Kenya, Dominican Republic partner on medical access for Haiti Mission
The MoU signed in Santo Domingo, will allow for medical evacuation, repatriation of injured personnel, and logistical access for Kenyan peacekeepers operating in Haiti.
Kenya and the Dominican Republic have signed a new agreement aimed at supporting the multinational peace mission in Haiti, while deepening bilateral ties between the two countries.
The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in Santo Domingo, will allow for medical evacuation, repatriation of injured personnel, and logistical access for Kenyan peacekeepers operating in Haiti.
During the first political consultations between Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Dominican Republic Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez, both leaders focused on the security crisis in Haiti and the need for regional and international support to stabilize the country.
They agreed that Haiti’s instability has a direct impact on the Dominican Republic and other nations in the Caribbean, making coordinated global efforts essential.
"The Dominican Government appreciates Kenya’s leadership of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. It’s an anchor of peace and security efforts in the region," Álvarez said.
He added that the Dominican Republic had already provided medical care to about 20 mission members, describing the support as respectful, dignified, and compassionate.
Mudavadi emphasized that the MoU reflects Kenya’s strong commitment to the mission and to the safety of its personnel.
"We are taking steps to ensure our officers in Haiti have access to emergency support. This agreement shows our dedication to making the mission effective and to protecting our people," he said.
Both countries acknowledged the achievements made by the MSS Mission in strengthening the Haitian National Police and restoring order with public backing.
However, they voiced concern about the limited equipment and logistical support available to personnel.
They called on the international community to urgently fulfill their pledges and enhance support.
The leaders also discussed the proposal to transform the mission into a hybrid operation under the United Nations to provide consistent and sustainable backing.
"It is time for the international community, especially regional countries, to act decisively and push this forward," Mudavadi stated.
In addition to the Haiti-related agreement, the two nations signed another MoU on diplomatic training, creating a partnership between Kenya’s Foreign Service Academy and the Dominican Republic’s Institute for Diplomatic and Consular Training.
