S/PV.7789 Security Council

In accordance with rule 37 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite the representatives of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Haiti, Mexico and Peru to participate in this meeting. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary- General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, to participate in this meeting. Ms. Honoré is joining us via video-teleconference from Port-au-Prince. In accordance with rule 39 of the Council’s provisional rules of procedure, I invite Her Excellency Ms. Joanne Adamson, Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations, to participate in this meeting. The Security Council will now begin its consideration of the item on its agenda. I wish to draw the attention of Council members to document S/2016/753, which contains the report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti. I now give the floor to Ms. Honoré. Ms. Honoré: I would like to express my gratitude to the Russian Federation, in its capacity as President of the Security Council, for convening today’s meeting on Haiti and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). (spoke in French) I take this opportunity also to welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of the Republic of Haiti. (spoke in English) We are in solidarity, together with the people and the Government of Haiti, as the country again faces loss of life and destruction caused by natural disaster. I am deeply saddened by the deaths and the suffering among Haitian families and the overall physical toll on the country inflicted by Hurricane Matthew. (spoke in French) Before briefing the Council on the impact of Hurricane Matthew and the immediate measures already taken by the United Nations in Haiti, I should like to convey my deepest condolences to the people and the Government of Haiti. (spoke in English) The category 4 hurricane made landfall on 4 October in south-western Haiti, causing death, widespread damage, flooding and displacement, resulting in the largest humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. The Government of Haiti estimates that more than 2.1 million persons have been affected, with more than 1 4 million in need of urgent humanitarian assistance. The Ministry of the Interior has confirmed 372 deaths  — a figure that is likely to rise  — while more than 60,000 people have been evacuated and remain in temporary shelters. Hurricane Matthew impacted the entire south of the country, with the departments of Grande Anse, Nippes, Sud and Sud-Est bearing the brunt of the destruction. In the affected area, where small-scale farming is the main source of income, the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of people have been lost as up to 80 per cent of crops and livestock vanished. The hurricane inflicted major damage on Haiti’s public infrastructure, washing away roads and bridges, blowing away tin roofs, flooding schools — many identified to serve as voting centres — and leaving whole towns submerged and inaccessible for several days. A critical bridge connecting the southern peninsula to the capital, Port- au-Prince, collapsed, cutting off essential supply lines and disrupting commercial food supply chains, which has further impeded access to the affected areas, which also lost telephone communication. Although the Government is still assessing the full extent of the physical damage, as access to the affected areas is gradually expanded, there can be no doubt that this is a humanitarian tragedy and an acute emergency situation, with 1.4 million persons in need of immediate assistance from the Haitian Government, with support from its international partners. During two visits to the southern peninsula, I myself witnessed how desperately that assistance is needed. And it is needed quickly, as health conditions deteriorate and basic supplies are running out. The health impact of this disaster cannot be overestimated. Water and sanitation infrastructure, already fragile, have been severely damaged. The absence of drinking water and the contamination by sewage of other water sources is causing a very high level of infections from diarrhoeal disease, including, but not exclusively, cholera. In response, we are providing water-purification systems and medicine to hard-to-reach areas. There are hundreds of suspected cholera cases, and we are already seeing the first deaths. Protecting vulnerable populations from cholera and ensuring that the restoration and, in some cases, the installation of water and sanitation systems has to be one of the priorities for humanitarian action. To address those needs and to provide other life-saving assistance to 750,000 persons for the next three months, the United Nations and humanitarian agencies yesterday launched a flash appeal for $120 million. I express my sincere thanks to all countries for the prompt support they have provided and continue to provide, and I call on all Member States to contribute urgently to the appeal, in support of the response being led by the Government of Haiti. In that context, I wish to commend the Government for the leadership that it has so far demonstrated in setting the priorities and coordinating the immediate response. I encourage all partners to align with that leadership and further strengthen the capacities of the Civil Protection Directorate and the ministries concerned. Dealing with recovery and reconstruction in the aftermath of the hurricane will require, more than ever, a coordinated approach behind an agenda defined by the Government. The United Nations, along with other governmental and non-governmental and international and local partners, started supporting the Haitian authorities in addressing the immediate needs of the affected population in shelter, water, sanitation and food assistance during this emergency response phase, and even before, by pre-positioning stocks of life-saving food and non-food items. MINUSTAH civilian and uniformed personnel and capacities are being put to full use in support of the humanitarian efforts — by opening up access to roads, providing airlift and supporting the Haitian National Police (HNP) in securing humanitarian workers and stocks, among other tasks. Not only did Hurricane Matthew bring destruction to Haiti, it has also affected the country’s political outlook, rendering impossible the holding on 9 October of the presidential elections, repeated from last year, as well as the partial senatorial elections and legislative re-runs. That is despite the resolve shown by the Haitian Government, the Provisional Electoral Council and the Haitian National Police in preparing for the elections and working to create a conducive environment. In the light of the considerable humanitarian challenges and the damage to critical infrastructure caused by the hurricane, the Provisional Electoral Council postponed the elections pending the completion of an assessment of the impact of the hurricane on the electoral process, including of the Provisional Electoral Council’s capacities in the departments. Preliminary reports by the Council indicate that at least 70 per cent of voting centres may have been affected in Sud department, and even more in Grand’Anse, where many areas are still inaccessible. Prior to the disruption caused by the hurricane, technical preparations had largely been on track for the holding of the elections. Most political actors were committed to renewing the country’s key democratic institutions through elections as a crucial first step towards Haiti’s return to constitutional order following the extended period of transitional governance. No political party boycotted the process, and the large number of registered candidates and parties reflected broad participation by actors across the political spectrum, setting the stage for an inclusive electoral process. (spoke in French) The commitment shown by the Haitian authorities with regard to ownership of all aspects of the electoral process, including financial and operational aspects, is promising, especially in the context of the eventual drawdown of MINUSTAH. While the Provisional Electoral Council is preparing to announce a new electoral calendar, it is important to find the right balance to maintain the momentum generated for elections and to take into account the technical and political considerations, while facing the largest humanitarian crisis that Haiti has known since 2010. (spoke in English) In the light of the simultaneous challenges of addressing the impact of the hurricane and preparing for the holding of the much-anticipated elections, the Provisional Electoral Council and the Haitian National Police will need vigorous support from the Government and its international partners to build on the pre-hurricane preparations and to ensure the credibility and the integrity of the process. Furthermore, now more than ever, all the necessary measures must be taken to ensure that the political process is managed in a manner that generates the consensus needed among the national actors to overcome the political and humanitarian challenges facing the country. I therefore call on all national actors to place the needs of the Haitian people above all and unite behind this goal, including with a view to preserving the relative stability that marked the security situation prior to the passing of Hurricane Matthew and throughout the electoral campaign. In that context, I condemn the random attacks on vehicles transporting food and other life-saving supplies, and I urge the country’s authorities to take the necessary measures to prevent such attacks from happening. Despite the imperative need for all actors, including MINUSTAH, to focus on the emergency response, we cannot lose sight of the longer-term challenges and priorities. In addition to facilitating and supporting a coordinated Government-led recovery and reconstruction agenda, no effort can be spared to continue strengthening the rule-of-law institutions, most notably the Haitian National Police. Despite progress in both strength and performance since my previous briefing, the Haitian National Police is yet to become operationally independent and continues to require support from both the Government of Haiti and international partners to fully provide for security throughout the country. Less than three months before the end of the 2012-2016 HNP development plan, work on the HNP strategic plan for the period 2017-2021 is reaching its final stages, including determining objectives with respect to the required police-to-population ratio and identifying areas in which continuous specialized support is needed for further institutional and operational improvement of the Haitian National Police. The new five-year strategy will also provide an additional impetus for MINUSTAH’s security transitioning planning, thereby informing the strategic assessment that is expected to be conducted prior to the expiration of the Mission’s mandate. The impact of Hurricane Matthew on the political process and on stability in the country can only serve to reconfirm the recommendation of the Secretary- General for a six-month extension, at the current force and police strength, until 15 April 2017. That will allow MINUSTAH to support the Haitian authorities in their efforts to return to full constitutional order in the wake of the humanitarian crisis created by Hurricane Matthew. I thank all my colleagues in MINUSTAH and the United Nations country team for their dedication and commitment during this challenging period for Haiti, and express my sincere respect to all the humanitarian and civil protection workers, who are making tireless efforts under severe conditions. I call on all of Haiti’s international partners to continue to lend their support to the country in order to rapidly overcome the new challenges occasioned by the hurricane so that everyone can refocus on strengthening the country’s economic, physical and institutional infrastructure.

I thank Ms. Honoré for her briefing. I shall now give the floor to the members of the Security Council.

We thank Special Representative Honoré for her briefing today. First and foremost, I want to convey our deepest condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti for the devastation and loss of life that Hurricane Matthew inflicted last week. Against that backdrop, I am going to speak today about both the importance of disaster relief efforts, including what the United States is doing to help, and the political situation in Haiti, while recognizing that the storm does not change the fact that we are at a critical moment in Haiti’s political life and for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). When Hurricane Matthew swept through Haiti and the region last week, it claimed hundreds of lives, levelled homes and businesses and dealt a severe blow to the country’s infrastructure and agriculture, especially on the southern coast. The images coming from Haiti are simply searing and heartbreaking. We, the international community, must do all that we can to help Haiti at this time. To our Haitian brothers and sisters, please know that the people of the United States of America stand with them. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), with support from the Department of Defence, as well as other key United States partners, including the Centers for Disease Control, is leading our response. Through USAID, we have so far made available $1.3 million in humanitarian assistance for communities in Haiti affected by the hurricane. As of 11 October, our Department of Defence-led task force has delivered more than 186,000 pounds of relief commodities, aid and supplies to areas devastated by Hurricane Matthew. We know that much more remains to be done as the full extent of Hurricane Matthew’s damage becomes known. But in the immediate term, yesterday, the United Nations, as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General just mentioned, issued a flash appeal calling for an additional $120 million to meet immediate lifesaving needs. Haiti needs assistance as soon as possible, and it is incumbent upon all of us to step up and contribute. The fresh humanitarian challenges facing Haiti are grave and can be met only by fully functioning institutions. That is why, even with the devastation brought about by the hurricane, we strongly urge the Government of Haiti to continue to move towards holding elections as soon as possible. The Haitian people need elected representatives at all levels of Government who can address the aftermath of the crisis and start promoting policies that will build a strong and prosperous Haiti. That means improving the business and investment climate and building a model for economic growth. It means fighting corruption and helping to create an independent and transparent judicial system so that all feel that they will get fair treatment under the law. As damaging as the hurricane was, we must not allow it to undo the impressive gains that the Haitian Government and the electoral officials have made towards the elections. The decision of Haitian officials to repeat the first round of presidential elections has presented Haiti with an opportunity to improve on the 2015 process. While the United States did not believe that a repeat was warranted, we are encouraged by steps that Haiti’s electoral authority has taken to address the shortcomings identified in the previous elections, including requiring all participants to identify their voting location in advance of election day. We therefore look forward to the final round of elections on 8 January 2017 and to welcoming the seating of a new President on 7 February 2017. We call on the Government of Haiti at all levels to remain politically neutral throughout the electoral process and not support any one candidate or party. And we call on all actors, especially candidates and political parties, to engage peacefully in the political process. The United States Government is among the donors providing funding for an international observer mission from the Organization of American States and local Haitian observers in an effort to strengthen transparency and bolster voter confidence. We strongly urge all Haitians to go to the polls and exercise their right to choose Haiti’s next leader, confident that the outcome will reflect their voice. Turning to the future of MINUSTAH, we look forward to a strategic assessment mission to be deployed during this mandate period, which will make recommendations on the possible withdrawal of MINUSTAH and on a future presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti in a manner that is fit for purpose. We welcome the Secretary-General’s new efforts to better address cholera in Haiti for both treatment and prevention and to develop a proposal on material assistance and support to those most directly affected by the awful cholera epidemic. We look forward to hearing more details about that new approach, and welcome collaboration between the United Nations and Haiti, with the support of the Member States, to devise an appropriate response to the crisis. As always, we thank the men and women of MINUSTAH, the troop and police contributors and the Group of Friends for Haiti for their tireless efforts to promote stabilization and development, especially at this critical time. I would like to conclude by reaffirming the close ties between the United States of America and Haiti. We are not only neighbours, but also partners and friends. The United States looks forward to deepening that partnership further by working together with an elected Haitian President who can address key issues, such as electoral and judicial reform, anti-corruption efforts and economic growth. We are eager to work together with that new President in our shared goal of ensuring that the future will be strong and bright and benefit the people of Haiti.

