Canada sent, Friday March 29, 2024, 70 members of the Canadian Armed Forces to Jamaica, at the request of the Jamaican government, to train the military of the countries of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) who will go to Haiti in the framework of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS).
According to a press release from the Canadian National Defense, as part of the Canadian mission, called Operation HELIOS, CAF members will provide training in core peacekeeping skills and combat first aid, in addition to conducting validation and integration exercises for CARICOM troops.
The Canadian training aims to prepare CARICOM troops to participate in a deployment as part of the Kenyan-led and UN-authorized Multinational Security Support Mission (MMAS) in Haiti to support the efforts of the Haitian National Police (PNH) with a view to restoring security for the Haitian people. It will take place at the Canadian Armed Forces operational support hub in Jamaica, the press release said.
Speaking on the issue, Canada’s Minister of National Defense, Bill Blair, said: “Canada is committed to supporting the Haitian people as they work to create a peaceful and more prosperous future. By helping our CARICOM partners prepare for deployment for UN-authorized MMAS, Canada is answering the call with important contributions to security in Haiti. We will continue to support Haitian efforts to create stability and we thank all FAC members involved for their contributions to this mission. »
Canadian National Defense indicates that the Canadian soldiers participating in the deployment mainly come from the 1st Battalion of the Royal 22e Régiment in Valcartier, Quebec. Their deployment will last for an initial period of approximately one month. The Canadian Armed Forces expects to train approximately 330 CARICOM troops from the Bahamas, Belize and Jamaica.
The Canadian body recalls that this instruction constitutes only one of the ways for Canada to support the MMSS led by Kenya and to strengthen the capacities of CARICOM partner countries, because Canada had already promised last February, via its Minister of Foreign Affairs, an envelope of $80.5 million to support the deployment of the mission.
For her part, Mélanie Joly thanked the members of the Canadian Armed Forces for their dedication and support for the successful deployment of the MMSS, which she described as “a crucial step in the restoration of security, public order and democracy in Haiti.
Furthermore, she maintains that Canada believes in solutions put forward by the Haitian people to resolve the political, security and humanitarian crises in Haiti, affirming that her country will continue to collaborate with Haitian stakeholders, CARICOM and partners. international organizations to strengthen the security and justice sectors, as well as to protect the Haitian people and encourage their efforts to restore peace, public order and prosperity in the country.
