the world
At a time when Haiti is experiencing appalling violence and human suffering, Edgard LeBlanc Fils is asking the world to help his country. A conversation about a moment of anxiety, distraction or emotion can end up going viral on social media.
An unexpected moment occurred when Haiti’s interim president drank water from a pitcher during his speech to the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday. Edgard LeBlanc Fils later realized his mistake, and before finishing his speech, took the glass to help himself.
In his speech, the political leader called for international assistance to help his country recover from the current security crisis.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres referred to Haiti in his speech, recalling that “despite our challenges, there is appalling violence and human suffering in the face of a “chronic failure” to find solutions. The face is solvable.”
“Historical Injustice”
Edgard LeBlanc Fils described his country as “a great victim of a historical injustice” and demanded that France pay “just and appropriate reparations” to cover the colonial-era debt imposed on Haiti.
“This debt is unjustified and has crippled the capacity of the Haitian people for generations,” LeBlanc told the UN. Haiti, he said, “does not seek charity, but justice, respect for its dignity and the right to a dignified and prosperous existence.”
After saying the word dignity, he tried to drink the water from the jug next to him. The speech ended with less resonance than viral memes on social media.
Gangs control almost the entire country
It is in Haiti A deep political and security crisis It has already caused hundreds of deaths. Since February, the region has been taken over by gangs that control almost the entire country, leading to the resignation of the prime minister.
An interim presidential committee has been appointed and will organize elections in the country, which are expected to be held in February 2026.
First Fighting between armed groups The government stepped up in February 2024, turning Haiti’s capital city of Port-au-Prince into a scene of violence and insecurity that has forced tens of thousands of people to flee their homes in recent months.
Due to unsanitary living conditions and lack of water, sanitation and hygiene services, many took refuge in overcrowded shelters set up across the city. system Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has intensified efforts to address these gaps.
More than 578,000 people have been displaced in Haiti. About 112,000 people currently live in 96 temporary locations in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area: schools, churches, sports complexes. There are no drinking water and sanitation facilities in many places. On the other hand, the risk of diseases transmitted by untreated water increases.
Edgard Leblanc Fils, a UN chief who aims to combat the violence of these gangs. He also expressed gratitude for the support received from the peacekeeping mission led by him.
The UNGA79 high-level debate began on Tuesday in New York, in the presence of dozens of heads of state and government from around the world, and will continue until the 30th.