I would like to thank Special Representative Honoré for her useful briefing. While Ukraine aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the observer of the European Union, I would like to make a few comments in my national capacity. Unfortunately, as we deliberate in this Chamber, Haiti is suffering the consequences of the devastating hurricane. In that regard, I would like to convey our sincere condolences to the people of Haiti on the loss of hundreds of lives and the destruction of thousands of homes. Ukraine stands in solidarity with this nation in the face of such a challenge. Yet even before the latest natural disaster struck Haiti, it was going through a critical humanitarian and socioeconomic situation. According to the latest report (S/2016/753) of the Secretary-General report, an estimated 3.6 million people, or one third of Haiti’s population, face food insecurity after three years of severe drought. Over 61,000 individuals remain internally displaced since the 2010 earthquake. It is during such natural disasters as Hurricane Matthew and the 2010 earthquake that the weakness of Haiti’s State governance becomes most visible. On numerous occasions, the Security Council appealed to the political parties in Haiti to urgently resolve the political deadlock. A lack of progress on this track and the inability of players to reach compromises and to adopt long-overdue decisions keep the country’s State machinery on the perpetual verge of collapse. The people of Haiti deserve better than that. After a long period of political uncertainty and delay, the country was getting ready for elections last Sunday. Yet those plans were disrupted by the hurricane. In that context, we hope that a new electoral calendar will be announced soon. Ukraine reaffirms its support for credible, transparent, inclusive and secure elections that will reflect the will of the Haitian people. The international community needs the Government of Haiti as a reliable partner in advancing development, democracy, human rights and other vital objectives. Ukraine welcomes the Secretary-General’s recommendations concerning the mandate of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). We support the idea of extending it for six months until 15 April 2017, and of deploying a strategic assessment mission by the end of that period. We share the opinion that it would be preferable to conduct the strategic assessment mission after a President has been elected and inaugurated. However, considering the troubling trends in the country’s political development, we do not think the assessment mission should be contingent on the inauguration timetable. Ukraine commends the important role that MINUSTAH continues to play in ensuring stability and security in Haiti. Its contribution to strengthening the capacity of the Haitian National Police is particularly important. It is encouraging that we have seen some progress in that area, but according to the Secretary- General’s report (S/2016/753), the police are currently present in only 261 of the country’s 570 communal sections. It will therefore be extremely important to try to achieve the goal of 15,000 fully operational serving police officers by the end of 2017. Finally, we would like to underline the necessity of ensuring that the United Nations, other multilateral agencies, international and regional partners and Member States continue their efforts to support Haiti’s critical needs, and in that regard to highlight the flash appeal launched by the United Nations yesterday.

I am grateful to the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her briefing. Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti and the region affected by Hurricane Matthew. Along with many partners in Haiti, the United Kingdom is working to establish the extent of the damage and the most pressing humanitarian needs. We are stepping up to support those affected. We have already sent experts and relief suppliers to the region and have allocated £5 million to Haiti. We would like to express our solidarity with those hit by the devastating hurricane. The people of Haiti are unfortunately no strangers to the destructive effects of natural disasters. They have shown their resilience as a country time and again, and I hope that the months and years ahead will see homes rebuilt and livelihoods restored. Democracy is an essential part of Haiti’s path forward, but speedy elections cannot come at the expense of those who desperately need to rebuild. As a result of the hurricane, the decision to postpone the elections is unfortunate but understandable in the highly unusual circumstances. Considering the loss of life, displacement of people and significant disruption of infrastructure, we support the decision, which will ensure that the authorities can focus fully on the recovery effort. We urge the Haitian authorities to ensure that as soon as it is feasible for voters in all parts of the country to be able to participate they move towards rescheduling the elections. The recent events highlight the continued relevance of the full range of the work of the United Nations in Haiti, and the importance of deciding the role that we the Council should play in it. I join the Secretary-General in thanking everyone involved in the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti and the United Nations country team for their ongoing commitment to Haiti. With hundreds of lives lost and images of yet another round of devastation dealt to Haiti, it would be easy to lose sight of the achievements that the country has made in recent years. The security situation, although fragile, remains stable, and the performance of the Haitian National Police continues to improve. We must now ensure that progress is consolidated and continues to evolve. Getting the Haitian National Police to a stage where they can stand on their own feet, without assistance, is paramount. Haiti is at a turning point on the path towards the consolidation of stability and democracy, and although significant challenges remain, we must ensure that the presence and future role of the United Nations in Haiti is adapted to best suit the conditions there. Recent events have demonstrated Haiti’s vulnerability to natural disasters and the fragility of gains. Its significant needs are clear  — long-term development assistance, resilient infrastructure, support in establishing durable and diverse livelihoods and ongoing backing for the creation of a professional and effective police force. The United Kingdom stands ready to help on those fronts, but we do not believe that a peacekeeping mission is the best vehicle any longer for responding to those needs. We therefore look forward to the results of the forthcoming strategic assessment mission, and welcome the continuing preparatory work on a joint transition plan aimed at consolidating Haiti’s success. We must ensure that the Mission quickly hands over responsibilities where other actors on the ground, including the United Nations country team, have a comparative advantage in conducting them.

I would like to express my gratitude to Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her thorough briefing. Japan commends the Special Representative and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for their continued support to Haiti’s reconstruction, stability and security, including the institutional improvements that will make Haiti more resilient over the long term. I would like to take a moment to mention the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew. Japan would like to express its deep sorrow and affirm its continued solidarity with the Haitian people, and we thank MINUSTAH and donor countries and institutions for their important emergency support. Japan is also joining the humanitarian effort by supplying emergency relief goods and providing support via the Japanese food assistance programme. In the light of the severe damage caused by the hurricane, we understand that postponing the elections scheduled for 9 October was unavoidable. We look forward to the announcement of a new electoral calendar by 12 October. Much progress was made on electoral preparations prior to the hurricane, and we have high hopes for a fair, transparent and smooth election once the situation subsides. Let me be direct — public and international trust depends on it. Beyond the disaster response, the fruits of MINUSTAH’s efforts are visible across Haitian society today. We see them in the Special Representative’s use of her good offices in support of elections and the restoration of constitutional order. We see them in community violence reduction programmes, improved criminal justice procedure and the response to criminal gangs. And we see them in security-sector support to the Haitian National Police on patrols, the rule of law, community policing and the development of the 2017-2021 strategic plan. We are pleased that the Haitian National Police’s capacity has been enhanced and believe that a professional and nationally owned security sector will enable Haiti to better stand on its own. In that regard, we look forward to recommendations from the Secretary-General on the future of the United Nations role in Haiti, based on a strategic assessment over the course of the six-month extension of MINUSTAH’s mandate. I would also like to touch on the issue of cholera, which has plagued Haiti for too long and is likely to worsen, owing to the hurricane. We believe that in the long term, the best measures for fighting maladies such as cholera are poverty reduction and improved infrastructure, with a focus on water, sanitation and hygiene. Japan has been supporting Haiti’s reconstruction, especially improving cholera prevention via international institutions, and will continue to make the greatest possible effort in that regard. Over the long term, our partnership with Haiti is based on national ownership of State-building processes, including elections. The hurricane has brought new challenges, but we are confident that the Haitian people will overcome them. Ultimately, nationally led development and strengthened institutions will enable the country to weather any storm. Japan will be there to help along the way.

I wish to thank Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré for her comprehensive briefing. I join Council members in expressing my deepest condolences and in conveying my heartfelt sympathy on behalf of the Government and people of Malaysia to the Government and people of Haiti in the tragic aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. Our thoughts and prayers and solidarity are with the people of Haiti during this difficult time. The onset of Hurricane Matthew has undoubtedly dealt a severe blow to the ongoing national and international efforts in support of Haiti’s political security transition and socioeconomic development to say the least. Even so, we take to heart the courage and resilience demonstrated by the Haitian people in the aftermath of the 2010 earthquake and we are convinced that they will be able to rise to the present challenges as well. Malaysia remains committed to and will spare no effort in helping to galvanize and mobilize the necessary support, aid and assistance for Haiti. We take good note of Special Representative of the Secretary- General Honoré’s comprehensive and sobering briefing and wish to place on record our great appreciation to her and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), the United Nations country team and other agencies on the ground for their unstinting efforts to address the immediate humanitarian needs of the population. In this connection, we welcome the launch of the flash aid appeal by the Secretary-General yesterday. It is critical that the request for assistance be met and that it be met soon. I wish to also place on record Malaysia’s appreciation to the Secretary-General for recognizing the United Nations contributory role to the spread of cholera in Haiti in the wake of the 2010 earthquake. More importantly, we commend the Secretary- General’s recent announcement during the General Assembly’s high-level week on a proposed new package of measures, including intensifying efforts to build some water sanitation and health systems. To say that Hurricane Matthew has had a severe negative impact on Haiti and its people would be a gross understatement. The cost of rebuilding the civilian infrastructure, transport and communications network is immense. With regard to short-term and immediate assistance by United Nations actors and agencies. We are of the view that it would be helpful to quickly identify possible quick-impact projects with a view to stabilizing the socioeconomic situation of Haitians in light of the devastation of crops and food stocks towards ensuring food security for the most vulnerable segments of the population. But for Hurricane Mathew, this past weekend would have seen Haitians going to the polls to elect a new president. As such, while we understand the need for postponement, we hope that any rescheduling of the presidential and legislative elections can take place as soon as possible. This is crucial to ensuring that Haiti can continue on the path towards full restoration and constitutional order. To this end, we call upon all Haitian political parties and players to cooperate with the interim Administration and the Provisional Electoral Council so that credible, smooth, transparent and inclusive elections could be held as soon as possible. The results of the municipal level elections released last July set a good example, and we are pleased to note that in all 139 municipal councils, at least one in three members is a woman, in line with the constitutional provision of a 30 per cent quota for women in public positions. In this regard, we urge Special Representative Honoré to continue her good office’s work in building consensus in paving the way forward for the presidential and legislative elections. On a related note, we welcome the efforts towards a steady strengthening of rule of law institutions in Haiti, especially the strides made by the Haitian National Police (HNP). We are encouraged by the close cooperation and collaboration between HNP and MINUSTAH in terms of operational planning and training, as well as on joint operations and patrols in combatting crime, as well as election-related violence. No doubt, the current situation is extremely challenging for the interim administrations, including the security forces who are now faced with increased demands by the population. We hope that the safety, security and welfare of the civilian population, especially of women and children, the disabled and the elderly will be prioritized. We welcome the ongoing implementation of the HNP’s 2012-2016 strategic plan and note that the drafting of the 2017-2021 strategic plan has also commenced. We see these as crucial steps towards assessing needs and identifying areas to further strengthen the HNP so that it may fully assume its responsibilities, particularly after the drawdown or exit of MINUSTAH. In this regard, we could support the Secretary- General’s recommendation to extend MINUSTAH’s mandate by six months. At the same time, we are of the view that the Secretariat could undertake initial preparatory work on the future presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti soon on the understanding that a full strategic assessment would take place after the inauguration of the new president. In conclusion, I wish to once again express my delegation’s utmost appreciation to Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré, the entire MINUSTAH team, as well as the United Nations country team for their tirelessness and diligence in spearheading the international community’s relief and assistance effort in Haiti. They have our utmost gratitude and respect.

