News

Panama City, Panama | 30 January 2026 – After two days of high-level sessions, the ACS formalized a Regional Plan of Action aimed at addressing the humanitarian and development crisis in the Republic of Haiti. The meeting featured the active participation of the ACS Membership and international organizations, which consolidated a critical roadmap for the region’s stability.

To ensure that the agreements translate into concrete action, it was announced that implementation of the roadmap has formally begun under the supervision of an Ad Hoc Steering Committee made up of 11 countries of the Association.

As one of its priority functions, this Committee will carry out a detailed mapping of all cooperation projects and actions undertaken by United Nations (UN) agencies and regional partners. This technical assessment will make it possible to identify existing capacities and evaluate opportunities to scale up humanitarian action, ensuring that support reaches the most vulnerable areas efficiently.

“In a global and regional context marked by tensions, uncertainties, and multiple crises, maintaining regional unity is a strategic decision. The consensus we seek entails aligning visions, positions, and aspirations for the well-being and development of our peoples. Nothing is superfluous and everything counts when it comes to strengthening our region and supporting member states such as Haiti,” said Noemi Espinoza, Secretary-General of the ACS.

The Plan is grounded in a voluntary cooperation framework that prioritizes Haitian leadership and the nexus between emergency assistance and sustainable development:

1. Humanitarian Assistance: Focus on food, health, water, and sanitation.
2. Sustainable Transition: Strengthening basic services and reducing disaster risk.
3. Innovative Financing: Mechanisms to mobilize resources from the diaspora and combat “crisis fatigue.”

Immediate priorities include support for local procurement for school feeding and safeguarding critical services for children, seeking a recovery that strengthens the country’s economic and social fabric.

This initiative responds to the complex, multidimensional crisis facing Haiti. In the country, the political crisis and insecurity have triggered a situation of extreme vulnerability for approximately 50% of its population.