Press release
04 February 2010
Ministry for Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Justice
Sweden to send police and prison officers to Haiti
The Government today decided to contribute to the United Nations Stabilisation Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH) by providing three police and four prison officers.
"Sweden is providing extensive humanitarian support to mitigate the emergency situation in Haiti. We now can also supplement this support by providing police and prison officers to the UN Stabilisation Mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH," says Minister for International Development Cooperation Gunilla Carlsson.
The Security Council has decided to expand the mandate of MINUSTAH by an additional 1 500 police officers, including 100 prison officers, with the aim of supporting the efforts to create stability and facilitate reconstruction in Haiti.
"The disastrous earthquake that struck Haiti also damaged vital social structures, and MINUSTAH is therefore necessary not least in order to facilitate humanitarian efforts and reconstruction in the unstable and vulnerable environment in Haiti," adds Ms Carlsson.
Sweden's support for the emergency situation in Haiti now amounts to some SEK 215 million. In addition, Sweden has already paid its entire annual contribution of SEK 425 million to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). The Fund is in urgent need of resources after being nearly emptied as a result of the Haiti disaster.
The Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency has some 30 people in place in Haiti, taking part in various teams. Their tasks include securing communications on site and setting up a base camp for UN staff. In addition, the Agency is seconding staff to the World Food Programme (WFP) and UNICEF in Haiti.
Contact
Peter Larsson+46 8 405 10 00
Martin Valfridsson
Press Secretary to Beatrice Ask
