U.S State Department considers Haiti's situation as dire, says it 'cannot persist'

Record ID: 1692688

  • Title: U.S State Department considers Haiti's situation as dire, says it 'cannot persist'
  • Date: 11th October 2022
  • Summary: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES (OCTOBER 11, 2022) (STATE TV) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON, NED PRICE, STARTING BRIEFING (SOUNDBITE) (English) U.S. STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN, NED PRICE, SAYING: “We know the situation has grown even more dire, even more dangerous, with the actions of criminal actors that impede urgent measures to address the threat posed by cholera to the Haitian population. So in that context we will review the prime minister's October 7th request in coordination with international partners to determine how we best can contribute to the removal of security constraints on medical and humanitarian measures aimed at spreading, aimed at halting the spread of cholera. We strongly condemn all of those who stand in the way of the equitable and immediate distribution of much-needed humanitarian supplies. This is a status quo that cannot persist and we will continue to work and speak with international partners on ways that we can facilitate the delivery of vital humanitarian assistance to the Haitian people including critical medical support to address the cholera outbreak. At the same time we’ll continue to work at the U.N. on measures, including in the Security Council, on measures that the international community could take to impose costs and consequences on those who are responsible for the deprivation, for the loss of life, for the misery that has been compounded by the blockade, this ongoing blockade.” WHITE FLASH PRICE LISTENING TO QUESTION
  • Embargoed: 25th October 2022 21:33
  • Keywords: Haiti Ned Price State Department U.S. cholera security state briefing
  • Location: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • City: WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES
  • Country: US
  • Topics: Conflicts/War/Peace,United States
  • Reuters ID: LVA001159111102022RP1
  • Aspect Ratio: 16:9
  • Story Text: The situation in Haiti has grown dire due to the presence of criminal actors that are impeding the country's response to a cholera outbreak, a U.S. State Department spokesman said on Tuesday (October 11).
    During a news briefing, spokesman Ned Price said the status quo on the Caribbean island "cannot persist."
    The State Department continues to review, in coordination with other international partners, Haiti's Oct 7 request for security assistance to confront gangs, the spokesman said.
    Haiti's ambassador to the United States said on Monday the United States and Canada should take the lead in forming a strike force to confront Haitian gangs that have created a humanitarian crisis by blocking access to a key fuel terminal.
    Prime Minister Ariel Henry last week asked the international community to provide a "specialized armed force" to control gangs that have been blocking the Varreux fuel terminal since last month.
    Acute shortages of gasoline and diesel have crippled transportation and forced businesses and hospitals to halt operations, just at the country faces a renewed outbreak of cholera.
    (Production: Gerardo Gomez)
  • Copyright Holder: STATE DEPARTMENT TV
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