Dominican president to meet UN chief over aid through closed Haiti border

A United Nations human rights expert on Monday called on the Dominican Republic and Haiti to resume talks to reach a quick, peaceful end to a total border shutdown Dominican authorities launched on Friday over construction of a canal.
U.N. expert for Haiti William O’Neill said the closure would hurt jobs and businesses that depend on cross-border trade and have “dire” results on access to essential goods in Haiti, which is already facing a humanitarian crisis.
He called on the countries to seek international arbitration if needed.
“Directors of medical clinics in Haiti have told me that they will not be able to care for their patients if access to the Dominican Republic is cut off,” O’Neill said in a statement.
“Lives are at stake,” he added, noting that at least a quarter of food is imported through the border and calling on the Dominican Republic to allow the delivery of all humanitarian assistance and essential goods.