At the outset, allow me to echo previous speakers by expressing my sincere condolences to the people and the Government of Haiti following Hurricane Matthew. I can assure Haiti of Egypt’s support. I would like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré for her comprehensive briefing and express our support for the efforts that she and her team are making in Haiti. Haiti is at a turning point in its history. It is encountering enormous challenges in different areas, including the disastrous humanitarian situation and ongoing political, security and economic challenges. The joint support of the international community to Haiti is therefore absolutely vital now. Hurricane Matthew has provoked a dire humanitarian situation, as Ms. Honoré said a moment ago. Basic infrastructure has been destroyed, in particular infrastructure that the Haitian authorities were going to use as ballot stations. There is also a cholera epidemic and an acute food crisis. For that reason, I urge the international community to step up its efforts in supporting Haiti during this humanitarian crisis. In the face of these challenges, the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH)  — to which Egypt has contributed a police contingent — has played an important role in ensuring that humanitarian aid has reached the Haitian people. The Mission took part in the relief and rescue operations following the hurricane. Those efforts must continue so that Haiti does not again face a humanitarian crisis similar to that which followed the 2010 earthquake. Before the MINUSTAH mandate is renewed, Egypt calls for the issue to be reviewed in an open-minded manner, given the current suffering of the Haitian people and the number of challenges that the country is facing. It is therefore necessary to undertake a strategic assessment of the United Nations presence in Haiti, while taking into account all current challenges and the way in which MINUSTAH is addressing them. It is vital that such an assessment include real solutions to address the underlying causes of the country’s instability. The country’s political process, which should have led to presidential elections on 9 October, has been impacted by the hurricane. The Haitian authorities have found themselves obliged to postpone the elections, without fixing a new date for them, in the light of the fact that the hurricane destroyed numerous polling stations. The national authorities were counting on their own resources to conduct the elections, which clearly demonstrates their determination to establish political stability in the country. We are firmly convinced that the Haitian authorities understand the importance of the election taking place on the date set in order to avoid another political crisis that would impact the country’s security, economy and society as a whole. When the Council begins its consideration of extending the mandate of MINUSTAH, it should take account of the fact that, despite a relative drop in crime over recent months, the number of demonstrations and protests has been increasing since April, exposing the fragility of the security situation, particularly in the current humanitarian crisis. I must therefore congratulate MINUSTAH on its efforts. The Mission has indeed played a lead role in bolstering national institutions and in institutional capacity-building, particularly of the country’s security and judicial institutions. I appeal to Member States and all troop-contributing countries to continue to support the country’s national authorities and to step up efforts to finish building national security institutions. In that regard, we call for a genuine partnership with the Economic and Social Council and the Peacebuilding Commission in order to deliver comprehensive international aid to Haiti during the current transition phase, in which the country is seeking to move beyond its decades-long instability. In conclusion, I would like to express our full support for the people and the Government of Haiti. We are convinced that they will succeed in overcoming this very delicate and complex period.

We are grateful to Ms. Honoré for her briefing on the situation in Haiti and the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). We welcome the Permanent Representative of Haiti to this meeting and through him, the Republic of Angola conveys its heartfelt condolences to the families of the Haitians killed by Hurricane Matthew, and to the Government of Haiti, which is confronted with a humanitarian crisis of catastrophic proportions at a time when Haiti is still struggling to recover from the 2010 earthquake. The images of disruption and overall destruction are indeed heartbreaking. We deeply regret the consequences of this disaster, which has led to the postponement of the much-anticipated presidential, senatorial and legislative elections. We hope that new dates will be announced soon. The political gains that took place in the reporting period and that were subsequently washed away by Hurricane Matthew were possible thanks to the outstanding work of the country’s Government, MINUSTAH the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which led a security and political assessment mission to Haiti and urged Haitian interlocutors to find solutions to the protracted crisis of Governance and to ensure the swift completion of the electoral process. In spite of the reported situation of relative calm prior to the hurricane, the country’s fragility, caused by prevailing political uncertainty, is a cause for concern. The increase in politically motivated violence has generated anxiety, prompting public protests that have resulted in the destruction of property and clashes with the police, worsening Haiti’s fragile security situation. Robust joint security patrols and operations led by the Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH have resulted in a drop in criminal activities and stronger management of public protests by the National Police. We praise the ongoing partnership between MINUSTAH and the Haitian National Police and other institutions tasked with ensuring the rule of law. Those are encouraging developments that we hope will secure an environment conducive to the holding of presidential elections. We were encouraged by the fact that the Government of Haiti has fulfilled its commitment to providing the necessary funding for the elections and by the signing of the integrated security plan for the elections by the Director General of the Haitian National Police and MINUSTAH’s Police Commissioner and Force Commander, in order to deploy a robust police and military force throughout the country to ensure security during the electoral period. The cooperation established between the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH, the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Office for Project Services and other international partners in support of the electoral process and in providing technical and logistical support, training electoral staff in vote tabulation, outreach campaigns and civic education will certainly positively impact the electoral process once it resumes. We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of MINUSTAH for a further six months with the current authorized personnel. The catastrophe that has struck Haiti will certainly change the Mission’s future plans. We await the strategic assessment on the future work of MINUSTAH, hoping it will take into account that, if Haitians are to take full control of the destiny of their country, proper conditions must be effectively in place. Therefore, we urge all national actors to pursue the political and electoral process, engage decisively and with rigour in the country’s reconstruction, and continue strengthening the rule of law by ensuring justice and respect for the human rights of all Haitians. Finally, we commend the prompt response by MINUSTAH and the United Nations Disaster Assessment and Coordination Team in evacuating a great number of vulnerable communities affected by Hurricane Matthew and in providing humanitarian assistance to those in need. It is our hope that once the current humanitarian crisis is overcome, Haiti will swiftly resume its electoral process, which was on track before Hurricane Matthew struck, that life starts normalizing for Haitian people and that sustainable peace is restored.

At the outset, I would like to thank you, Sir, for the timely convening of this debate on the situation in the Republic of Haiti. We commend the Secretary- General’s report (S/2016/753), which was introduced by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), Ms. Sandra Honoré. We welcome her and recognize the unflagging work being done by her, the men and women of the Mission and other humanitarian workers who tend tirelessly to the Haitian people every day to safeguard their security and stability. We align ourselves with the statement to be made by the Ambassador of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. The Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela reiterates its commitment to the present and the future of the people of Haiti. Our countries are linked by historical, political and cultural links. We profoundly mourn the loss of human lives and the material losses due to Hurricane Matthew. We offer our condolences and solidarity with the brother nation of Haiti and its Government. In that regard, in the light of the state of emergency experienced by Haiti because of the damage caused by the natural disaster, and at the request of its Government, on 6 October my country initiated an airlift of humanitarian aid and a rapid-assistance team  — bringing more than 600 tons of supplies, including food, clothes, drinking water, blankets, disposable materials and medical tents — to help the Haitian people affected by the hurricane. We encourage the international community to continue and step up its cooperation with the Haitian people. We will continue to support our brother nation in the Caribbean in strengthening its democratic institutions. We lament the unfortunate coincidence that the hurricane took place just a few days before the Haitian people were to once again take part in the first round of presidential and partial legislative elections. Once they have overcome the effects of the Hurricane, the completion of the electoral process will be of particular importance. In pursuing the objectives of establishing the political institutions of Haiti, it is absolutely vital that all political actors in the country engage in dialogue and demonstrate their will and determination to complete the electoral cycle beyond their own personal interests. In that regard, the Haitian authorities should continue to encourage their citizens to participate in the electoral process and respect the decision of the people in the election. The political tensions of recent months reflect one of the chronic problems facing that brother nation — namely, the fragile nature of its institutions. Since its birth as an independent republic, the people of Haiti have suffered not only onslaughts of nature but also the pillaging of its resources and encroachment on its independence, which have undermined its development. The colonial heritage has had a heavy cost on its independence. Throughout the nineteenth century, the Haitian people suffered blockades, penalties and debt collected by the former colonial Power, which undermined and eroded its own development. Throughout the twentieth century and up through the twenty-first century, Haiti has been the victim of invasions and military interventions and has suffered the scourge of the worst dictators of the subcontinent. All of that undoubtedly has had a negative effect on its stability. Combating poverty and injustice in Haiti, the poorest country in the Americas, requires the extraordinary efforts of the countries of the region and the international community. It is necessary to enhance the direct support of stable assistance mechanisms to support the people of Haiti alognside the efforts of the country’s authorities. In that regard, and as was done after the ruinous 2010 earthquake, we must enhance the capacities of the United Nations through MINUSTAH and achieve the stability and development of our brother nation. Given the current context, we remain concerned by the increased number of cholera cases and the deaths caused by the virus. Hundreds of new cases have been reported every week since 2010. To date, according to United Nations figures, more than 9,000 Haitians have died and more than 750,000 have been infected. In the first six months of 2016, there were 23,072 new cases of cholera and 211 deaths, representing a general increase from the same period in 2015. That highlights the need to strengthen national health institutions in Haiti and their capacity to respond this public health issue in order to prevent cholera from becoming endemic. We commend the efforts of the United Nations to mitigate this grave public health problem by acknowledging its moral responsibility to the victims of the outbreak of the epidemic that started in 2010. We welcome the initiative of the Secretary-General to direct an emergency response to the cholera epidemic in Haiti and the new focus adopted by the United Nations in its campaign against its spread. We consider it vital to approve additional resources to enhance the national cholera reduction plan, including the mobilization of a package of assistance that would provide material assistance and support to the Haitians directly affected by the epidemic. Moreover, in the humanitarian sphere, we are concerned over the food and security situation arising as a result of climate change in the Caribbean, which has been impacted further by Hurricane Matthew, which is believed to have destroyed almost all harvests. In the first half of 2016, more than 3.6 million Haitians were affected by those climate factors. We believe that in the current context of political and institutional uncertainty, which has been exacerbated by natural phenomena, we must maintain our assistance and support to the Haitian people. We therefore believe that the presence of the United Nations and MINUSTAH remains necessary in order to assist the Haitian authorities in strengthening the response capacities of their institutions. We attach particular importance to ongoing improvements to and the professionalization of the Haitian National Police, which will enhance the presence and authority of the State. It is crucial that we continue to allocate resources to rapid-impact projects that promote the rule of law, improve health services and the provision of drinking water, and increase the security of citizens through the installation of street lights. Given the pressing challenges facing Haiti, any decision regarding the future of MINUSTAH should be based on security and stability conditions in the country in the framework of the process of building institutional capacities and in coordination with the elected authorities starting February 2017. We commend the prudent recommendation of the Secretary-General in his report to extend the presence of MINUSTAH for an additional six months and to undertake a strategic assesment mission after 7 February 2017  — once the newly elected President has taken office and a new Government is in place  — in order to submit recommendations to the Security Council in April next year regarding the future presence of the United Nations, which would include an accurate assessment of the effects of recent political events and the natural disaster of Hurricane Matthew. Venezuela is in favour of a politically and socially stable, sovereign and free Haiti. Our cooperation with Haiti expanded in an extraordinary manner under the presidency of Commandante Hugo Chávez Frías and continues with the same determination today. Venezuela and the countries of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America worked with Haiti long before the 2010 earthquake. That cooperation will continue to strengthen in the future. Furthermore, in the context of the Petrocaribe energy cooperation programme, since 2005 we have provided 100 per cent of Haiti’s fuel needs and 20 per cent of of its electricity, and undertaken various initiatives prioritized by the Haitian Government, which have had a positive impact over the past 11 years on efforts to reconstruct Port-au- Prince and on the economic and social development of that brotherly country. Haiti occupies a special place in the hearts of Venezuelan men and women. The Haitian revolution provided inspiration to the patriots in the nineteenth century and the liberator Simón Bolivar, who was supported 200 years ago by Haitian President Pétion during the Venezuelan War of Independence. A deep feeling of appreciation and solidarity has motivated Venezuela’s assistance to Haiti. Finally, my country joins the efforts of the region and the international community to assist that fraternal country in overcoming the socioeconomic problems that have affected it for decades. Today more than ever, such cooperation must ensure that the necessary socioeconomic conditions are created to enable the eradication of poverty and extreme poverty in the country so that it can achieve political stability and strengthen its institutions. Those preconditions are indispensable to efforts to assist Haiti in its reconstruction and development.

