… and a Royal Navy auxiliary ship leaves for Haiti

(BRUSSELS2) A Royal Navy auxiliary vessel will leave Marchwood (Southampton) within a few days, for Haiti. He will be in the region in about two to three weeks where he will bring food and aid provided by the Department for International Development (DFID - the UK Department for Cooperation), NGOs as well as goods purchased with donations received by the Disasters Emergency Committee.

Le FRG Largs Bay is a versatile vessel. On board, about 40 sailors and 10 personnel from the 17th "Port and Maritime Royal Logistic
Body". Il has an advantage: its landing capabilities. It is notably equipped with the Mexeflote, a motorized raft that can be used to bring supplies and equipment ashore where there is no port structure with the ship anchored offshore. Very useful in Haiti where more localities hard to reach by road have not yet received much help. which responds to a UN request.

As Defense Minister Bob Ainsworth explains, the emergency (search and rescue) phase is now over, " we need to focus on helping people who have survived but have nothing left ».

A 12-man Liaison and Reconnaissance Team (ORLT) has already deployed to Haiti to assess what specialized military needs are needed.

The British also carried out an exchange of liaison officers with the armies of the USA, Canada and Bermuda. 2 Navy officers will also be on the USS Gunstan Hall, and 2 RAF pilots in the US Air Force.

A protection team of 8 military police was sent to provide consular security. UA C-130 aircraft, with two Land Rovers, is also expected to be deployed.

(photo credit: UK Royal Navy)