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Canada's Contribution to Haiti: Four Years of Progress

Canada's contribution to Haiti: three years of progress Since the departure of President Aristide in February 2004, Canada has played an important role in international efforts to re-establish security and stability in Haiti and to assist in longer-term development and reconstruction efforts. Today, Haiti is the highest beneficiary of Canadian development assistance in the Americas and the second largest in the world (after Afghanistan). This engagement, in part exemplifies Canada’s renewed strengthened focus on the Americas, further demonstrating how shared convictions, values and resources can bring stability and improved living conditions for all in our neighbourhood.

In addition to development assistance delivered through the Canadian International Development Agency, Canada is providing significant support for key stabilization initiatives in Haiti through the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and its Stabilization and Reconstruction Task Force (START). With an annual commitment of $15 million, START is contributing to three core priorities in Haiti, which are:

Increasing security by reducing violence in the communities so that families can live and work free from fear for their personal safety;
Enhancing the Rule of Law in order to reform the police, the judiciary and the prison systems into professional and accountable institutions;
Improving regional stability by addressing factors of instability in Haiti

Across its programs, START also works in partnership with other Canadian government departments, drawing on the whole-of-government expertise in order to maximize the value added of Canada’s contribution in Haiti. For example, in partnership with the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) and Corrections Services Canada (CSC), START helped deploy police and correctional officers to the United National Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) to assist with restoring security and advancing key security sector reforms. START also works closely with other members of the international community active in Haiti as well as the Haitian government ensuring that all START-funded activities successfully support the overall stabilization efforts in Haiti.

Working to increase security

Canada's Contribution to Haiti: Three Years of Progress Many Haitian communities suffer from insecurity and violence perpetrated by the armed gangs prevalent in Haiti’s towns and cities.

Although MINUSTAH operations have succeeded in dislodging the gang structures in a number of urban centers, risks remain. Despite the large number of criminals apprehended, relatively few weapons were confiscated and a number of former gang members remain vulnerable to re-activation.

In order to resist gang recruitment and prevent renewed violence and conflict, communities need to feel empowered and see alternative options to gang membership. START provides support to Viva Rio, www.vivario.org.br, a Brazilian Non-governmental Organization, which implements a pilot community security project aimed at promoting dialogue and enhancing the relationship between communities at risk and Haitian National Police (HNP). This project enables the Haitian community of Bel Air to establish conditions favourable to conflict and violence free life.

Supporting justice and security sector reform

Accountable, professional and effective security institutions are essential to create safe and just living environments that encourage lasting peace, stability, and the rule of law. In Haiti, START is providing financial and human resources to support implementation of key Haitian security sector reforms such as the 2006 Haitian National Police Reform.

Thanks to the constant help provided by START and other donors, the Haitian National Police (HNP) is becoming better equipped and trained to perform its job in an effective, professional and accountable manner. For example, START’s support has provided a central Haitian police directorate, the Inspectorate General (IG), with the necessary infrastructure, mobility and access to information and communications technologies required to fulfil its mandate, which includes monitoring of internal conduct and professional standards within police ranks, in part through investigation of citizens’ complaints. Haitian police officers also benefit from training and mentorship delivered by Canadian police officers deployed to MINUSTAH through START.

Improving Regional Stability

Canada's Contribution to Haiti: Three Years of Progress Transnational organized crime issues such as illicit trafficking of drugs, arms and people not only undermine security situation in Haiti; it also affects stability of the region as a whole. START is helping Haiti address these issues by providing support and advices in the area of border management. This is done through infrastructure development, capacity building of immigration official and police through training, and facilitation of bilateral dialogue between Haiti and the Dominican Republic on important border rated issues. Through these efforts, START is helping deliver results for the Haitian people and is contributing to making Haiti a more secure place for all.