Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, chairman of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), said the organization is “deeply concerned at the continuing unsettled political, economic, humanitarian and social situation in its Member State, Haiti.”
“Indeed, we are particularly concerned about the several incidents of violence and the associated and tragic loss of life. The current crisis has adversely affected all sectors of the society and has brought about severe hardship for the people of Haiti,” Mottley said in a statement issued Jan. 9.
The CARICOM chairman added: “It is urgent for all stakeholders in the country to engage in constructive and meaningful dialogue, in a spirit of good faith and concern for the nation, and towards resolving this prolonged crisis. The recent decision taken by the major stakeholders to ensure that the children of the country can resume schooling as a new school term commences is an important step forward and should serve as an impetus to addressing other areas of contention in the interest of the well-being of the people and of the country at large.
“The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) considers that our regional organization has a duty to do all that it possibly can to assist the people of our sister Caribbean nation of Haiti. We shall liaise with the Haitian Government to facilitate a visit by an advanced team led by the secretary-general to explore with the government and people of Haiti and other interested parties an acceptable way forward towards alleviating the present crisis.”
Mottley officially assumed the chairmanship of CARICOM on Dec. 31 and will serve as chairman of the 15-member regional group for the next six months. She replaces Allen Chastanet, prime minister of Saint Lucia, who had served in that position the previous six months.
