Canadian and Sri Lankan troops have been conducting joint humanitarian operations in Leogane Haiti, the epicenter of a devestating 7.0 magnitude earthquake. The two forces have been providing protection for aid distribution.
A Canadian and Sri Lankan soldier direct a Haitian crowd to food supplies in support of “Operation Hestia.” (Pictures by DND)
“We enjoyed working with the Sri Lankan forces, they are professional and we have developed a good friendship,” said Major Gaetan Bedard (Canadian forces liaison officer with the Sri Lankan battalion) speaking from Haiti in a telephone interview with The Sri Lanka Reporter.
“When we arrived they were a good help to us, since they had been working in the area as part of United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti (MINUSTAH),” said Major Bedard. The troops are from Canadian Forces Base Valcartier in Quebec, they have an added advantage of being able to speak with Haitians in French.
Major Bedard told The Sri Lanka Reporter that 80 to 90 percent of the buildings in the area had been destroyed, but added that economic activities have started to rise as temporary shelter became available to quake victims. Forces in Leogane have been delivering three types of aid to Haitians; shelter, water, food, medical essentials.
In addition, Canadian and Sri Lankan forces have received praise from a top German official in the area. Quoted by Canada’s QMI news agency, Christoph Burk of the company GTZ thanked two forces for their professionalism and described their work as “exemplary”.
