Coordinating the relief umbrella for Haiti

On 25 January, the Foreign Affairs Council agreed to further reinforce the European Union's contribution to aid efforts by upgrading the number of European police officers on secondment in Haiti to 300. They also agreed on how to work more collaboratively and to coordinate assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake.

© European Union

The EU already participates in the police force under the UN's stabilisation mission in Haiti, MINUSTAH. The mission has been present in Haiti since 2004 to strengthen stability in the country. The Council agreed on a collective EU contribution of at least 300 personnel to boost MINUSTAH's police capability. This includes the contribution made by those EU member states which are part of the European Gendarmerie Force (EGF) for a temporary reinforcement of the mission.

The Council discussed further coordination of the EU's assistance after the initial emergency stage: humanitarian aid, restoration of government structures, reconstruction and security. It agreed to set up a coordination cell - EUCO Haiti - in Brussels to centralise information and match contributions to needs.

The EU's assistance is to be provided in response to specific requests from the United Nations. Member states will in particular provide engineering expertise and equipment to clear the roads to facilitate the transport of aid as well as a maritime logistic capability which can operate without port facilities.

More information:
Council Press release 
Council webcast of press conference