US freezes funding for UN-backed mission to combat gangs in Haiti

The United States has informed the United Nations that it is freezing its funding for the UN-backed mission in Haiti, which is focused on combating the gangs attempting to take full control of the capital. The U.S. has been the largest contributor to the mission, which is led by Kenyan police and was launched last year.

This decision comes at a critical time, as the mission has been struggling with insufficient funding and a lack of personnel. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated that the freeze in funding will have an immediate impact on the mission’s operations. The U.S. had previously committed $15 million to the trust fund that finances the multinational force, but that support will now be halted. The freeze adds further uncertainty to an already challenging mission in Haiti.

Mr. Dujarric said with $1.7 million of that already spent, $13.3 million is now frozen. The move comes as US President Donald Trump imposes a sweeping freeze on foreign assistance, leading to thousands of US aid agency employees and contractors being laid off and programs worldwide shut down.