The United Nations Security Council authorized a Kenyan-led mission to restore stability to Haiti on Monday, a year after officials in the nation initially requested assistance.

The poor country has been in disarray, with armed gangs taking control of areas of the country and unleashing deadly bloodshed, and the economy and public health system in shambles.

Haitian Prime Minister Ariel Henry and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres have sought foreign help to aid the police force since 2022.

Guterres stated in a recent assessment that the security situation in Haiti has deteriorated, with gang members outnumbering and outgunning the police.

According to the UN, nearly  2,800 killings occurred in Haiti between October 2022 and June 2023, with 80 children targeted.

The resolution was approved by 13 votes, with China and Russia abstaining, and was lauded by Haitian Foreign Minister Jean Victor Geneus as providing a "glimmer of hope for people who have been suffering the consequences of a difficult political, socio-economic, security, and humanitarian situation for too long."

Kenya agreed to head the force and send 1,000 troops in July, signaling a breakthrough.

In a statement, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed that the people of Haiti should not be let down, explaining they had  "borne the brunt of colonial plunder and repression."

"This mandate is not only about peace and security, but also about the rebuilding of Haiti -– its politics, its economic development, and social stability," Foreign Minister Alfred Mutuaa expressed.

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The "multinational security support mission" will provide "operational support to the Haitian National Police, including building its capacity through the planning and conduct of joint security support operations."

The mission is initially approved for one year, with a review after nine months. It also aspires to aid in facilitating elections, which have not happened since 2016. 

The United States has been advocating a multinational force. On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his department would continue working with Congress to provide $100 million in foreign assistance, and that the Pentagon is prepared to provide up to $100 million in enabling support.

For the resolution to pass, China had to choose not to apply its veto. Haiti is one of a dwindling number of nations that recognizes Taiwan.

China, in the run-up to the Security Council meeting, voiced doubts and pointed a finger at the United States, highlighting the role of weapons from Florida in aggravating the violence.

The US and Canada have been shipping military equipment to Haiti for "security" reasons, including armored vehicles used by police against "criminal gangs". It was reported that until October 28, Haiti was receiving additional weaponry.

The resolution expands an embargo on light weapons and ammunition.

On his part, Beijing's UN envoy Zhang Jun made it clear that China was still skeptical, stating Monday that "without a legitimate, effective and accountable government in place, any external support can hardly have any lasting effects."

"Human rights, accountability, safety and dignity of the Haitian people must remain at the forefront of this policing mission," Amnesty International Kenya said, calling for robust measures to protect Haitians from any abuses.

In the past, the UN's so-called "peacekeepers" raped women and girls and sexually exploited them for food in return. They were also responsible for the toxic waste in the Artibonite River, the longest on the island of Hispaniola, which caused a cholera epidemic in 2010 and killed 10,000 people. The UN hasn't paid any compensation to the victims or their families.

The resolution does not specify the size of the mission, although discussions have revolved around a force of about 2,000 personnel.