Military training in Jamaica ahead of Haiti deployment

[Judi Lynn]

March 31, 2024

Approximately 70 Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members have been deployed to Jamaica to provide training to military personnel from Caribbean Community (Caricom) nations who are set to deploy to Haiti as part of the United Nations-authorised, Kenyan-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission.

The deployment was effected at the request of the Jamaican Government, Canada’s Department of National Defence said in a news release on Saturday.

According to the Canadians, the mission in Jamaica, known as Operation HELIOS, will see CAF members provide training to approximately 330 troops from Jamaica, Belize, and The Bahamas on core peacekeeping skills and combat first aid as well as carry out validation and integration exercises for Caricom troops.

The training will prepare the Caricom troops and bolster the Haitian National Police (HNP) in their efforts to restore security for the people of Haiti, the release stated, adding that the training will take place at the Canadian Armed Forces’ Operational Support Hub. The CAF personnel are drawn primarily from the 1st Battalion, Royal 22e Régiment from Valcartier, Quebec. Their deployment will last for an initial period of approximately one month, the National Defence Department said.

More:
https://www.jamaicaobserver.com/2024/03/31/military-training-in-jamaica-ahead-of-haiti-deployment/

[Judi Lynn]

1. Canada sends soldiers to train Caribbean forces for Haiti mission

12 HOURS AGO

Canada announced its deployment of troops to Jamaica to train Caribbean soldiers for UN mission in Haiti, aiming to assist in combating violence and providing humanitarian relief.

Canada has sent around 70 soldiers to Jamaica to train troops from Caribbean nations who are due to take part in a UN-authorised mission to Haiti, the Canadian defence ministry has said.

Saturday's deployment came after Kenya announced last year it would lead the force, which is designed to help national police fight powerful gangs in Haiti where spiralling violence has fueled a humanitarian disaster.

The initiative has been tied up in Kenyan court challenges ever since, effectively putting the mission on hold.

The Canadian troops, from the predominantly French-speaking province of Quebec, will provide training on core peace-keeping skills and combat first aid, the defence ministry said in a statement.

More:
https://www.trtworld.com/latin-america/canada-sends-soldiers-to-train-caribbean-forces-for-haiti-mission-17585247