At the outset, I would like to thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her comprehensive briefing. I again wish to assure her of the full support of France for the activities on the ground under the particularly difficult conditions in Haiti during the past few days. She has our full support. I would also like, through her, to express our support for all staff of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). I endorse the statements to be delivered by the observer of the European Union and the representative of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. At a time when Haiti continues to assess the terrible human and property toll of the recent passing of Hurricane Matthew, we would like to express our condolences to all Haitians for the recent victims. At this difficult time, France stands with Haiti. My country decided to respond immediately to the call of the Haitian authorities for humanitarian assistance. The President of the Republic stated that all available resources would be mobilized to implement emergency assistance as quickly as possible in coordination with our European partners and the international community. That mobilization has already begun. On 5 October, at the request of the Haitian authorities, a French military aircraft flew reconnaissance flights to assess the damage done to the infrastructure and to determine what was needed to be delivered by way of humanitarian assistance. With 60 French military/ civilian security personnel and 90 tons of equipment, including 2 water purification plants, 6 sanitation units, medical kits and humanitarian first aid, are currently being transported or are about to be routed locally. Moreover, the French food-aid credits to Haiti have been refilled. Finally, two helicopters have been made available by the Airbus Foundation for the purposes of medical transport and first-aid delivery to the most isolated areas. Of course, all of that is being carried out within the framework set by the Haitian Government and its representatives in the regions impacted by the disaster. Furthermore, France, together with the international community, calls for heeding the urgent appeal launched by the United Nations in the aftermath of the disaster. This terrible tragedy reminds us once again of the scope of the humanitarian challenges facing Haiti and its people. We are particularly concerned, in the current context, by the resurgence of cholera cases. France fully supports the efforts undertaken by the Haitian authorities with the support of the United Nations. We have contributed to several quick-impact projects on the ground since 2010. We have relayed the call of the Secretary-General to bolster that mobilization and will carefully examine the proposals to be made to the General Assembly to intensify efforts to combat cholera in Haiti, as well as to provide assistance and financial support to the Haitians most directly affected by the disease. More needs to be done by the international community to finally eradicate cholera in Haiti. France hopes that the electoral process under way will be concluded as quickly as possible so that Haiti can finally put an end to the uncertainties surrounding that issue. More than ever, Haiti needs stable institutions with democratic legitimacy that will enable it to tackle the various economic, social and humanitarian challenges that the country faces. France has taken note of the revised electoral timetable announced by the Provisional Electoral Council and the postponement of the elections, originally scheduled for 9 October, because of the consequences of the passing of Hurricane Matthew. We urge all Haitian political stakeholders, including the provisional President, to do their utmost to ensure that the elections are held in the near future and that constitutional order is established as quickly as possible. Each individual must show responsibility and restraint in that regard. It is important that the forthcoming elections be led by the Haitians themselves and conducted in a transparent, open, inclusive and credible manner. France will contribute to that goal by participating in the electoral monitoring mission, established by the Organization of American States. More than 12 years after the deployment of MINUSTAH, the conditions on the ground have profoundly changed, as have the country’s needs. We have gradually moved from a peacekeeping situation to a context where the United Nations is called upon to assist in development and the construction of a State under a robust rule of law. Attending to that changing reality will help us to provide the most effective assistance to the Haitian people. The security and stabilization of Haiti in the long term depend first and foremost on the Haitian authorities shouldering their responsibility, as well as on the sustainable development of the island. France is pleased to see that the security situation is generally stable. While it remains tenuous, owing to political tensions related to the successive postponements of the electoral cycle, it has nonetheless been competently managed by the Haitian security forces. In that regard, we welcome the growing authority of the Haitian National Police, demonstrated by its increasing ability to act largely independently. It is now important that the ongoing discussions on the future of MINUSTAH be conducted as speedily as possible. France fully supports the recommendations contained in the Secretary-General’s latest report (S/2016/753), particularly with regard to the limitation of the extension of the next mandate to only six months, as well as the implementation, at the end of the current six-month mandate, of a strategic review that will allow us to consider whether the context is ripe for the drawdown of MINUSTAH and for its replacement by a new form of United Nations presence. Indeed, we believe it important that the relaunch of the Mission’s reconfiguration not be indefinitely delayed on account of the political stalemate, as there is a risk of jeopardizing the United Nations capacity to best meet the needs of the Haitian population. The situation in Haiti concerns us all even more today. The support of the international community and the engagement of the United Nations remain even more necessary than ever, but our responsibility in the Council is to do all we can to ensure that that engagement is as appropriate and as effective as possible. The challenges facing Haiti and the expectations of its people commit us to taking the decisions necessary. Haitian political stakeholders today must be fully aware of that.

I would like to thank you, Mr. President, for convening today’s meeting. China listened carefully to the briefing by Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré. Recently, Hurricane Matthew caused severe damage to Haiti, leaving hundreds of people dead or injured. China would like to express its sympathy and condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti. We call on the international community to actively provide Haiti with humanitarian assistance, with a focus on health care, sanitation and the supply of drinking water in the disaster-affected areas so as to prevent the renewed outbreak of cholera and other epidemics. We hope that Haiti will overcome the effects of the hurricane as soon as possible, rebuild the damaged houses at an early date, gradually complete the political transition and embark on the road to stability and development. Development is the fundamental way to enhance Haiti’s disaster resilience and recovery capacity. It is also the master key to the settlement of the question of Haiti. We hope that the Haitian Government will strengthen planning, formulate development strategies aimed at addressing conditions in the country, accelerate the building of infrastructure, advance agriculture, tourism and other important sectors, promote the rule of law, improve the humanitarian situation and ensure that the interests of vulnerable groups are guaranteed. The international community should promptly honour its assistance commitment, enhance targeted assistance and help the Haitian Government in enhancing its governance capacity so that Haiti will be able to stand on its own and achieve development at an early date. The United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), under the leadership of Special Representative of the Secretary-General Honoré, has played an important role in advancing the electoral process and maintaining security and stability in Haiti. China expresses its appreciation in that regard. China has always maintained that United Nations peacekeeping operations should be adjusted in the light of developments in the host countries, with the ultimate purpose of withdrawing. In view of the fact that the overall security situation in Haiti is improving and that the Haitian National Police has been growing, MINUSTAH should consider withdrawal at the appropriate time and not remain endlessly in Haiti. The Haitian Government should take upon itself the responsibility for maintaining its national security and stability. It is China’s hope that the Secretariat and the Haitian Government will strengthen communication and assess the situation in Haiti in a timely manner, while ensuring stability in Haiti and the smooth functioning of the new Government. Appropriate arrangements should be made regarding the future presence of the United Nations in Haiti.

We too have been following with heavy hearts the reports of the devastation wrought by Hurricane Matthew in the Republic of Haiti. We extend our deepest sympathy to those who have lost loved ones, suffered injury, had property damaged and their livelihoods disrupted. There is no doubt that the hurricane has greatly exacerbated Haiti’s humanitarian situation, which was already challenged by severe drought and the cholera epidemic. Food, shelter and medical care are required urgently. Longer term, Haiti will need support in rebuilding damaged infrastructure and in containing the spread of disease. Our thoughts are with the people of Haiti in these difficult days. It is unfortunate that Haiti was forced to postpone last week’s first round of elections in the wake of the hurricane. That is yet another setback for a country that is in dire need of political certainty and stability following the failure of the electoral process earlier this year. The latest Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/753) makes clear the impact that the political uncertainty in Haiti continues to have on its development towards a stable and prosperous future. Progress towards consolidating the rule of law has been slow. We urge all Haitian political actors to do everything in their power to ensure that the electoral process commences as soon as is feasible, in stable conditions and without violence. We also call on all relevant actors to spare no effort to ensure that the elections are free, fair, inclusive and transparent. The capacity of the Haitian National Police continues to improve, and we commend its determination to provide for the safety and security of the Haitian people. But there is still work to be done before it will be operationally independent. Progress in that area is vital for the eventual reconfiguration of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Against that background, MINUSTAH continues to play an important role. New Zealand appreciates the work of the Special Representative and of MINUSTAH- contributing countries in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew and in supporting Haiti more generally. We welcome the renewal of MINUSTAH’s mandate for six months. However, we all recognize that MINUSTAH cannot stay forever and that it needs to evolve as the situation on the ground allows. It is important that we lay the foundation now for that to happen smoothly and responsibly. We are reassured that MINUSTAH and the United Nations country team are continuing preparations for the Mission’s transition by developing a transition plan. We also support the Secretary-General’s call for a strategic assessment mission to be undertaken by the end of MINUSTAH’s next mandate period. For MINUSTAH’s transition to be successful, it must have genuine national ownership. Its implementation will be the responsibility of the Government that emerges from the forthcoming electoral process. We therefore hope that the strategic assessment will be completed after a new Government is in place and that it will adequately reflect the Government’s views and priorities. That adds further urgency to the need to ensure that a duly elected and legitimate President is inaugurated early in 2017. In any event, we urge the United Nations to do all it can to engage relevant Haitian stakeholders when assessing its future presence in Haiti. We regret the impact that cholera continues to have on the people of Haiti. The United Nations has a responsibility to help address and end the outbreak and to provide appropriate support to the victims of cholera. We thank the Secretary-General for his efforts to improve the United Nations response to the cholera crisis and look forward to the new United Nations approach having a direct and positive impact. Haiti is once again at a critical point on its path to restoring an inclusive and representative democracy. We hope that in the coming months Haiti will recover from Hurricane Matthew and complete a peaceful political transition. We also hope that the Council will remain united in supporting Haiti through this critical period.

I thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her introduction of the report of the Secretary-General (S/2016/753). We align ourselves with the statement to be made by the representative of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. My country conveys its solidarity and condolences to the people and the Government of Haiti for the lives lost and material damage caused by the passing of Hurricane Matthew. As noted by Mr. Stephen O’Brien, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, the hurricane has caused the worst humanitarian crisis in Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. We are pleased to see that international assistance is already arriving in the country and that the United Nations and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) continue to play an important role on the ground. We are also pleased to hear of a new focus, on the part of the Secretary-General, in confronting the cholera epidemic on two levels. The first seeks to organize support and response efforts in the fight against cholera and the other will supply material assistance to those most affected by the cholera epidemic. We welcome the ongoing progress made by the Haitian National Police and encourage further efforts to make it better able to provide security to the people. We are pleased to see that, even in these difficult circumstances, the executive branch is committed to working jointly with the Provisional Electoral Council to organize elections as soon as possible so as to ensure the handover of power to a democratically elected President on 7 February 2017. We await with interest the new elections timetable. According to what we have heard, it should be provided tomorrow. Despite that, we remain convinced that the strategic assessment should be carried out independently and irrespectively of the electoral timetable. That necessary strategic assessment will allow us to determine which type of United Nations presence is really required in Haiti. Uruguay in particular has been on the ground in Haiti since MINUSTAH began, in 2004, and is there still today. With the same commitment that has driven us from the outset, today we understand that the gradual drawdown of MINUSTAH is a direction we must duly follow. Therefore a responsible transition process must be initiated, leading to the consolidation of the country’s insititutions in order to achieve the development and well-being of its people. Allow me to conclude by once again expressing my country’s recognition of the men and women working as part of MINUSTAH for their dedication and commitment to recovery and stability in Haiti. In many cases these people have given up their lives in the fulfilment of their duties, including Uruguayan members of the Mission, whom I acknowledge in remembrance now.

I would like to begin by thanking the Secretary-General for his latest report (S/2016/753), as well by expressing my gratitude for the briefing provided by Special Representative Sandra Honoré. As a consequence of Hurricane Matthew, Haiti is once again suffering a new humanitarian crisis, the most devastating since the 2010 earthquake. We deeply regret this new blow dealt by nature. From the start, Spain has been in contact with the Haitian authorities and, in coordination with the international community, and has rapidly mobilized emergency assistance. I shall not dwell upon the details; I simply refer to the more than half a million dollars worth of aid, with two consignments sent on 10 and 11 October, respectively. The important thing is the immediacy of the Spanish response, which reflects the traditional solidarity of all the people of Spain with the friendly country of Haiti. Spain maintains and will maintain its commitment to Haiti, which continues to be  — and I want to underscore this  — the main beneficiary of Spanish official development assistance in the world. The tragic situation in Haiti following Hurricane Matthew means that we must reflect on the country’s urgent need for a Government elected through democratic, inclusive, free and transparent elections — one that can provide a strong institutional basis to promote the development and capacity of the country to confront the major challenges that lie ahead. It is therefore vital for the Government to establish, as soon as possible, a new date for the elections that were planned for 9 October, thereby reactivating the electoral process already under way. The country’s return to constitutional order is more of a priority than ever. Spain believes that the role of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) continues to be fundamental in order to ensure the necessary security conditions for the country. In the current circumstances, its contribution to security in the electoral process is even more relevant. Spain therefore supports the renewal of the MINUSTAH mandate until April 2017. As the Secretary-General recommends, we should maintain the current authorized troop level, which we believe to be essential for the mission to fulfil its mandate. Moreover, Spain considers it timely to deploy a strategic assessment mission, circumstances permitting, in order to evaluate what form the role and presence of the United Nations in Haiti should take once the MINUSTAH mandate expires. Spain has always maintained in its statements before the Council that decisions on MINUSTAH must be adopted in a flexible manner, depending on foresight and analyses of the short- and medium-term, as well as the changing political and security situations. This is simply because we should not risk the progress that has already been achieved. We believe the evalution of the strategic assessment mission should be carried out in close collaboration with the new Haitian Government in order to ensure the success of the transition. For this reason it is pertinent that the mission be deployed once a new President has taken office — one who has been democratically elected in Haiti — and preferably once his new Government team is in place. Spain would like to highlight the need for these recommendations, in addition to being based on the results of the strategic assessment mission, to deal with the politico-institutional situation in the country and assess its impact on security and stability in Haiti. We also support the notion that the Security Council should work in the most inclusive and transparent manner possible and that its decisions always take the interests and opinions of the States affected by them into account. It is for that reason that we shall listen attentively to the statement made by the Ambassador of Haiti and to his thoughts and expectations as to MINUSTAH, as well the contributions of countries involved in the Mission. Finally, Spain aligns itself with the statement to be made by the observer of the European Union later in this meeting.

I would like to begin by thanking the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for her detailed statement, as well as for her outstanding work at the head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). On behalf of the Senagalese people and its Government, I should also like to express our sincere condolences and solidarity with the brotherly people of Haiti, who suffered a tragic blow in the wake of Hurricane Matthew early this month. Hurricane Matthee, quite frankly, has further complicated the lives of the people of Haiti, which were difficult enough before that. We are all aware of the statistics arising from this disaster, so I shall not dwell upon them. Nevertheless, suffice it to say that much human life and property has been lost, while cases of cholera have increased, exacerbated by floods and damage to numerous health centres. That is why my country would once again urge the international community to mobilize the delivery of humanitarian assistance commensurate with the damage suffered by the Haitian people. In addition to the emergency situation caused by this catastrophe, we have seen yet another postponement of the electoral process in spite of the efforts of the Haitian authorities, who, as we know, were forced to postpone the elections. In spite of this new ordeal, my country calls on the Haitian Government to spare no effort to organize free, transparent and credible elections as soon as possible. We welcome the outstanding work accomplished by the good offices of Special Representative Honoré and congratulate her efforts and those of her team to ensure a return to constitutional order, peace, stability and prosperity in Haiti. Ms. Honoré may rest assured that she has the renewed support of the Senegalese Government. I should like also to pay tribute to MINUSTAH not only for the role it is playing during this difficult time but also for everything that it is doing in Haiti. The most striking example, perhaps, is its cooperation with the Haitian National Police in order to ensure the security of the elections. Senegal, which has a presence in the Mission through its police units, urges the Security Council to provide all necessary support to the Mission by supporting the recommendations emanating from the recent visit made to the country by the Department for Peacekeeping Operations from 30 June to 3 July.

I shall now make a statement in my capacity as the representative of the Russian Federation. We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for presenting the report on the activities of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which she heads, as well as her detailed statement concerning the situation in the country. We express our condolences to the families of the victims of Hurricane Matthew, which tore through the Caribbean last week. We hope that Haiti, with the help of the international community, will be able very quickly to rebuild after this natural disaster. We take note of the fact that, owing to the hurricane, the presidential and parliamentary elections in the country have been postponed yet again. We hope that Ms. Honoré will present the next report when Haiti has a duly elected President. We continue to follow the development of the internal political situation in the country. More than three months after the expiry of the 120-day term of the provisional President, the National Assembly has yet to adopt measures to ensure continuity in the functioning of the executive, in line with the provisions of the agreement of 5 February. Unfortunately, the country continues to face political and institutional uncertainty, which poses an obstacle to its sustainable economic and social development. We urge all key stakeholders in the country to make efforts jointly to tackle the most relevant task today, that is, the conclusion of the electoral process and the appointment of the new head of the executive, so as to serve all Haitians. We welcome the intention of the Government to ensure transparent and democratic elections, which are to take place without any external intervention. We are satisfied that technical preparations for this important event over the past month have gone smoothly, and we hope to see a successful finish to the electoral race. Haiti cannot afford any fresh stalemates in the light of the numerous social and economic issues facing its people. We wish also to express our concern regarding a certain surge in the number of cholera cases. On the one hand, we welcome the vigorous measures taken by the United Nations to counter this dangerous disease and overcome its impact. On the other hand, Port-au- Prince must also do its part to deal with issues such the provision of water as well as sanitation and health-care services. Resolving these problems will depend not only on outside financing but also on the efforts of local administrative bodies. Another priority is providing people with information about the disease and ways to avoid infection. Indeed, forewarned is forearmed. We would like to see the full implementation of MINUSTAH’s mandate. The capacity of the Haitian National Police is ever-growing, and it has demonstrated its ability and determination to ensure law and order. It is encouraging that the rise in crime is being contained. Any strikes are essentially for social and economic reasons, just as in other countries of the world. The police have been able to ensure control over mass events; they still receive support from MINUSTAH but in the near future should become fully operationally independent, in line with national law. We stand ready to carefully study the review of the United Nations presence in the country, which ideally should be carried out after the elections and the swearing-in of the new President, and should involve also an assessment of the professionalism and number of Haitian National Police troops. We hope that the document will contain information as to the results of activities carried out in past years as well as arrangements for a gradual drawdown of the United Nations presence in the country. In the context of preparations for this forthcoming stage, we need to develop a plan for the transition period and persistently strengthen MINUSTAH. I now resume my functions as President of the Council. I give the floor to the representative of Haiti.

