B.D.F. soldiers home from Honduras
They’re home. The B.D.F. soldiers deployed to Honduras last month to distribute supplies and goods returned to Belize today. During their time away they learned a lot about conducting a humanitarian mission and how the efforts of even a small country like Belize can make a big difference.
After spending thirty long hard days and nights, working in over thirty communities devastated by Hurricane Mitch in Honduras, thirty soldiers of the Belize Defence Force returned home by boat earlier this afternoon. The soldiers, who were greeted by Jorge Espat, Minister of National Security, were presented with certificates of appreciation for a job well done. According to Major Lloyd Gillett, the contingent’s commander, while the expedition involved a lot of coordinating, it was not that difficult to accomplish.
Major Lloyd Gillett, Contingent Leader
“B.D.F. contingent was responsible for providing food for thirty five communities spread along the coast and up three rivers. And we provided food for these people for the whole month that we were there and right before we left, we left them with two weeks’ supply.”
Gillett says over seventy thousand pounds of food, that came from Belize were handed out to Hondurans who, because they lost many of their plantations due to flooding, were desperately in need of the supply. But getting the food to Honduras was one thing. According to Lieutenant Roger Montero, who headed the marine expedition, there were some difficulties getting food and medicines out to the victims.
Lt. Roger Montero, Leader, Marine Expedition
“It was difficult to get to all the places that we went due to the fact the sea was rough and the bar mouths were shallow, the river had strong currents. You had a lot of debris, a lot of fallen trees. We had a lot of plants, like plantation, like bananas coming down the rivers so we had to be very careful.”
The B.D.F.’s medical team also treated over eight thousand people who came to them with various serious diseases.
Cpl. Said Gillett
“A lot of diarrhea, people were drinking a lot of contaminated water and we had fungus because of being in muddy water. Their feet, all over their skin were full of funguses. The main problem is medication; there is a lack of medication. That’s what the people really need right now.”
The soldiers say the expedition has touched them in more ways than one and believe what they saw will always be with them.
Lt. Roger Montero
“The exposure did do us some good. It made us realize that the things we wouldn’t realize could happen, could happen to us and we were just fortunate that it didn’t happen to us.”
Cpl. Said Gillett
“The people; most of them just look at us and said thank you Belize, as if they did not expect Belize to be there. Everywhere we went, they thank Belize because of the help we were giving them.”
The Belize Defence Force was also assisted by members of the Police Force. To all you guys we say, well done and it’s good to have you back home. Jacqueline Woods for News Five.
