– Kenya (leading the mission)
– El Salvador
– Jamaica
– Guatemala
-Belize
Canada has emerged as the largest contributor, providing more than half of the $110 million deposited into the UN trust fund for the mission.
The mission recently saw the arrival of 70 Salvadoran soldiers in Port-au-Prince. These specialists, however, are focused on medical evacuations rather than combat operations, taking over duties previously handled by US and Dominican military aircraft.
Impact on Haiti
The funding freeze has had immediate consequences in Haiti:
– HIV/AIDS treatment clinics have suspended operations
– Security advisers assisting both the Haiti National Police and the Kenya-led mission have been terminated
– The mission continues to operate well below its planned strength of 2,500 security personnel
More Kenya police officers arrive in Haiti #Haiti pic.twitter.com/kfDoq6YoSk
— Tujue Media (@TujueMedia) July 17, 2024
Political Context and Future Uncertainty
During his Senate confirmation hearing, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed appreciation for Kenya’s leadership role, stating: “We are grateful to Kenya for leading the Haiti mission.” However, neither Rubio nor Trump has made definitive commitments regarding future US financial support.
Haiti’s situation remains dire. Armed gangs have seized control of numerous neighborhoods in and around Port-au-Prince. Over 5,600 people were killed in gang-related violence last year and more than 1 million Haitians are currently displaced.
The country continues to be the poorest in the Americas, struggling with chronic instability, political upheaval, and natural disasters
Despite Kenya’s commitment to provide 1,000 police officers, the mission’s effectiveness has been limited by funding constraints and the escalating security situation on the ground.
