UN peacekeeper legacy in Haiti marred by sexual abuse allegations

UN troops are accused of sexually abusing minors and inadvertently introducing cholera into Haiti. Many nationals view their presence as affront to national sovereignty.

Some young women have managed to confirm paternity in cases of abuse and exploitation by UN staff or peacekeepers. August, 18, 2016
AP

Some young women have managed to confirm paternity in cases of abuse and exploitation by UN staff or peacekeepers. August, 18, 2016

As the long-running United Nations mission in Haiti draws to an end, Haitians have raised concerns about the numerous sexual abuse allegations dogging peacekeepers. 

The mission was deployed in 2004 to help stem political violence after the departure of president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, but it left behind a troubling legacy.

A 2015 report by the UN detailed how peacekeepers partook in transactional sex with at least 200 women, men and children.  Dozens of Haitian women also say they were raped, the AP found.

A UN fund to help victims of sexual abuse and exploitation by peacekeepers and UN staff grew to $1.5 million last month, following contributions from 10 more countries including Sri Lanka, whose troops were implicated in a three-year-long child sex ring in Haiti.

The mission's reputation was further tarnished in 2010, when Nepalese UN peacekeepers introduced cholera, leading to an outbreak that killed thousands of Haitians.

TRT World's Anelise Borges reports from Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

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