I would be remiss were I not to begin my statement by conveying the heartfelt thanks and gratitude of the people and the Government of Haiti for the kind words and demonstrations of solidarity expressed to my country following the destructive strike of Hurricane Matthew last week, with its tragic consequences. To one and all, I say thank you, thank you, thank you, on behalf of the people and the Government of Haiti. I am pleased to have the chance once again to share the views of the Haitian Government on the important report of the Secretary-General on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) (S/2016/753), issued pursuant to resolution 2243 (2015), of 14 October 2015. Allow me also to express to the Security Council the deep gratitude of the President of the Republic and the Government of Haiti for its steadfast commitment for close to 12 years now in the process of building the rule of law and democracy in Haiti. The Government of Haiti would like also to thank the Secretary-General, Mr. Ban Ki-moon, for the high quality of his report to the Security Council. This document yet again bears witness, as if any more proof were needed, to the Secretary-General’s ongoing leadership in ensuring the success of the mandate of MINUSTAH. With the balance and objectivity characteristic of the Secretary-General, he takes an in-depth look at the various dimensions of the Haitian crisis stemming from the interruption in January 2016 of the electoral process and at the institutional difficulties and structural and context-based obstacles facing the country at this critical juncture, and voices concerns regarding the various challenges the country faces in the areas of security and human rights and on the humanitarian front. He also takes a close look at the achievements registered while underscoring the work that remains to be done so as to conclude the electoral cycle under way, which, as we all know, is crucial to Haiti’s long- term stability. The Government has duly taken note of the observations made by the Secretary-General. The return to constitutional order on 7 February 2017 is indeed the binding obligation that falls to the Haitian Government. The President of the Republic, His Excellency Mr. Jocelerme Privert, has made it the key feature of his work as Head of State. As he has pointed out repeatedly, in particular on 23 September from the rostrum of the General Assembly, (see A/71/PV.17), he has no other mandate than that which was invested in him by the National Assembly in accordance with the agreement of 5 February, namely, the completion and of the electoral process. Shouldering this historical responsibility, he is sparing no effort in achieving the conditions that will foster the organization of free, inclusive and fair presidential and legislative elections, under the aegis of the Provisional Electoral Council (PEC), allowing for the reset and normalization of our democratic institutions. The results achieved to date have been convincing. The Electoral Council has hit its stride. The electoral process is going smoothly despite the uncertainties of some of the most difficult economic and financial factors, characterized by, inter alia, the freezing and reduction of development aid. Of the total budget estimated at $55 million, the Government has already disbursed a first tranche of $25 million, enabling the PEC to hold the first round of elections. The campaign was launched on 23 August. The overhaul of the electoral mechanism, making it more reliable in line with the recommendations of independent electoral evaluation and verification commission, ensures the holding of fair and transparent elections. The first round of elections was set for 9 October. The upcoming elections are a necessary right of passage. Only they can dispel the “prevailing political uncertainty” mentioned in the Secretary- General’s report (S/2016/753, para. 10) to overcome the institutional crisis and finally address structural deficiencies, which are hampering the economic and social modernization of the country and are obstacles to the full development of human rights. The Government is grateful to the Secretary-General for welcoming in his report the “promising signs” that are reflected in [t]he commitment displayed so far by the national authorities to assume greater ownership of all facets of the electoral process, including financial and operational aspects” (ibid., para. 58). Similarly, we particularly appreciates his call to all our international partners for constructive cooperation in considering “further financial contributions, in particular with a view to strengthening the electoral council’s capacity to manage the logistical aspects of the electoral process” (ibid., para. 59). Finally, the Government fully aligns itself with the call for the partners to redeploy “international electoral observation and expert missions ... to diversify levels of scrutiny and promote confidence in the electoral process” (ibid., para. 59). Turning to security, the Government believes that, in the current context, MINUSTAH’s support to the Haitian National Police aimed at strengthening security, which is necessary for the success of the electoral process, remains crucial. It therefore notes with the greatest of interest the recommendation made by the Secretary-General that “the mandate of MINUSTAH be extended for a further six months, until 15 April 2017” (ibid., para. 61). With regard to the longer-term presence of MINUSTAH, the Government is in favour, following the elections, of sending the strategic assessment mission, the concept of which has already been agreed. It is well understood that the next Government, once elected, will have to jointly define with the members of the Security Council the terms of reference for the future Mission as well as the dimensions of the new configuration. Nevertheless, we believe it useful to recall the principled position of the Government with regard to the MINUSTAH transition plan under way and the profile of the future Mission, both of which must fully take into account the changing situation on the ground. In that respect, the smooth rolling out of the forthcoming elections should be a key indicator for the prospects for stabilization and medium- and long-term security needs. The key is to safeguard the achievements of MINUSTAH’s presence over past 12 years and enable Haitian institutions, in particular the Haitian National Police, to gradually and effectively take over the roles previously filled by the Mission. In the immediate future, and in tandem with the electoral process, we are supporting the efforts of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, which is working with police-contributing countries, to offset the current shortfall of 250 police officers against the authorized level of 951 officers. The Secretary-General’s report highlights a number of other challenges and notes his particular concerns about the worsening social, economic and humanitarian situation. It should be stressed that the recent reduction in official development assistance and the freezing of various cooperation programmes have significantly reduced public investment in necessary infrastructure, while limiting the United Nations response capability in providing humanitarian aid to the most vulnerable groups in Haiti. Moreover, the resurgence of the cholera epidemic has compounded an already deeply troubling health situation. In that regard, while we express our hope that, at the highest level, further talks between Haiti and the United Nations on the cholera epidemic will be undertaken as soon as possible, the Government wishes to commend the concerted action that the Secretary- General is deploying to implement a more substantial package that “would provide material assistance and support to those Haitians directly affected by cholera, [including victims of the disease and their families]” (ibid, para 62). The Government also notes with the greatest of interest the urgent call of the Secretary-General for “Member States to demonstrate their solidarity with the people of Haiti by increasing their contributions to efforts to eliminate cholera and provide assistance to those affected” (Ibid, para 62). In that vein, I would be remiss not to highlight the new approach recently adopted by the United Nations with regard to the cholera epidemic, which has been raging in Haiti since 2010. With admirable frankness, the Secretary-General officially acknowledged, based on irrefutable evidence, that the United Nations had a moral responsibility towards the victims of the cholera epidemic and that therefore, given the role it had played in the outbreak of the epidemic and the suffering of victims, it was incumbent upon the Organization to do more and make every effort to help Haiti in overcoming it. We welcome that courageous new attitude, which echoes the suffering of the victims and above all sends a clear message to the international community about the importance of switching from words to action in order to help Haiti deal with a humanitarian situation that has just deteriorated alarmingly in the wake of Hurricane Matthew. For the United Nations this is more than a moral imperative, it is a duty of international solidarity that will require a far more substantial effort than previous ones in order to significantly step up the fight against cholera, slow its progression and ultimately eliminate it, by helping the Government to develop the infrastructure needed to address its structural problems related to the provision of drinking water, sanitation and health care in Haiti. We hope that the new two-part approach recommended by the Secretary-General will result in an ambitious programme of action that will finally be equal to these challenges and that the Haitian people have been pleading for for a long time. In the same spirit, we welcome the enthusiasm of the international solidarity that has been expressed to the victims of last week’s disastrous hurricane, which, as the Council is aware, resulted in tremendous damage in various parts of the country, particularly the south, and which, as is understandable, has forced the general elections originally set for 9 October to be postponed to a later date. The Government of the Republic of Haiti is deeply grateful to all the friendly countries, the cooperative partners, the United Nations and the non-governmental organizations that have stood spontaneously and generously with the Haitian people in the face of a situation that has once again bordered on tragedy in some of the affected areas. The Government is grateful to the United Nations for the joint appeal to international solidarity, launched on 10 October, with the goal of collecting $120 million for aid for the next three months to the communities that have been tragically affected by Hurricane Matthew. In order to avoid the problems resulting from the fragmentation, misuse and ineffectiveness of aid that Haiti has unfortunately experienced all too often in the past, the Government hopes fervently that international action and donor contributions can be smoothly synchronized with the efforts of local stakeholders and appropriately channeled through the existing coordination mechanisms for external cooperation that have already been shown to work elsewhere. My country is at a crossroads. The next elections will be a test of our consolidation of a culture of democracy and the country’s long-term stability, economic modernization and development. The Government is fully aware of this and intends to show itself equal to the challenge and its mission. It is prepared to make every sacrifice and to take on its obligations in full, despite the extremely tenuous means at its disposal. It calls for cooperation on the part of all of Haiti’s partners on the logistical, financial and operational fronts, in order to enable the Provisional Electoral Council to complete the election process and to perform its urgent mission efficiently and effectively at this difficult juncture. The Government of Haiti would like to once again assure all of its partners in the international community that it will spare no effort to ensure the success of the forthcoming elections, which will be the proof of the peaceful political transition and return to a functional constitutional order that are the conditions for lasting political stability.

I now give the floor to the representative of Brazil.

We thank the Russian Federation for organizing this important debate on the situation in Haiti. I would also like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary-General, for her briefing and to reiterate my Government’s gratitude and respect for her work and continuing support to the consolidation of peace and democracy in Haiti. And I thank Ambassador Denis Régis for his statement. Brazil is standing by Haiti at another difficult moment. Hurricane Matthew’s passing through the Caribbean last week created the worst humanitarian crisis there since the devastating earthquake six years ago. We send our heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and we reiterate our willingness to help the Haitian Government to provide immediate assistance for the hundreds of thousands of people in urgent need. We commend the troops of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) for their commitment and we recognize the work they have been doing in these difficult days for Haiti. Even before the arrival of the hurricane, the military personnel of MINUSTAH’s Brazilian contingent were deployed to the most vulnerable parts of the country. In an impressive effort, they cleared roads and prepared airports to receive humanitarian aid in Les Cayes. They were the first to arrive by land in Jérémie, the capital of the worst affected department. As I speak, they are already supporting the Haitian authorities in the most challenging period for the reconstruction activities. Despite the necessary and justifiable postponement of the first round of elections, the Haitian authorities should not slacken the momentum for organizing their new date as soon as possible. Brazil strongly urges Haiti’s political actors to work cooperatively in the interests of their people, while joining forces in prioritizing the country’s return to full constitutional normality by completing the electoral process that is already under way in order to ensure the holding of free, fair, inclusive and transparent presidential and legislative elections. It is also crucial to ensure that Haiti’s political stakeholders spare no effort in encouraging citizens to develop a greater level of involvement in the upcoming electoral rounds. Brazil agrees with the Secretary-General’s assessment regarding stability and security in Haiti, while recognizing that the security situation remains relatively calm but fragile, owing to the prevailing political uncertainty. There are still reasons for concern about security, including gang activity, the smuggling of weapons, and politically motivated violence. We support the recommended extension of MINUSTAH’s mandate for an additional six months until 15 April 2017, while maintaining the current troop and police levels. According to Interim President Jocelerme Privert’s recent statement in the General Assembly (see A/71/PV.17), the military and police components continue to have a very relevant role in the country’s logistics, humanitarian and security operations. Regarding the strategic assessment mission to be undertaken for MINUSTAH, with a view to making recommendations for a future United Nations presence in the country, we expect that it will happen after the installation of the new President and the formation of a new Government. It is crucial to the success of any future decision to ensure that the United Nations conducts that pivotal process in consultation with the appropriate Haitian interlocutors. It is also essential to ensure that the reconfiguration process be guided by conditions on the ground and by the need to preserve and consolidate the progress that has been made in the past 12 years. Any prejudgement of the situation may jeopardize investments made by the international community in stabilizing the country so far. We concur with the Secretary-General’s observation that the Haitian National Police is not yet operationally independent and continues to rely on MINUSTAH’s support to fulfil its constitutional mandate. Despite its enhanced performance in preventing crimes and controlling civil unrest, we note with regret that the police force will not be able to reach the target of 15,000 officers by the end of 2016, as initially envisaged. Furthermore, we are concerned that only half of the Haitian National Police development plan for the period 2012-2016, one of the benchmarks of the Mission, has been attained so far. During the transition period, we encourage the Security Council to keep tools that are part of the MINUSTAH mandate aimed at developing quick-impact and community violence-reduction projects, as well as an adequate engineering capability. Experience in Haiti has clearly shown that such initiatives directly benefit the local population and assist in building confidence in the peace process and the Mission throughout its life cycle. Any future presence of the Organization in Haiti should take this success story into account and ensure the continuity of such activities in order to contribute to the sustainability of reconstruction efforts. The humanitarian situation continues to raise serious concern. Hurricane Matthew negatively impacted the living conditions of a significant number of internally displaced people, currently at 61,000, in a context of an increase in the number of new cholera cases and a decrease in the levels of food and nutrition security in rural areas. We commend the tireless response activities of the Government of Haiti and the United Nations, and underline the particular importance and urgency of the Haiti humanitarian response plan 2016 appeal, launched jointly to meet the critical humanitarian needs of 1.3 million people, including of the Haitians and persons of Haitian descent returning from the Dominican Republic. Brazil also underscores the importance of strengthening Haiti’s national health institutions and United Nations efforts to combat cholera, including through the Secretary-General’s initiative to support the national plan for the elimination of cholera for the period 2013-2022. We welcome his intention to develop a package that would provide additional material assistance and support for those Haitians directly affected by the disease. The Brazilian Government built, and currently supports, three community hospitals and one rehabilitation centre in Haiti, the largest project implemented so far by Brazil in terms cooperation, with a budget of $90 million. The Brazilian Government is also committed to maintaining its humanitarian cooperation efforts, as well as the current special immigration policy for Haitians. In that regard, I wish to recall that, according to the Brazil declaration entitled “A Framework for Cooperation and Regional Solidarity to Strengthen the International Protection of Refugees”, adopted in Brasilia on 3 December 2014, Latin American Governments consider people fleeing from natural disasters as victims who should be received and protected. We recall that the Peacebuilding Commission could assume a central role in the stabilization and development efforts in Haiti. Access to justice and poverty reduction are important elements in the promotion of Haiti’s development and stability, which deserve more careful consideration. They can help to empower the weakest and the poorest, especially through the effectiveness of social rights, and produce tangible dividends for the most vulnerable. In that regard, attention should be given to the further strengthening of Haitian judicial and correctional systems in order to support a more integrated and cohesive Haitian security sector. The programmatic resources recently allocated to those efforts can certainly contribute to reverse the slow progress towards consolidating the rule of law in Haiti. (spoke in French) Brazil continues to be committed to its Haitian brother and sisters in their efforts to establish a stable democracy and sustainable development. We are convinced that, as in several other periods of difficulty, Haitians will be able to overcome the current difficulties. The people of Haiti deserve all our support in order to break with the cycle of instability and political uncertainty, including through our support to the elections and the swearing in of a new President in Feburary 2017.

