Laurent Saint-Cyr, President pro tempore of the Transitional Council, and Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aimé received a delegation led by Tom Fletcher, United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator (OCHA), at the Villa d'Accueil earlier this week.

The discussions focused on immediate national priorities: restoring security, providing humanitarian support to displaced populations, organizing elections, economic recovery, and resuming air travel.

President Saint-Cyr emphasized that security remains the essential condition for the resumption of national life and the organization of free and credible elections. He reaffirmed the determination of the Haitian authorities to combat armed gangs, restore State authority, and restore confidence in the population. "Haiti needs increased support from the international community to emerge from this crisis. Gangs will not dictate the future of the country."

Prime Minister Fils-Aimé recalled that millions of Haitians are living in a situation of extreme vulnerability, exacerbated by insecurity, and emphasized the need to channel aid through the Haitian government to ensure better coordination. Regarding elections, he emphasized that 87% of polling centers have already been identified, 70% of electoral staff have been mobilized, and that national funding of US$65 million has been secured through the common fund managed by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP - Haiti).

The United Nations delegation expressed its commitment to being a strong partner for Haiti by aligning humanitarian and development actions with the priorities defined by the Haitian government. It also emphasized the need for better coordination between international agencies and local authorities, particularly in the protection of women, children, and displaced populations.

Discussions also addressed the crucial issue of air transportation. Haitian authorities recalled that more than 600 international flights (mostly military and humanitarian) have operated without incident over the past ten months, and that the ban that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) continues to restrict between Port-ou-Prince and the United States. They called for increased advocacy with international partners, particularly in New York, to lift this measure, which unfairly penalizes the country and hinders its economic recovery.

Finally, the two parties agreed to maintain close dialogue between now and the United Nations General Assembly, in order to present concrete results and mobilize greater international support for Haiti.

The Presidential Transitional Council reaffirms, through this meeting, its commitment to leading the country on the path to security, democracy, and stability, in the best interests of the Haitian people.

HL/ HaïtiLibre