• Ambassador Albert Ramdin prioritizes Haiti amid ongoing crises.
• Haiti experiences significant forced migration to nearby Caribbean nations.
• Ramdin aims to re-establish the ‘Group of Friends of Haiti.’
• Collaboration with CARICOM is crucial to governance processes.
• The ‘Haitian Road Map’ aims to restore security and stability.

OAS Chief Highlights Commitment to Haiti’s Recovery

OAS Secretary General Albert Ramdin is prioritizing the recovery and stability of Haiti, specifically during his term spanning from 2025 to 2030. He stressed in a recent interview with The Sunday Gleaner that the current political, security, and governance crises in Haiti are paramount to the Organization of American States’ mission. Ramdin stated, “I have made Haiti a priority and we are working very hard on Haiti currently,” referencing his commitment to upholding the OAS’s core principles—democracy, human rights, security, and development—amid the country’s escalating issues in the absence of a functioning government.

Reviving International Cooperation to Help Haiti

In light of the severe humanitarian crises unfolding, forced migration from Haiti into neighboring Caribbean states like Jamaica and The Bahamas has raised alarm. Ramdin noted that he intends to revive the ‘Group of Friends of Haiti’ within the OAS framework and collaborate more intensively with CARICOM and other international partners. The high-level discussions he engaged in during the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting recently held in Montego Bay, with leaders including Jamaica’s Prime Minister Andrew Holness, aimed to further clarify joint efforts. He acknowledged CARICOM’s pivotal role in facilitating governance under current conditions by fostering conversations around the Transitional Presidential Council, which bridges the ongoing electoral void.

Developing a Long-Term Strategy for Haiti

Looking ahead, Ramdin explained that OAS will partner in a long-term strategy titled the ‘Haitian Road Map,’ focusing on a multi-faceted plan with Haitian authorities. The immediate objective involves enhancing security measures and providing access to vulnerable communities. He emphasized, “We need better security in Haiti€¦. Security and humanitarian assistance are to be provided, but they need to be well organized,” outlining the necessity of securing roads and ports to facilitate assistance. This strategy will also involve the OAS supporting citizen identification initiatives to bolster future elections. Meanwhile, other international agencies like the Inter-American Development Bank and the Pan American Health Organization are also involved in responding to Haiti’s ongoing crisis, especially in restoring essential services like education and healthcare.

Reforming Governance and Increasing Regional Solidarity

Ramdin is conscious of the multifaceted issues Haiti faces—migration, education deficiencies, and extensive debt, all worsened by climate change—underscoring that collaborative solutions are vital for the entire Caribbean region. The OAS, alongside CARICOM, emphasizes a comprehensive approach to governance, including constitutional reforms and economic revival, as indispensable steps toward Haiti’s eventual recovery and stabilization. After all, as he stated, moving toward elections requires more than just a return to the polls; it necessitates addressing the foundational issues of health, educational infrastructure, and security that underpin the nation’s resilience.

In essence, OAS Chief Albert Ramdin is committed to prioritizing Haiti’s recovery during his tenure, addressing critical issues spanning governance, security, and humanitarian needs. His collaboration with CARICOM and various international partners aims to establish a long-term strategy through a detailed framework to restore stability. As challenges like migration and climate change reveal, a unified regional response is crucial for both Haiti and the broader Caribbean community.