I now give the floor to Mr. João Pedro Vale de Almeida, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the United Nations.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the European Union and its 28 member States. I thank the Secretary General for his report (S/2016/753), and the Special Representative for her briefing. I also thank the Permanent Representative of Haiti for his statement. The following countries align themselves with this statement: the candidate countries Turkey, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia and Albania; potential candidate country Bosnia and Herzegovina; as well as Ukraine, the Republic of Moldova, Armenia and Georgia. At the outset, I would like to convey our condolences to the Government and the people of Haiti, who have been affected by Hurricane Matthew. The European Union, in solidarity with the people of Haiti, has decided to step up its support with a contribution of €1.5 million of emergency assistance to meet immediate needs. That funding is in addition to the €255,000 of humanitarian aid initially provided by the European Union and the funds made available by our members under the European Civil Protection Mechanism. Following the contested outcome of the elections in August and October 2015, the first round of presidential elections was annulled. The term of office of the interim President, which expired in June this year, was not renewed. The country is therefore in an anomalous institutional situation, and one that is very fragile. The completion of the electoral process in a context of legitimacy and transparency is the fundamental precondition for ensuring political and institutional stability. Concluding the process is also an urgent need to allow Haiti to face up to the many economic, social and environmental challenges facing the country. As in recent years, the efforts of all to ensure stability and security continue to be vital for the democratic consolidation process. The European Union remains a faithful partner of the Republic of Haiti and continues to be determined to support the country during this delicate stage, working with other partners. The European Union supported the holding of general elections in Haiti both in August and October 2015 in two ways: through a financial contribution of €5 million to the Trust Fund managed by the United Nations system, and by sending an election observation mission, which was requested by the Haitian authorities and in agreement with them. That mission, in a totally independent manner and according to a methodology and an established code of conduct in line with international standards, verified the compliance of all stages of the process with regional and international obligations and standards for elections, as well as with Haitian legislation. According to the mission’s observations, despite some irregularities, there were no significant problems with the outcomes of the first round of the presidential elections. However, the annulment of the results of the first round of the presidential elections and its consequences, which in fact go against the conclusions of the European Union election observation mission, led the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission to take the decision to withdraw that election observation mission. Beyond the judgment that the international community might draw on the annulment of the first round of the presidential elections, following a process that was not provided for under Haitian law and was not based on any agreement, it is clear that, in any case, the electoral process must continue and lead to peace, inclusion, transparency and legitimacy. As soon as possible the country must return to constitutional normality, with a President and a Government that are elected in transparent, inclusive and credible elections. The European Union has taken note of the revised electoral timetable, which was announced by the Provisional Electoral Council, and the delay in the balloting planned for 9 October due to the impact of Hurricane Matthew. We call upon all political actors in Haiti, in particular the interim President, to do everything possible to complete the electoral cycle under way and return to constitutional order as soon as possible. Everyone must demonstrate responsibility and restraint in that regard. The European Union is a long-time supporter and a friend of Haiti. It is also one of its main donors in terms of emergency assistance and in development aid. This financial support from the European Union, however, depends on respect for democratic principles, including the right of the people to choose their own Government through the ballot box, and not through street demonstrations. Political conditionality clauses are an integral part of the Cotonou Agreement, which links the European Union to the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States, of which Haiti is a member. Institutional stability is essential if European aid is to be effective and produce lasting effects that benefit the population. It is urgent and necessary to establish democratically elected and legitimate institutions that can immediately address the major economic and structural challenges the country faces. Although the overall security situation remains stable, it is nonetheless fragile due to tensions caused by the electoral climate. The European Union commends the professionalism of the Haitian National Police, which successfully managed the recent events on its own, for the most part. It believes that the presence of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) in the country, and in particular its support in maintaining security during elections, always bearing in mind respect for and the protection of human rights and the principles of sovereignty, remain important, even now, in ensuring that the process continues and that peace and stability prevail. Once conditions allow, based on the Secretary-General’s recommendations, we encourage reflection on the future of MINUSTAH. In conclusion, I would like to express the European Union’s gratitude for the significant contribution made by MINUSTAH to stabilizing the security situation and bolstering democracy and the rule of law in Haiti. The European Union remains committed to supporting the efforts of the Haitian authorities, the United Nations and the international community to ensure a better future for the people of Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Mexico.

At the outset, I would like to offer the condolences and solidarity of Mexico to the people of Haiti for the tragic loss of life and the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. Mexico joins the international community in offering humanitarian assistance to prevent the spread of the cholera epidemic and restore the supply of urgent basic services as soon as possible. On instructions from President Enrique Peña Nieto, my Government will provide resources, through the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation, to support Haiti in meeting those basic needs. The Government of Mexico would also like to thank Ms. Sandra Honoré for her work and dedication and the Secretary-General for his report on the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (S/2016/753). In spite of the delays in the electoral process in Haiti, it is important to acknowledge that the political players have made considerable progress, such as the re-establishment of the Provisional Electoral Council and the drafting of an electoral timetable. We are well aware that the hurricane’s impact affected the elections scheduled for 9 October, but we believe that Haiti cannot allow itself to be brought to a standstill yet again. That is why we eagerly await the announcement of a new election date and call on the political stakeholders to pool their efforts to prioritize stability, institution-building and the restoration of constitutional order. Mexico shares the Secretary-General’s concern with regard to the rise in the level of food insecurity among a significant segment of the Haitian population, as well as the increase in the number of cholera cases in that sisterly nation. We believe that it is essential to strengthen efforts to prevent those challenges from jeopardizing Haiti’s present and future. It is at critical moments like these, as Haiti seeks to grapple with the impact of Hurricane Matthew, that we recognize and value the vital role played by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH). Mexico reiterates the importance of ensuring that the possible drawdown of MINUSTAH is gradual and cautious and takes into account the progress made in overcoming the humanitarian emergency and strengthening political stability in the country. The plan for Haiti’s transition should be based on coordination between MINUSTAH, the States Members of the United Nations — in particular troop- and police-contributing countries — and, above all, the Haitian Government. We note the recommendations of the Secretary- General on extending the MINUSTAH mandate by six months. We hope that the strategic assessment to be made on the situation in Haiti will take into consideration, first, the situation on the ground; secondly, adjustments made to the election timetable and the restoration of constitutional order; thirdly, the security situation in the country; and fourthly, the progress made in enhancing the professionalism and the operational capabilities of the Haitian National Police. We believe that such an assessment should be conducted once the electoral process has been completed. In that way, the Secretary-General would have a comprehensive understanding of the situation so as to be able to offer recommendations on the future of MINUSTAH. Mexico hopes that the strengthening of institutions, and in particular of the Haitian National Police, will remain the cornerstone of efforts to restructure the United Nations presence in Haiti. Cooperation with MINUSTAH will remain vital to addressing issues of public order and to combating crime, as well as to ensuring that the Haitian National Police is better trained and able to shoulder greater responsibility. In conclusion, I would like to make it clear that Mexico, as a troop-contributing country, is grateful to other States that provide troops and police, to the Group of Friends of Haiti and to all of those who take part in MINUSTAH. Mexico is committed to continuing to work to lay the foundations of lasting peace in Haiti.

I give the floor to the representative of Colombia.

We thank the Russian Federation for having convened today’s debate on the situation in Haiti and the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, Ambassador Sandra Honoré, for her detailed briefing to the Security Council. Colombia aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the Ambassador of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. At the outset, allow me to extend the condolences of Colombia to the people and the Government of Haiti and to the loved ones of the hundreds of victims claimed by Hurricane Matthew as it swept through the Caribbean. We would also like to offer our solidarity in the light of the immense damage. Colombia sought to help ease the painful situation being endured by the Haitian population by donating emergency humanitarian aid, consisting of food and hygiene kits, which arrived on the coast of Port-au-Prince today on our national naval vessel 7 August. We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Haiti’s Provisional Electoral Council in accepting most of the recommendations of the Independent Electoral Evaluation Commission, which will allow for presidential elections to be held. In that regard, we reaffirm the importance of ensuring that the elections are free, fair, peaceful and fully respectful of democratic values and principles. Colombia is making an appeal to ensure that the devastation caused by Hurricane Matthew does not lead to unnecessary delays in the revised election timetable. It is crucial to maintain the rule of law in Haiti, and it is up to its Government and leaders to honour that commitment. Colombia shares the concerns outlined in the Secretary-General’s report (S/2016/753) with regard to the slow progress being made in consolidating the rule of law, as well as to the social and economic inequalities that have led to a significant increase in the number of protests and strikes since April. We are also concerned that, four months before the deadline date for implementation, only 58 per cent of the development plan for 2012-2016 has been implemented. The humanitarian challenges that Haiti faces are being exacerbated by the impact of the latest natural disaster and the increase in the number of suspected cases of cholera and the deaths resulting from the disease. In that regard, we welcome the Secretary-General’s intention to prepare a package of material assistance and support measures for Haitians who have been directly affected. Colombia believes that the advances made in the areas of security, rule of law, national reconciliation and sustainable development, including the fight against joblessness and poverty, are mutually reinforcing. Once again, we highlight the invaluable work done by the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti, and in particular the leadership of Sandra Honoré as the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of Mission, to ensure the sustainable well- being of the Haitian people. Our country reiterates its position that any decision about the permanence of MINUSTAH should be taken solely on the basis of the conditions on the ground, while taking into account the Mission’s contribution to the security and stability of the Haitian people, thereby avoiding backsliding in the progress already achieved. We recognize the important efforts of the Haitian National Police to increase its numbers, the ground it covers and its institutional strengthening. Colombia reaffirms its interest in maintaining its support for MINUSTAH by sending more Colombian police officers and by providing advice and training to officers of the Haitian National Police.

I now give the floor to the representative of Chile.

We thank the Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, for her briefing. We appreciate her leadership in these difficult circumstances. We also welcome the presence of the Permanent Representative of Haiti, Ambassador Denis Régis. Chile aligns itself with the statement to be delivered by the delegation of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. On behalf of the Government and the people of Chile, I would like to extend my sincere condolences to our Haitian brothers and sisters in connection wiht the devastating loss of life and material damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. We assure them of our solidarity, which initially consisted of a financial contribution through the International Committee of the Red Cross, with additional assistance to be provided later based on Haiti’s priorities. The latter includes the work on the ground being done by our national contingent as part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH), which is supporting all the tasks that it is responsible for in responding to this catastrophe. This is a reminder to the international community that it must continue to support Haiti. It is essential that the major donors support the recent emergency humanitarian appeal launched by the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, which seeks to raise $119 million to provide immediate lifesaving assistance to more than 750,000 Haitians. We must contextualize the terrible impact of the hurricane within the existing chronic vulnerabilities of a country that is highly prone to natural disasters and where there are also various long-term humanitarian and development challenges. As such, it is crucial to strengthen the response to overcome food insecurity and the cholera epidemic, among other challenges. In that regard, we note the recent strategy of the Secretary- General along two axes and we look forward to its prompt submission to the General Assembly. In this complex scenario, it is more important than ever that all the Haitian political players work cooperatively and constructively to make progress in strengthening the State and its institutions. We are confident that once the emergency situation has been normalized, the electoral timetable will be re-established. With regard to the strengthening of MINUSTAH, my delegation supports the Secretary-General’s proposal set out in his report contained in document S/2016/753. We believe that these recommendations are adequately reflected in the text, which is currently under consideration by the Security Council. It remains essential to continue strengthening national capacities in terms of the police, the rule of law, democracy and human rights, under the principle of national ownership, so as to build on the gains achieved thanks to the presence of the Mission. Historically, the Haitian people have demonstrated unique resilience. There is no doubt that once again they will use that resilience to overcome the greatest humanitarian catastrophe since the 2010 earthquake. I would like to conclude by reiterating Chile’s commitment to strengthening Haiti’s institutions and to the development of Haiti and its people. We call on Council members to adopt by consensus the draft resolution that will renew the Mission’s mandate, thereby showing the unity needed at this time.

