Civil Rights Leaders Morial and Sharpton Request Urgent Meeting with Biden Administration Officials Regarding Humanitarian Crisis in Haiti

By National Urban League
Published08 AM EDT, Sat Oct 5, 2024
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NEW YORK (March 15, 2024) – National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial and National Action Network President and Founder Rev. Al Sharpton today sent the following letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and U.N. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, requesting a meeting on the humanitarian crisis in Haiti:

To:    Secretary of State Antony Blinken

           National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan

      United Nations Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Dear Secretary Blinken, Advisor Sullivan, and Amb. Thomas-Greenfield:

As leaders of two of the nation’s historic organizations dedicated to civil and human rights and social justice both domestically and internationally, we urgently request to meet with you regarding the evolving humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

We are deeply concerned the escalating violence, political instability, and economic hardship facing the Haitian people.  The chaos engulfing the nation has reached unprecedented levels, leaving its three million inhabitants, especially women and girls, in a state of peril.

Given the unprecedented challenges facing the country, particularly in the capital city of Port-au-Prince, it is imperative that the Biden Administration engage with us and other stakeholders on the human rights emergency unfolding in Haiti and call on the Administration to send aid and support immediately. Time is of the essence and this Administration must prioritize Haitian lives.

As a model of democracy and human rights, the United States has a moral obligation to intervene and support the people of Haiti during this time of crisis. We urge you to include Haiti at the forefront of your international agenda and to take decisive and swift action to address the critical situation unfolding in Port-au-Prince.

Specifically, we call on the Administration to:

  • Coordinate with international partners to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, including medical supplies, food, and shelter, to the people of Haiti.

  • Work with Haitian authorities to restore law and order in Port-au-Prince and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the violence.

  • Support initiatives aimed at protecting women and girls from gender-based violence and ensuring access to essential healthcare services, including maternity care.

  • Engage the civil and human rights community by briefing us on the actions being taken by the U.S. government to support the Haitian people.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. We look forward to an immediate meeting with you and stand ready to support your efforts to address this crisis.