A 21-member relief team from the CARICOM Joint Task Force-Haiti (CJTF-H), comprised of 18 members of the Jamaican Defence Force (JDF) and three members of the Jamaican Security Forces (JSF), will be deployed to Haiti as part of the Multinational Security Support Mission (MMSS), the JDF announced. The team will continue the work begun by the CJTF-H advance contingent, which deployed to Haiti in September 2024. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43179-haiti-flash-d-1-pre-deployment-of-jamaica.html

The JDF announced that the initial advance contingent was returning to Jamaica after its successful deployment to Haiti as part of the MMSS. This contingent, led by Colonel Kevron Henry, was deployed to help establish the MSS Headquarters and lay the foundation for follow-on forces operating in one of the most volatile security environments in the region.

According to the FJD, throughout its deployment, the Jamaican contingent played a strategic and operational role in support of the Mission's mandate. One of the team's most significant contributions was the provision of essential intelligence and operational planning support to the Headquarters, contributing to the development of mission strategy and the implementation of coordinated security operations in Haiti.

In addition, the contingent members were responsible for ensuring the security of the Logistics Support Area, the main base where the Mission's personnel and critical facilities are housed.

Colonel Henry stated : "Our team performed with professionalism, courage, and unwavering discipline in one of the most challenging operating environments in the region. The threat level in Haiti is high and constant, but our personnel were highly motivated and undaunted. They contributed meaningfully to the development and execution of the MSS mission and represented Jamaica with distinction."

The JDF stated that the personnel rotation reflects Jamaica's long-term commitment to the Mission and to Haiti.

SL/ iciHaïti