Prime Minister Andrew Holness says Jamaica stands ready to send members of the security forces to Haiti as part of an international effort aimed at restoring stability to the violence-torn French-speaking Caribbean nation.

Holness gave the commitment during a ministerial statement in the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

“Jamaica will be willing to participate in a multinational security assistance deployment to Haiti under the appropriate jurisdictional parameters to support a return to a reasonable level of stability and peace, which would be necessary for any inclusive democratic process to take root,” shared Holness.

“Both the JDF (Jamaica Defence Force) and the JCF (Jamaica Constabulary Force) have been alerted to this possible course of support and they would have started to plan for such eventualities as part of their routine situational awareness and response readiness,” the prime minister added.

He told the House that the Jamaican Government and Jamaicans are “deeply concerned about the humanitarian and security crises being experienced by Haitians”.

He also noted that “the people of Haiti continue to have their human rights threatened by powerful gangs and militias which perpetrate heinous crimes, including killings, kidnappings and acts of violence against women and children”.

“These have escalated with the recent murders of policemen,” said Holness.

The prime minister noted that Jamaica, through a joint Caricom statement strongly condemned the recent round of violence in Haiti.

“Today (Tuesday) I reiterate that condemnation and extend our condolences to the families of the fallen officers,” he said.

Holnes also pointed out that nearly five million Haitians face acute hunger, “and cases of cholera and cholera-related deaths continue to pose grave difficulties for the country’s public health system.

“Indeed, there are several emergency level crises now in Haiti”.

Holness said Jamaica continues to collaborate on efforts to deliver on Haiti’s request for international assistance.

He said: “While internal deliberations within Caricom remain ongoing, Jamaica restates our preparedness to support a united international effort in response to the persistent and deteriorating emergency in Haiti.

“We note with interest an initiative being contemplated within the OAS (Organisation of American States) to strengthen the organisation’s response to the increasingly complex and challenging situation in Haiti. Jamaica will remain closely involved in efforts within this body to develop constructive approaches at the hemispheric level”.

Holness pointed out that from a bilateral perspective, Jamaica and Haiti are neighbours enjoying longstanding good relations and partnerships.

“We have long signalled, and here I reiterate, our willingness to provide specific bilateral support including in the areas of electoral reform, capacity building and logistics.

“The Government of Jamaica also stands prepared to host our Haitian brothers and neighbours here in Kingston, for constructive talks and negotiations between Haitian political leaders and civil society actors, should this be an agreed approach,” Holness said.

He concluded that “It is our real hope that Haiti will soon overcome her challenges and embark on a part towards the restoration of stability, longlasting peace and sustainable development for her land and people, with the full backing of the international community”.