Religions for Peace’s Statement On Haiti – October 10, 2022
Supporting the United Nations Secretary-General’s Calls and Urging for Multi-Religious Solidarity and Collaboration
On October 9, 2022, the United Nations Secretary-General, noted his grave concern about the situation in Haiti, and urged the international community, including the members of the United Nations Security Council, to “consider as of matter of urgency the request by the Haitian Government for the immediate deployment of an international specialized armed force to address the humanitarian crisis, including securing the free movement of water, fuel, food and medical supplies from main ports and airports to communities and health care facilities”. The Secretary-General also called on Haitian stakeholders to “rise above their differences and to engage, without further delay, in a peaceful and inclusive dialogue on a constructive way forward”.
In solidarity with the people of Haiti, and with appreciation and solidarity also with the efforts of its national Interreligious Council which suffers the travails of the country’s political and social unrest, and as convenors of the multi religious equivalent of the United Nations – Religions for Peace – we strongly support the calls of the United Nations Secretary-General.
As the world’s largest, oldest and longest serving multi-religious leadership and grassroots body for over 50 years, with Interreligious Councils in over 90 countries, Religions for Peace adds its voice to also urge the global religious communities to work together.
We know that while immediate humanitarian relief requires all stakeholders to collaborate to save lives, it is when the diverse religious actors also work together, in service to all, that long term social cohesion is sustained within, and around, any country. These are among our lessons learned seeking to serve sustainable positive peace efforts, in all corners of the world, for 5 decades.
As the governments of the world are urged to come together to serve the immediate needs of the Haitian people, the religious leaders within and outside Haiti, also need to lead by example, to serve, together, urgent humanitarian needs, and to secure long term peace.
Religions for Peace is committed to continuing to support such multi religious efforts.
Prof. Azza Karam (Ph.D.)
Secretary General, Religions for Peace