THE United Nations security council was evaluating options including the immediate activation of foreign troops to help Haitian police fight off gangs that have caused a scarcity of fuel, water and other basic supplies.

Such a force would “remove the threat posed by armed gangs and provide immediate protection to critical infrastructure and services,” as well as secure the “free movement of water, fuel, food and medical supplies from main ports and airports to communities and health care facilities,” according to a letter UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres submitted to the council on Sunday.

The letter, which has not been made public, said one or several member states would deploy the force to help Haiti’s national police.