The Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Haiti has been in contact with families of ROC nationals in Haiti and will adjust its services as necessary as Haiti grapples with unrest, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Tuesday.

Haiti, a diplomatic ally of Taiwan, is facing many challenges, such as difficulties maintaining social order, inflation, rising gas prices and cholera, prompting nationwide protests and humanitarian concerns, MOFA spokeswoman Joanne Ou (歐江安) said in Taipei.

Due to fuel shortages and the rationing of utilities, some foreign missions in Haiti have temporarily closed or suspended some of their services, and while Taiwan’s embassy in Port-au-Prince is still functioning as normal, it could make adjustments based on developments in the country, Ou said.

Amid the unrest, the U.N. Security Council approved sanctions on Oct. 21 on gangs in Haiti that fuel gang violence and worsen the economic, security and humanitarian situation in the country, including imposing a one-year travel ban, asset freeze and arms embargo on individuals or entities.

Ou said that despite the difficult situation, all ROC nationals in Haiti, including businesspeople, embassy staff and their families and technical mission members remain safe.

Taiwan has also responded to calls from like-minded countries to take action to help Haitian police more effectively discharge their duties by equipping them with bulletproof vests purchased from Taiwanese companies, she said.

Meanwhile, the government was continuing to work with U.S.-based charity Food For the Poor in supplying rice to Haiti to alleviate the food shortage, she said.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel