OTTAWA - As part of Operation HORATIO, HMCS St. John's from Halifax, along with elements of the Joint Headquarters Kingston, have completed their support to the World Food Programme's (WFP) humanitarian operation in Haiti.
HMCS St. John's was involved in a coordinated effort that saw them delivering desperately needed humanitarian aid by hand, crane, sea and air. The ship's sailors and air-crew delivered more than 450 metric tons of rice, corn-soya meal, bottled water, water-purification tablets and other relief supplies over a 13-day period. Flying in excess of 20 aircraft missions, the ship's Sea King helicopter, home-based at 12 Wing Shearwater, delivered more than 300 cargo loads. In addition, Joint Headquarters Kingston supported and helped coordinate on the ground with other government departments from Canada, the Government of Haiti and the WFP.
Operation HORATIO was launched as a result of the Government of Canada's decision to assist in the delivery of humanitarian aid after the country was ravaged by severe hurricanes. At the request of the Haitian Prime Minister and the WFP, the Canadian Forces was asked to focus its efforts in the southern region of the country, where needs were not being met. HMCS St. John's was dispatched to the area and immediately took action.
The WFP advises that they now have sufficient sealift capability and helicopters in place to take over the efforts of the Canadian mission. Having met their objective and proud of their contribution, the Joint Headquarters Kingston, along with HMCS St. John's and her air detachment, are on their way back to their home port in Halifax, where they are expected to arrive early next week.
The long-term security, stabilization and development effort underway in Haiti is a priority engagement for the Government of Canada. HMCS St. John's effort was part of a comprehensive response to the humanitarian situation resulting from the impact of the storms, which also included $5.6 million in humanitarian assistance channeled through trusted humanitarian partners to provide water and sanitation, food, shelter and health care to those who are most in need, as well as emergency relief supplies. Canada is a leading donor in Haiti, with $555 million committed to 2011. Haiti is the largest recipient of Canadian assistance in the Americas, and the second largest worldwide.
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Notes for news and assignment editors:
For more information on Operation HORATIO, visit: www.cefcom.forces.gc.ca/site/ops/horatio/index_e.asp.
For still imagery of HMCS St. John's deployed in Haiti, visit Canadian Forces Combat Camera at http://www.combatcamera.forces.gc.ca/.
