Yesterday, the U.S. government provided 12 boats, 4 sport utility vehicles, and 11,000 hand-crank radios to Haitian officials as part of the U.S. government’s partnership with the Haitian government and the Direction de la Protection Civile (DPC). It builds upon U.S. efforts to strengthen the DPC's ability to prepare for and respond in case of severe natural events.

U.S. Air Force General Douglas M. Fraser, Commander of U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM), presented the equipment on behalf of the U.S. government and said, "This equipment is a tangible representation of the United States' enduring partnership with Haiti and will further enhance the substantial progress the Direction de Protection Civil has made in increasing Haiti's response capacity...."

By focusing on the Ministry's plan for risk management, the Haitian Minister Thierry Mayard-Paul stated "With this equipment, us, the Haitian government, will be better able to react to help the Haitian people if necessary."

The Minister of Interior, Me Thierry Mayard-Paul, in his speech for the occasion thanked the U.S. government and said that "the visit of General Douglas Fraser, commander of U.S. Southern Command coincides with the second anniversary of January 12, 2010 and that the Haitian people still remember with emotion the generous efforts of the U.S. Southern Command in the days that followed this tragic event."

The Minister Mayard-Paul, has also indicated that "one of the most important lessons, learned of the presence of U.S. Southern Command during this national tragedy was the importance of the many roles that the military can play in these circumstances. By your example, you showed us how we can move forward by establishing a new democratic military force in Haiti," he concluded.

The U.S. Department of Defense is funding more than $30 million in construction projects throughout Haiti, to build 9 Emergency Operations Centers (EOC) and warehouses with emergency equipment, 8 schools, 8 community centers, 6 medical clinics, and 14 fire stations. The Naval Facilities Engineering Command has deployed an officer to Haiti to oversee the construction projects. These projects and the donated equipment strengthen the Haitian response networks, and will help make Haiti a safer place. Today's ceremony took place at the EOC built in March 2011, which the Haitian government is using as its national emergency operations center.

HL/ HaitiLibre