Basil Jarrett | Haiti: Answering the call

AS JAMAICA prepares to deploy a small team of soldiers and police officers to Haiti today, as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), it’s natural that questions, doubts, and even concerns are surfacing among the public. After all, it’s not every day that we send our military and police personnel to a country in such turmoil.

The situation in Haiti is deeply concerning – political instability, rampant violence, and a humanitarian crisis that continues to worsen by the day. And so, the decision to contribute to this mission is a strategic and moral one, demonstrating more than just a resolve to assist our neighbours, but also to contribute to the restoration of regional stability.

But there are legitimate concerns that we, as Jamaicans, must have. For example, what is the cost of this mission? How long will our troops be in Haiti? And how will this deployment affect the security situation here in Jamaica? All valid questions. However, it’s important to consider the broader context: Jamaica’s role as a regional leader, the security implications for our own shores, and the humanitarian need that demands our action and involvement.

COST OF THE MISSION

One of the primary concerns that many Jamaicans have expressed is the financial cost of this deployment. In that regard, the announcement that the cost of the deployment will primarily come from the MSS trust fund and will cover accommodations and sustenance for our personnel is a welcome one. This arrangement allows Jamaica to maintain fiscal responsibility while still supporting critical regional security efforts. By leveraging the MSS trust fund, we are able to effectively support the mission without adding significant financial burden to our already strained purse strings.

But even so, this is not about the financial burden on Jamaica, but rather, it’s about us stepping forward as a part of a broader international response and living up to those responsibilities. It’s a strategic investment, I believe, in the future stability of our region. The Caribbean is extremely interconnected and by helping to stabilise Haiti, we are directly contributing to the security of Jamaica and the rest of the region.

IMPACT ON LOCAL SECURITY OPERATIONS

The other concern is the impact this deployment might have on our security operations here at home. With violence and crime already high in our own country, some fear that sending 25 of our finest men and women to Haiti could weaken our ability to address our own challenges. The truth is, however, that this deployment ought not to diminish Jamaica’s security capabilities as both forces have emphasised that this deployment has been planned in a manner that ensures that local operations continue without disruption.

Bear in mind too that the JDF’s capabilities and support to local security operations extend beyond just manpower, numbers and boots on the ground. Furthermore, the deployment of personnel to Haiti could strengthen our own security in the long term, given that a secure Haiti has ripple effects across the Caribbean. From illegal immigration to arms and drug trafficking, a secure Haiti can reduce these threats to our own shores.

WHAT WILL OUR TROOPS BE DOING IN HAITI?

The Jamaican contingent, led by my good Wolmerian friend and Deputy Force Commander Lieutenant Colonel Kevron Henry, has said that setting up the MSS Multinational Headquarters will be the primary focus of the team. The team, he pointed out, is comprised of planners, analysts, and force protection specialists, and will be doing the critical work of establishing the necessary infrastructure to allow for a broader multinational force to function effectively.

That team will play a vital role in ensuring the coordination and strategic support needed to bring order to Haiti and will be working alongside our international partners to restore security, dismantle gangs, and lay the groundwork for rebuilding credible and effective Haitian governance.

SUSTAINABILITY OF THE MISSION

But just how sustainable is this mission? Certainly, a deployment of this nature cannot be indefinite. At this point, our forces are initially committed to a minimum of six months in Haiti. During this time, their role will be to assess the situation, provide operational support, and set the conditions for follow-on forces as the situation evolves. Those considerations will be critical in evaluating our ongoing contribution based on the progress made and the needs on the ground.

But it’s also important to remember that Jamaica is not acting alone. This is a multinational effort after all, involving partners from across the region and the world. Our contribution must therefore be seen as part of a larger strategy to restore peace and stability in Haiti, and the success of this mission will be driven by international cooperation.

HOW JAMAICA BENEFITS

At its core, this mission is about more than just helping Haiti – it’s about ensuring regional security and stability, which directly impacts Jamaica. A stable Haiti means a safer Jamaica. Moreover, our leadership role in this mission highlights our continued strength and influence within the region. This can not only open doors for future cooperation in trade, security, and development but also puts us in a good position, should, heaven forbid, we need similar support one day.

That’s all Jamaicans should get behind this mission. Our personnel are going to Haiti to make a real difference, not just for Haiti, but for the entire region. Their success is our success, and their courage deserves our full support.

Major Basil Jarrett is a Communications Strategist and CEO of Artemis Consulting. Visit him at www.thecrisismajor.com. Send feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com