Dominica’s President urges action on Haiti’s “catastrophic” situation

Dominica has expressed deep concern over the “horrendously dangerous state” of increasing deadly gang violence in Haiti, describing the situation as “catastrophic.”

President Sylvanie Burton, speaking at a ceremony to accept the credentials of the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See to Dominica, the most Reverend Santiago De Wit Guzman, said the situation in Haiti should be of concern to all.

“We have no doubt that the Holy See and his Holiness share similar concerns at the current catastrophic situation in Haiti,” Burton said.

She said Dominica remains “resolved to working with the Holy See and the rest of the global community to resolve matters of major concerns which endanger our sustainable growth and development and peaceful way of life”.

The number of people killed and injured in Haiti due to gang violence significantly increased in 2023 – 4,451 killed and 1,668 injured. The number of victims skyrocketed in the first three months of this year, estimated at 1,554 killed and 826 injured.

Gangs continue to use sexual violence to brutalise, punish and control people and women have been raped during gang attacks on neighbourhoods, in many cases after seeing their husbands killed in front of them. Some women are forced into exploitative sexual relations with gang members.

In her address, Burton there is need to be cognizant of the fact that “only in unity will be able to face the challenges that lie ahead, most of which we believe surface as a result of ideological differences that could be result through dialogue and negotiations.

“Dominica and other small island developing states are the ones most impacted by several of those global challenges that continue to hinder our development and advancement.,” she said, adding these include regional conflicts and wars, inequalities, terrorism, climate change, lack of economic opportunity, unfair trade practices to name a few”.

The Apostolic Nuncio extended the greetings of the Holy father during the ceremony, adding “the Holy See and this beloved nation of Dominica enjoy a very strong and cordial diplomatic relationship, both at bilateral and multilateral levels.

“It is our hope that the relationship continues to grow and benefit our people and institutions. I assure today of my personal commitment to continue the good work towards strengthening these ties,” he added.