Haiti, Haitian Times, Inglês

Editor’s note: This Q&A was originally conducted in French and has been edited for length and clarity.

The Haiti editor of The Haitian Times, Fritznel D. Octave, sat down with senior reporter Juhakenson Blaise, who has been on the ground covering Haiti’s gang crisis, to clear up confusion about United States funding for the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission. After weeks of conflicting reports, rumors have spread that the U.S. has completely stopped funding the mission—so what’s the truth?

Blaise breaks down the reality of the MSS mission’s financial struggles, the role of U.S. aid, and why many Haitians remain skeptical about the mission’s impact.

​​What was the goal of the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission?

Blaise: The MSS mission was established following a United Nations Security Council resolution that allowed Kenya to lead a multinational force to support the Haitian National Police. The goal was to restore security, particularly in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, where gangs have taken control. However, from the beginning, the force faced major financial and logistical challenges, making it difficult to operate effectively.

Did the U.S. actually stop funding the MSS mission?

Blaise: No, the U.S. did not fully stop funding the MSS mission, but it did temporarily pause certain funds through the United Nations. What happened is that the Trump administration issued a 90-day freeze on foreign aid spending, which included a freeze on the remaining $13.3 million of the $15 million the U.S. has contributed to the MSS mission and is now money basically just sitting in a U.N. coordinated fund.

However, the U.S. has pledged a total of $300 million, with $285 million directed to Haiti through other channels, including the State Department and Department of Defense. This includes:

• $43 million for Haiti’s police and MSS forces
• $6 million in new equipment (including firearms and protective gear)
• The U.S. pledged $300 million of the $600 million suggested annual budget calculated by a UN Trust Fund, which was established to collect voluntary contributions from member nations for the mission. Of the $300 million pledged by the U.S., $15 million went directly to the UN Trust Fund while the rest is directly allocated to Haiti through the U.S. State Department in different forms.

So, while there is a temporary freeze on one part of U.S. aid (UN-coordinated funds), the U.S. still actively provides funding through the State Department. The funding the U.S. is giving directly to Haiti is hard to quantify as it comes in the forms of weapons or transportation, medical supplies, and whatever the U.S. decides to give. It’s hard to say, for example, how much the 20 armored vehicles the U.S. State Department sent on Feb. 14 cost. 

When it’s all said and done, it just has to all add up to the 300 million pledged.  

Why did the Trump administration freeze foreign aid?

Blaise: Trump’s foreign policy is focused on “America First,” meaning he wants to reevaluate all foreign aid spending before allowing more money to go overseas. The 90-day pause is part of that process.

Octave: That’s why there’s so much uncertainty. If Trump decides to cut foreign aid further, Haiti could receive even less support in the long run. The concern is that even though funding hasn’t stopped completely, the MSS mission is already struggling with money—and things could get worse.

Is the MSS mission running out of money?

Blaise: Yes, funding has been a major issue from the start. The MSS force was supposed to have 2,500 troops deployed by now, but as of February 2025, they haven’t even reached that number because of financial delays.

Haiti was hoping enough UN members would come forward to contribute to the $600 million annual budget for the mission. However, only six countries initially pledged to the UN-coordinated trust fund, amounting to $84 million. But so far, the main financial backers are:

• Canada ($45 million)
• The U.S. ($15 million to the fund a total $300 million pledged, exact amount received by Haiti so far is unclear)
• Spain ($3 million)
• Other countries contributing smaller amounts

As of September 2024, UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed reported that the UN Trust Fund, established to collect voluntary contributions from member states for the mission, has received less than $67 million in cash, falling short of the $84 million pledged by six countries. The contributors are Canada ($45 million), the United States ($15 million), France ($3 million), Spain ($3 million), Italy ($360,000), and Turkey ($50,000).

Even with this funding, the MSS does not have enough personnel, equipment, or vehicles to carry out its mission effectively. The force doesn’t even have combat boats or fully armed helicopters, making it difficult to confront heavily armed gangs.

While countries like the U.S. and Canada have pledged money and resources, some countries have pledged troops, including Kenya, Guatemala, Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas and El Salvador. 

How have Haitians reacted to the MSS mission so far?

Blaise: Many Haitians are frustrated because they don’t see the impact yet. The MSS force was deployed, but areas like Carrefour, Gran Ravin, and Village de Dieu are still under gang control.

Octave: If you look at social media, you’ll see a lot of skepticism and criticism. People were expecting the MSS to quickly restore security, but instead, the force is understaffed, underfunded, and struggling to operate. That’s why there’s been so much backlash online—Haitians are asking, “What is this mission actually accomplishing?”

Blaise: The MSS was supposed to work alongside Haitian police to fight gangs, but the police force itself lacks resources. Even with support from Kenya and other countries, gangs still have the upper hand in many areas.

What’s next for the MSS mission?

Blaise: Right now, everything depends on funding. If more money comes in, the MSS could get the weapons, vehicles, and troops they need to be more effective.

But if Trump’s administration continues cutting foreign aid, Haiti’s security situation could worsen even further. The MSS mission is already struggling—and without proper support, it may not be able to stop the gangs.

Final thoughts?

Octave: The biggest takeaway is that U.S. funding has not stopped completely, but Haiti is not getting enough support to make a real difference yet. The MSS mission is moving too slowly, and many Haitians don’t trust it because they don’t see real change on the ground.

Blaise: If Haiti doesn’t get the financial and military support it was promised, gangs will continue to expand their control, and the security situation could get even worse.