A group of 30 Army and Navy officers embarked May 25 to Port-au-Prince, capital of Haiti. They are part of the 3rd Contingent of the Brazilian Peace Force and will integrate, for six months, the United Nations stabilization mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH).
“We will have a very active participation supporting the process, which will take place from October to December, in Haiti, during presidential and parliamentary elections,” said the Head of Social Communication of the 3rd Contingent, lieutenant colonel Jorge Antônio Smicelato.
The military will also participate on reconstruction projects in Haiti managed by the United Nations, such as road infrastructure construction and maintenance, and restoration of schools and hospitals.
According to the lieutenant colonel, this is the first time that Brazilian personnel are going to perform this type of work in that country.
The Army has bought appropriate equipment worth US$ 8.6 million. This expense will be reimbursed by the United Nations.
On June 1st, 145 officers of the Engineering Company will also leave Brazil to work on reconstruction projects in Haiti. By June 13th, a total of 1,200 Brazilian military officers will have been sent to that country.
Agência Brasil
