A new 21-member Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Joint Task Force-Haiti (CJTF-H) relief team is being deployed to Haiti in support of the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission. This deployment is part of ongoing regional and international efforts to address the severe security and humanitarian crisis in Haiti, which has been marked by escalating gang violence and widespread instability since 2018.
Composition and Role of the CJTF-H Relief Team
- The relief team consists of 18 members from the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) and three from the Jamaica Constabulary Force.
- This deployment follows the rotation of an earlier advance team, which played a key role in establishing the MSS Headquarters and laying the groundwork for subsequent operations in Haiti.
- The team’s responsibilities include:
- Providing essential intelligence and operational planning support to the MSS Headquarters.
- Supporting the development and execution of mission strategy.
- Delivering security at the Logistic Support Area, the main operational hub for MSS personnel.
- Training other deployed personnel and maintaining critical assets such as Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs).
- Ensuring legal oversight and accountability through a dedicated legal officer.
Context: The Kenya-Led Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission
- The MSS Mission was authorized by the United Nations Security Council in October 2023 to help restore law and order in Haiti, with Kenya serving as the lead nation.
- The mission is multinational but not a formal UN operation, though it is backed by the UN Security Council. It coordinates closely with the Haitian National Police.
- CARICOM countries—including Jamaica, Bahamas, Guyana, Barbados, and Antigua and Barbuda—are key contributors, alongside nations such as Bangladesh, Benin, Chad, Guatemala, and El Salvador.
- As of early 2025, over 500 personnel from Kenya, Jamaica, Belize, the Bahamas, Guatemala, and El Salvador have been deployed, with the MSS aiming for a total force of approximately 2,500.
Strategic Importance and Challenges
- The deployment of CARICOM personnel is seen as vital due to their geographic proximity, cultural ties, and shared heritage with Haiti, which enhances the effectiveness of the mission3.
- The Jamaican contingent, in particular, has taken on both strategic and operational roles and has been recognized for its professionalism and resilience in a highly volatile environment.
- The MSS Mission faces significant challenges, including:
- Severe under-staffing and limited resources.
- Ongoing high levels of violence, especially in Port-au-Prince, where gangs control more than 85% of the city.
- Logistical and operational hurdles, including the need for sustained international funding and equipment.
Training and International Support
- CARICOM troops, including those from Jamaica, have received specialized training in peacekeeping, first aid, and operational integration, often with support from international partners such as Canada.
- Canada’s Operation HELIOS has played a key role in preparing CARICOM forces for deployment, emphasizing the protection of civilians, conduct and discipline, and medical readiness.
Conclusion
The deployment of the 21-member CJTF-H relief team underscores CARICOM’s ongoing commitment to supporting Haiti’s stabilization through the Kenya-led MSS Mission. The team’s multifaceted role—ranging from operational support to legal oversight—reflects the complexity of the mission and the critical need for regional and international cooperation in addressing Haiti’s security crisis.