By KEILE CAMPBELL

Tribune Staff Reporter

kcampbell@tribunemedia.net

NATIONAL Security Minister Wayne Munroe said yesterday The Bahamas remains committed to the mission in Haiti and has no plans to withdraw its involvement, despite the Trump administration’s decision to freeze over $13m in funding for the international security force in Haiti.

The US government’s decision to freeze funding is part of a broader review of foreign aid under the “America First” policy.

This freeze has raised concerns about its impact on ongoing stabilization efforts in Haiti, where powerful gangs control significant portions of the capital, Port-au-Prince.

When asked about the freeze and its effect on The Bahamas’ involvement in the mission, Mr Munroe noted that the effort is not solely reliant on American support, as other countries have also contributed.

“Fortunately for the MSSM (Multinational Security Support Mission) mission in Haiti, we had donors other than the US, although they were a major donor,” he told reporters on the sidelines of an event yesterday.

“The US, as I understand it, has paused. It has not taken a decision to cancel it. It is also in the US’ national security interest in my consideration for there to be a stable Haiti,” he said. “The training in Jamaica was paid for by the Koreans, the Japanese supplying aid to the questions. There are other countries in the world other than the US.”

He said The Bahamas continues to contribute to maritime security in the region and that it is in the country’s best interest to remain involved in efforts to stabilise Haiti, to prevent mass migration to The Bahamas.

“We have to be very mindful, if Haiti degenerates, you can have an outflow of millions of Haitians coming in this direction that creates, as the Prime Minister describes it, an existential threat to a country of 400,000 people,” Mr Munroe added.

“We deem it necessary to participate in making sure that Haiti does not degenerate to the point that its 11 million population could consider streaming out and coming in our direction.”

The Bahamas has been proactive in its support for Haiti’s stabilisation.

Last year, a six-member advance team from the Royal Bahamas Defence Force (RBDF) was deployed to join the (MSSM) in Haiti. The team has been in contact with Commodore Raymond King, who reported no concerns.

Additionally, last month, an RBDF vessel was redeployed to patrol offshore areas near Haiti after returning to The Bahamas for repairs due to defects encountered during its mission.