Belize Defence Force soldiers helping Haiti

An earthquake devastated Haiti earlier this year on January twelfth. Since then, many countries have lent a helping hand in the reconstruction efforts. This week at the request of the Louisiana Army National Guard headed for Haiti, as part of Task Force called “Kou’t Men” which means Helping Hands. The soldiers will also get first hand training to enhance their skills in deployment procedures. News Five’s Delahnie Bain has a report.

Delahnie Bain, Reporting

A deployment from the B.D.F. Light Engineering Company is working side by side with the Louisiana Army National Guard to assist with the rebuilding process after the seven point one earthquake in Haiti. The New Horizon Mission is an initiative that is expected to benefit both countries.

Lt. Col. Ganey Dortch, Chief of Staff, B.D.F.

“We see this venture as very important for our light engineers’ skills in that they were formed like two years ago and as a result of that it is very important to get them as much practice as possible in the unlikely event that Belize should suffer from a natural or manmade disaster then we can have the assistance or the deployment of these troops to those areas to restore Belize to normalcy if required.”

After the devastation in Haiti, relief efforts were provided in several forms. B.D.F. Chief of Staff Lieutenant Ganey Dortch told us what areas the local deployment will assist.

Lt. Col. Ganey Dortch

ganey dortch

“They will be assisting with medical projects, also light engineering projects like building of buildings, help with reconstruction of some of the buildings that were destroyed by the earthquake. They will also be learning from the Louisiana Army National Guard deployment procedures and procedures as it relates to how to go about assisting after a disaster.”

The B.D.F.’s work with the Louisiana Army National Guard over the years has focused not only on disaster management, but also on the overall operation of the force. And Dortch says the current mission is big step forward.

Lt. Col. Ganey Dortch

“Deploying the Light Engineering Company alongside the Louisiana National Guard will speak volumes of Belize’s looks—how we look at humanitarian efforts and it will put Belize on the map. So apart from just gaining training in deployment procedures, it will give Belize that respect that even though we’re small and even though we’re lacking in resources, we are able as a small nation to lend a helping hand to our neighbours and to regional partners that in times of need, we’re there to assist.”

There will be three deployments; each consisting of thirty soldiers. The first platoon left on Wednesday and the final group is expected to return on September nineteenth. Delahnie Bain for News Five.