PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti – The United States has reaffirmed its support for the Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, clarifying that it has not halted all assistance despite earlier reports of a funding freeze.
In a statement on Thursday, February 6, the U.S. Embassy in Haiti announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had approved waivers for $40.7 million (approximately Ksh 5.2 billion) in mission-critical assistance to both the MSS mission and the Haitian National Police (HNP).
“The Department of State approved waivers for $40.7 million in foreign assistance to benefit the HNP and MSS mission,” the statement read, detailing logistical contracts for forward operating bases, vehicle maintenance, medical services, transportation of U.S.-provided equipment, and support for subject matter experts working with the HNP.
Statement on U.S. Support to MSSThe United States has not paused all assistance for the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. On the contrary, the Secretary Rubio approved waivers to allow for millions of dollars in mission critical assistance to the MSS mission and…
The Embassy further disclosed that as of Wednesday, February 5, the U.S. government had delivered heavy armored equipment to the MSS mission and the HNP in Port-au-Prince, underlining its continued commitment to the security initiative.
This clarification follows an announcement by United Nations Secretary-General’s spokesperson, Stephane Dujarric, on Tuesday that the U.S. had officially requested an immediate halt to its contributions to the MSS mission’s UN Trust Fund.
The freeze affected approximately $15 million, but the U.S. Embassy emphasized that these funds account for less than 3% of the total U.S. contribution to the mission.
Kenya, which is spearheading the MSS mission, downplayed concerns over the funding pause.
President William Ruto’s National Security Advisor, Ambassador Monica Juma, assured that there are sufficient funds from other international donors to sustain operations.
“It is true the U.S. contribution to the UN Trust Fund for MSS Haiti is on pause, affecting about $15 million in support. It is also true that the MSS mission is a priority and a beneficiary of the waiver. Meanwhile, there are sufficient funds in the UN Trust Fund for Haiti from other countries—approximately $110 million—to continue operations,” Juma stated.
The MSS mission, designed to bolster security in Haiti amid escalating gang violence, has faced delays, including setbacks in funding.
However, the latest statement from the U.S. Embassy signals that Washington remains committed to supporting the initiative, even as broader financial considerations come into play.
