By Corporal Joseph Lewis
Headquarters, Jamaica Defence Force (Civ/Mil Co-op)

Since its devastating 7.0 earthquake over two weeks ago, the Haitian people have been desperately trying to put the pieces of their broken lives back together.

For its part, the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) has deployed approximately one hundred and sixty (160) soldiers which includes Doctors, Medics, Engineers and Infantry men, to help the Haitian people regain some sort of normality in their lives.

These specialists have been involved in various operations such as search and rescue missions, delivering relief supplies, medical aid and escort duties.

The medical teams in particular have been very busy. They have been working tirelessly carrying out numerous procedures such as major surgeries, treating open fractures, amputations, maternity cases and other crucial procedures.

“It has been an overwhelming experience for me so far,” said Lance Corporal Nahja Brown of the Medial Company. He went on to say that most of the cases that he has done here are more severe than anything he had done back in Jamaica.

“After leaving Haiti, when my tour here is finished and if given the chance, I would definitely come back to help the Haitian people,” he said.

In addition to broken limbs and broken bodies, the people in Haiti have also seen a lot of structural damage to their homes and businesses. In response, the JDF has also deployed a team of engineers to assist in the infrastructural rebuilding of the country.

“I think the people are very receptive of us,” said Lieutenant Carl Clarke the officer in-charge of outreach operations. “The soldiers are working very hard issuing food and other items to the Haitian people,” he continued.

Lt Clarke also mentioned that JDF engineers have conducted a number of building assessments and passed them safe so that people were able to move back in.

With the limited resources that have been facing the force, the JDF is still soldiering on to ensure that food supplies reach the most desperate people in the more remote areas in the capital Port Au Prince. As a result, the United Nations have stepped in to help in areas such as transportation of food and supplies.

The JDF has pledged to continue to help in whatever ways to assist the Haitian people as they try to recover from the deadly earthquake. It is going to be massive task, but one that the Force has pledged to support to its fullest.