Dominican Republic Serves as Logistics Hub for Military Equipment Bound for Haiti
Armored vehicles and military gear shipped from Germany will travel by sea to Haiti to support the deployment of Bangladeshi troops.
Key points
- The equipment arrived on several flights from Germany and was stored in Dominican territory.
- Bangladesh has 50 advance personnel deployed and plans to contribute about 1,600 soldiers and police.
- The Gang Suppression Force had 2,285 members, according to Diario Libre.
- The UN-authorized maximum strength is 5,500 soldiers and police.
The Dominican Republic served as a logistics hub for receiving, storing and shipping equipment bound for Haiti, destined for the Bangladeshi contingent that will join the Gang Suppression Force, according to Diario Libre.
The cargo arrived on several flights from Germany and remained in Dominican territory. It will now be transported by sea to neighboring Haiti. Images of the operation show armored vehicles and other military equipment loaded onto the ship.
Bangladesh has 50 advance personnel deployed and plans to contribute about 1,600 soldiers and police. Their arrival was scheduled between mid-October and late November.
Daniela Kroslak, head of the UN Support Office in Haiti (UNSOH); Maike Friedrichsen, German ambassador; and Ramón Pérez Fermín, vice minister of management and operations of the Foreign Service, took part in the event. Kroslak thanked the Dominican government for facilitating the operation, and Friedrichsen acknowledged Dominican support and expressed hope that the assistance will help improve security in Haiti.
The international force is mandated to combat gangs and support Haitian authorities. UNSOH provides transport, fuel, food, communications, infrastructure and medical assistance to sustain its operations.