I now give the floor to the representative of Peru.

I have the honour to speak on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti, which includes Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Guatemala, the United States, Uruguay, Venezuela and my country, Peru. I would like to join other speakers in regretting the tragic loss of life and devastation wrought by Hurricane Matthew and to share in the expressions of solidarity with the people of Haiti. The Group of Friends welcomes the presence of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Haiti, Ms. Sandra Honoré, and wishes to thank her for her comprehensive briefing and for the hard work she is doing. Strengthening the rule of law and democratic institutions, establishing a political culture conducive to democratic stability and improving socioeconomic conditions are key elements needed to achieve greater security, stability and prosperity in Haiti. In that regard, the Group of Friends deeply regrets the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew. The Group of Friends calls upon the international community for humanitarian assistance and is pleased that the United Nations system and the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) have been assisting in evacuations of vulnerable communities and other responses to the emergency needs of the country. The Group of Friends recognizes the postponement of the 9 October elections established in the revised electoral calendar as a result of Hurricane Matthew, but strongly hopes that the consequences of Hurricane Matthew will not jeopardize the deadlines of the revised calendar. Even with the devastation brought about by Hurricane Matthew, we urge the Government of Haiti to hold elections as soon as possible. The final results of the presidential election should be announced by 30 January 2017, and the installation of the newly elected President should take place on 7 February 2017, in accordance with the Haitian Constitution. The Group of Friends underscores the importance of the Government of Haiti, the Provisional Electoral Council, as well as political parties and all political actors, ensuring that the upcoming rounds of elections are conducted in a free, fair, inclusive, peaceful, transparent, credible and democratic manner and in accordance with the electoral law. The Group of Friends welcomes the efforts carried out by the Special Representative to promote the continuation of dialogue among all the national actors in order to strengthen the political process. The Group of Friends recognizes the increased capacity of the Haitian National Police and acknowledges the important role of MINUSTAH in ensuring stability and security in Haiti. In the light of Haiti’s current security challenges, including those related to the ongoing elections, the Secretary-General should continue monitoring closely the situation on the ground. In line with his latest report (S/2016/753), the Secretary-General should conduct a strategic assessment mission to Haiti by the end of the new mandate, which is to say, before April 2017, and preferably after the inauguration of a newly elected President and, on that basis, should present his recommendations on the possible withdrawal of MINUSTAH and the future presence and role of the United Nations in Haiti in his next report to the Security Council. The Group of Friends expresses gratitude to the personnel of MINUSTAH and to their countries and pays tribute to those injured or killed in the line of duty. The Group of Friends commends the wide range of reconstruction efforts in Haiti and the successful work done by MINUSTAH’s military engineering units. The Group of Friends reiterates the importance of the commitment by the Government of Haiti to strengthening the rule of law and to making further progress in the judiciary and the security sectors. In that respect, the Group would like to welcome the ongoing strengthening, professionalization and reform of the Haitian National Police, to reiterate that police capacity-building should remain a most critical task for MINUSTAH and to note that the Haitian National Police has continued to implement its 2012-2016 development plan, and to note as well MINUSTAH’s support for the development of the 2017-2021 strategic plan. The Group of Friends notes with concern the slow progress towards consolidating the rule of law and calls on the Haitian Government to address the deficiencies in the justice and corrections systems, prolonged pretrial detention, prison overcrowding, widespread corruption and the denial of human rights, including fair trial guarantees. The Group of Friends notes the continuing work of the Government of Haiti, MINUSTAH and others to protect members of vulnerable groups and urges the utmost attention of all actors to preventing and reducing violent crime, particularly against women and children, including rape and other sexual violence crimes, and supports continued violence-reduction efforts that promote the well-being of at-risk youth and vulnerable communities. The Group of Friends continues to support attention to gender and child-protection issues. The Group of Friends also expresses concern about the continuing humanitarian challenges and underlines the importance and urgency of the humanitarian response plan appeal launched jointly by the Government of Haiti and the United Nations to meet the critical humanitarian needs of 1.3 million people. The Group of Friends notes with concern that food insecurity was prevalent even before the current flooding of farm lands and loss of livestock. The ongoing efforts to eliminate the cholera epidemic remind us of the importance of sustaining cooperation between the international community and the Government of Haiti to meet the needs of the Haitian people. The Group of Friends takes note of the intention of the Secretary-General to develop a package that would provide material assistance and support to those Haitians directly affected by cholera. The Group of Friends of Haiti reiterates its commitment to the United Nations zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse, recalling resolution 2272 (2016), and in this regard expects all United Nations personnel to adhere to the highest standards of conduct. The Group urges all actors involved to assume their responsibilities in order to prevent such cases, investigate allegations and hold accountable those responsible. The Group stresses that there can be no genuine stability or sustainable development in Haiti without strengthening democratic institutions and credible democratic processes. In that context, the Group emphasizes the importance of promoting the rule of law through the strengthening of Haitian institutions and further reaffirms the responsibility of MINUSTAH for supporting the Haitian State by promoting improved governance structures, the extension of State authority and the promotion and protection of human rights, in accordance with its mandate. The Group of Friends reaffirms its solidarity with and commitment to the people and the Government of Haiti in their pursuit of stability, reconstruction, recovery, socioeconomic development and democratic consolidation. The Group of Friends of Haiti acknowledges the important role of MINUSTAH in supporting the efforts of the Government of Haiti to provide stability and security in Haiti, and expresses its support for and recognition to the women and men of MINUSTAH for their dedication and tireless efforts to support recovery and stability in Haiti.

I now give the floor to the representative of Canada.

Let me start by thanking Ms. Sandra Honoré for her briefing earlier today and her ongoing leadership. Canada aligns itself with the statement delivered by the representative of Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. Allow me, on behalf of all Canadians, to express our solidarity and friendship with the Haitian people after the devastation wrought by Hurricane Matthew. We are saddened by the heavy loss of life caused by the hurricane in Haiti. In view of those tragic circumstances, our immediate thoughts are naturally with the victims and their families and loved ones. We are committed to helping the stricken people of Haiti and will support them during these trying times. Canada rapidly deployed the Canadian Disaster Assessment Team to Haiti, which worked closely with Haitian authorities and international humanitarian organizations to assess the most pressing needs. Canada has already allocated more than $4.5 million to meet the urgent needs expressed by our partners. Canada’s humanitarian assistance is being delivered through United Nations humanitarian agencies and international organizations that are currently on the ground to address the emergency needs of vulnerable populations in such areas as shelter, food assistance, water, sanitation and basic health care in the coming days and weeks. This natural disaster poses an additional challenge to the organization of elections originally scheduled for 9 October. Helping victims must remain our top priority. Canada notes the decision of the Provisional Electoral Council to take stock of the situation after the hurricane and to communicate its assessment on Wednesday, 12 October. Canada urges the Haitian authorities, including the Provisional Electoral Council, to continue to pursue the electoral process diligently and resolutely and to provide an election date as soon as possible in order to inaugurate an elected president on 7 February 2017, at the latest. We also encourage all political actors, civil society and each citizen to contribute actively to a successful electoral process. The restoration of constitutional order through impartial, credible and transparent elections is an essential step towards greater stability and prosperity in Haiti. The emergence of strong democratic institutions, guided by the principles of representativeness and good governance, is an absolute prerequisite for the country’s reconstruction on a solid and sustainable foundation. (spoke in English) I wish to take this opportunity to reiterate Canada’s support for the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and the renewal of its mandate on the basis of proposals made by the Secretary-General and the Group of Friends of Haiti. We are also grateful to MINUSTAH and its components for their work in the country and with the population in the wake of this devastating hurricane. As highlighted by the Secretary-General in his most recent report to the Security Council (S/2016/753), the security situation remains fragile and the Haitian National Police must continue to rely on the support of the international community to pursue its professionalization and, ultimately, to fully and independently assume its security prerogatives. Consequently, Canada remains convinced that any decision regarding the mandate, composition and fate of MINUSTAH must be in keeping with the situation on the ground and the Haitian National Police’s ability to fully discharge its duties as a public service. MINUSTAH must also continue to have the resources and means necessary to carry out its mission. While MINUSTAH is not a permanent solution for security in Haiti, we should avoid reduction scenarios that could jeopardize the results achieved to date. Beyond security considerations, Haiti still faces a multitude of challenges. The socioeconomic situation remains precarious against a backdrop of chronic political instability and persistent humanitarian challenges, compounded by the recent disaster. There has been an increase in reported cases of cholera over the past year, and we applaud the Secretary-General’s intent to deploy renewed efforts to fight that problem. In addition, many victims of the 2010 earthquake are still waiting for a resettlement solution. The repatriation of large numbers of Haitians and people of Haitian descent from the Dominican Republic also continues to place demands on the State’s resources. At the same time, Canada continues to be concerned about the slow progress in strengthening the rule of law, persistent weaknesses in the judicial and correctional systems, and the status of women. More than ever, those challenges require not only coordinated and sustained action on the part of international partners, but also increased effectiveness on the part of the Haitian authorities, more particularly in terms of identifying needs, setting priorities and coordinating responses. Canada will continue, for its part, to work closely with national actors and the international community to focus on an integrated response combining socioeconomic considerations, a security dimension and development issues, while continuing to pay special attention to the most vulnerable, including women and children.

I now give the floor to the representative of Argentina.

Allow me, at the outset, to thank you, Mr. President, for convening this meeting. I also welcome the presence and briefing, via video teleconference, by Ms. Sandra Honoré, Special Representative of the Secretary- General for Haiti. I also thank her and her team for their work and commitment. We also thank the Permanent Representative of Haiti for his participation and statement at this meeting of the Security Council. Argentina aligns itself with the statement delivered by our colleague from Peru on behalf of the Group of Friends of Haiti. Allow me, in my national capacity, to express my country’s solidarity with the people and the Government of Haiti. We regret the tragic loss of human life caused by the passing of Hurricane Matthew, in particular in the southern region of the country. On Friday, 7 October, the mobile hospital unit of the Argentine Air Force, which is part of the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) and is made up of 12 doctors and nurses, was deployed to Les Cayes, the capital of Sud department, which was severely affected by the hurricane. Furthermore, the White Helmets Commission of Argentina’s Ministry for Foreign Affairs is developing an offer of humanitarian assistance, be presented in the coming days, to help the people of Haiti. We are receiving alarming information from our Embassy in Haiti regarding the loss of human lives, the destruction of infrastructure, the loss of crops and a lack of drinking water. Our humble assistance is added to that of friendly countries in the region, which have never turned their backs on the people of Haiti, as well as that of Haiti’s major donors and traditional partners. That assistance is essential in order for the country to face this new challenge imposed upon it by the forces of nature. Finally, my country would like to appeal to the Government of Haiti to renew its commitment to the deadlines set for the electoral timetable and to establish a new date for the elections as soon as possible. With regard to the draft resolution on MINUSTAH being considered by Council members, we urge its adoption by consensus in order to show unity in confronting the adverse scenario facing Haiti today. My country has always promoted the prompt re-establishment of a constitutional Government and the strengthening of democratic institutions, which no doubt will contribute to improving the well-being of the people of Haiti.