The Challenge of Keeping Haitians Safe
Robert Maguire, Chairman of USIP's Haiti Working Group, analyzes the various aspects of security – political, economic, personal and criminal – in Haiti.
Summary
- President Michel Martelly takes office at a time when Haitians are frustrated with the pace and scale of earthquake recovery and insecure about the future.
- Haitians are uncertain what to expect from their new leader who has promised much and who now must address a broad range of immediate needs.
- Progress toward improved personal, social, economic, environmental, political and energy security for Haiti’s citizens has been mixed.
- The Haitian National Police comprise an important building block for improving Haiti’s personal safety and security environment. A greater effort is needed to deal with Haiti’s chronic problems with jobs, education, health care and housing.
About this Brief
This report is based on views expressed during a May 25, 2011 public forum entitled “The Challenges of Keeping Haitians Safe” hosted by the U.S. Institute of Peace Haiti Working Group. The forum featured panel presentations by Ambassador Thomas Adams, Haiti Special Coordinator, U.S. Department of State; Farid Zarif, Director, Europe and Latin America Division, Department of Peacekeeping Operations, United Nations; Dr. Yasmine Shamsie, Assistant Professor, Wilfrid Laurier University, Waterloo, Canada; and Dr. Robert Fatton, Associate Dean for Graduate Programs, University of Virginia. Professor Robert Maguire, Chairman of the USIP Haiti Working Group, moderated the session and co-authored the report.
