Further efforts are needed to support the Haitian authorities to implement targeted social and economic programmes in a bid to address the extreme vulnerability of the country, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the Untied Nations, has said.

Speaking at an open debate among the UN Security Council on Haiti in New York on September 9, Ambassador Le Luong Minh said that the international community’s support will also aim to deal with food insecurity which is affecting nearly two million Haitians.

Ambassador Minh stressed the progress achieved in the five benchmark areas of Haiti ’s Consolidation Plan as well as the vigorous efforts undertaken by Haitian President Préval for the national interest. However, he added that in spite of these positive developments, “we remain deeply concerned about the security environment and the lack of progress in the realisation of economic, social and cultural rights in Haiti ”.

“We are troubled by reports that children continue to suffer from criminal acts, with minors reported to be victims in numerous cases of rape, while child trafficking for the purpose of sexual or economic exploitation remains unchecked,” said Ambassador Minh.

The political and economic shocks coupled with the severe natural disasters that hit Haiti in 2008 have not only worsened the already dire economic conditions, but also hindered the full implementation of the Government’s strategy, he added.

The Ambassador affirmed that to ensure security and stability for Haiti, the international community’s strategy for Haiti should focus on enhancing the Haitian National Police (HNP), strengthening national and local governance and the rule of law, and placing the country on the path to recovery and sustainable development.

He also urged donors to fulfill the pledges made at the High-level Donor Conference hosted last April by the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington , D.C.

“We support the Secretary-General’s recommendation to extend the mandate of the MINUSTAH for an additional year, until October 15, 2010,” Ambassador Minh said./.